If I increase the fiber in my diet, will it help my breastfed baby poop more often?
Sep 06, 2010 in
Diet Questions and Answers
I have a 7 week old who only poops every 3-4 days. I know for bf babies it’s normal for them to space their poops out, but she seems uncomfortable. She gets red in the face, her grunts are very loud and she does cry a little at times when she’s bearing down.
I was wondering if I increase the fiber in my diet if this will help her have more bowel movements?
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
2 comments
Chel on September 6, 2010 at 10:12 am
Actually, if you increase the fiber in your diet, it may make her feel worse. Fiber is a "bulk" item. It’s not broken down when digested, so it cannot be passed through your breastmilk to your daughter. Foods high in fiber can make you gassy though, and that in turn can make your baby gassy also. When you notice her in discomfort, try doing baby belly massages or gently moving her legs as though she is riding a bicycle. This can help her pass the gas and get the bowels moving.
Dyot on September 6, 2010 at 10:12 am
"If I increase the fiber in my diet, will it help my breastfed baby poop more often?"
No. But there is no need. Her stool is soft when she does poo, yes?
Poo and gas are a novelty to newborns and it is totally normal for them to freak out when dealing with painless farting and pooing; it involves a complex set of muscle movements (tense this, loosen that). She’ll be fine with it before long.
Of possible interest: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/index.html
You must be logged in to post a comment.