AboutMary Pat, R.N. Expertise I am happy to answer general non-diagnostic questions on infant & child care, infant & toddler feedings, discipline, illnesses, and how to access resources for the child with special needs.
Experience I am a pediatric nurse, an R.N. with 40 years experience first as manager of a community hospital pediatric department & 11 years working in a private pediatric practice. I have managed more than 100,000 phone calls from parents in private practice.
Question My 3-months old baby boy does not seem to know how to pass motion. His stools are soft and normal but he just doesn't know how to push it out himself. We brought him to see a pediatrician who taught my wife to use some Vaseline on a cotton bud to rub gently into the anus. She did that and it worked. However, it has now been the only way that we can get him to pass motion. Is there something wrong with him? Should we be concerned?
Answer Dear Daniel:
Sometimes when you are in the habit of stimulating a baby to have a bowel movement they become dependent on that stimulus in order to move their bowels. My suggestion would be to wait it out. He doesn't have to move his bowels every day. If he skips a day to two it's okay. Wait and see what he can do on his own. Stop the anal stimulation for now and give him more time.
If this does not work you should be back in touch with his doctor.
