Question
A full-month-old baby, completely breastfed, has not pooped in the past two days. The baby is experiencing abdominal swelling and persistent crying. Please provide handling suggestions.
Answer
For babies who are completely breastfed, it’s normal for them to have a bowel movement infrequently, sometimes even every few days. The nutrients in breast milk are fully absorbed by the baby, which can sometimes lead to longer intervals between bowel movements. Here are some recommended measures: give the baby more water, do not lay the baby down immediately after feeding, but instead hold the baby upright, with their head resting on your shoulder, and gently pat their back with your palm for about ten minutes. This helps the baby expel the air they have inhaled and increases the likelihood of burping.