Ask the Pediatrician…My Newborn has not Pooped in Three Days

Question: Hi Dr. Katie! First off, I just want to say how much I love Forever Freckled.  I read all your articles and really appreciate the great advice and guidance. I have a 3 week old and she hasn’t pooped in three days!  She was always pooping at least three to four times a day.  I am currently breastfeeding, but started to introduce a little bit of formula to her diet.  Do you think it is the formula? At what point should I be concerned? She doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable. Thanks so much!

Answer:  Thank you so much for your kind words and congratulations on your new baby. The unfamiliarity of the frequency and consistency of newborn poop can be great source of stress for many parents. The reality is that no two babies have the same pooping pattern. Some babies will poop after every feed while others will only have a bowel movement two to three times a week. Babies that are breastfed will poop more frequently than a formula fed baby. So it is possible that the introduction of formula may have change her pooping pattern. However, it is not necessarily important how often a baby poops but rather what the poop looks like. If it is soft and pasty, it is a good sign that your infant’s digestive tract is working well. If their stool is hard balls, there is a good chance that they are experiencing some constipation. If your baby is happy then their stool patterns should be less of a concern. However, if he or she seems uncomfortable or unhappy, it is important to consult his or her pediatrician. I hope this helps you with your journey!