Tim likes to joke that my favorite way to start a sentence since Elle was born is "I'm worried that ..." This can be followed by anything from "Elle isn't sleeping enough" to "the washer is going to die soon" to "it might rain on Sunday." I consciously tried to stop this way of thought and this sentence construction. Apparently, I've changed it - Tim says I now start with "I'm worried about ..."
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| Elle visits with friends at Applebee's ... but does not use the facilities. |
But one of the things I never imagined saying was "I'm worried that ... Elle hasn't pooped in five days."
It isn't uncommon for breastfed babies to go several days between poos. For a few weeks when Elle was about 2-3 months old, she had a few 5-6 day stretches. I was a bit alarmed, having gone from Super Regular Baby to Constipated Baby in an instant. But we haven't gone more than two days without No. 2 appearing in her diapers for several months. And this week, for whatever reason, I've been especially aware of it ... or rather, the absence of it. I usually warn the sitter when I leave for work: "Elle hasn't pooped yet today." This week, though, it has been nearly headline news: "BABY FULL OF CRAP: Poop still no where to be seen." And each day, I expected to come home and see "dirty diaper" listed on our Log 'o Baby. Each day, it was "wet diaper" after "wet diaper."
She hasn't seemed super uncomfortable, and for that, I am thankful, but I have to hope that this dry spell comes to an end soon.
Some friends from my mommy/baby group shared stories of their babies going 7-10 days without a bowel movement. One woman told us of a friend who had a baby who only pooped every seven days - but on that seventh day, they knew better than to make plans to do anything or go anywhere, because the day was all poop, all the time.
Elle usually, uh, *catches up* when things eventually get going again. I had high hopes that she'd make good use of her quality time with Daddy this weekend ... alas, we are approaching my two days off with her, and it looks like I'll be doing a lot of smelly diaper changes on my weekend.
this post particularly made me laugh because my mother in law is a pediatric nurse. she is the one who answers when you call the doctor to ask the nurse a medical question. you have no idea how many people call about poop and it drives her nuts. she always says, if the baby is happy, let her be; the baby will poop sooner and will not explode!! solids threw off my baby's poop a bit but it seems to be getting back to normal.
ReplyDeleteEmmett was one of those "Every 7-10 Days" poopers. It was awesome, except when he actually pooped. For like four MONTHS he blew out every single time he pooped, no matter what kind of diaper he was wearing. Once he went 14 days, and he was really fussy that last day before the Poopocalypse struck.
ReplyDeleteAlas, it all goes to hell as soon as they start solids...
I so clearly remember going through this with Emily... It even made our (at the time) running list of "You know you are a parent when... " It read something like, "You know you are a parent when you cheer for poop!" LOL Enjoy every minute, and every stage - even (or maybe especially) the weird ones! ;-)
ReplyDeleteShe totally seems fine with the pending explosion :) Valli, whoa - two weeks?! And I totally groaned when you mentioned the solids connection. Oh goody. Nancy, that's exactly how Tim and I are - it is hilarious how that little girl has changed us.
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