Doc said I’m producing too much?

Question

Baby is 3 weeks. I only pump once a day just before bed. Baby eats every 2 hours. Occasional spit ups. But last 2 days baby has been fussy, straining to poop with nothing coming out. 
She said baby’s belly is distended because he’s too full because he’s eating too much and I need to pump more to see how much I’m producing(which I know is wrong) and I over produced last child, I’m not trying to start that again...
She said to give him a half ounce of water between feedings to see if it helps him poop. Which I don’t think is right either. 
I thought breastfed babies didn’t over eat....
Suggestions, help, tips to get this baby pooping comfortably- lmk! Thanks!

Answer

I’m a pediatric dietitian and all the physicians I work with agree - NEVER give an infant water. Their metabolisms are very sensitive to electrolyte changes and giving them so much water could be harmful.
There are natural, non med ways to help your baby poop. Try laying them on their back and making a bicycle motion with their legs, or Google the “I love you” or “rainbow” belly rub for infants. You could also try some rectal stimulation with a wipe for 20-30 seconds. None of this will create an immediate bowel movement but will hopefully get things going.
Meds you’re on or something in your diet might be causing the slowdown, but it’s not from getting “too much” breast milk.
And find a new pediatrician 🙂

Answer

Breastfed babies can over eat. That’s maybe the only thing that the doctor may have been right on. 
Everything else is get a second opinion. I can’t fathom ever giving a 3 week old baby water. If he eats every two hours, a half ounce in between feedings adds up to 6 ounces of water a day?! For a three week old!!

Answer

Get a 2nd opinion! Because water is a definite NO! How stupid is she

Answer

Yea and I second the never give a baby water. That can kill them. Why horrible advice?! Find a new pediatrician

Answer

She sounds nuts. It's totally normal for ebf babies to not poop for several days. Definitely get a second opinion.

Answer

You’re baby will stop eating when your baby is full and him nursing every 2 hours is normal. Find a new a doctor I don’t believe anything they said!

Answer

I agree with what everyone else said. And also breastfed babies can go up to 10-14 days without a bowel movement. I remember my first went 8 days one time. We just had a lot of blowouts. And gas drops helped along with tummy rubs, bicycling legs and baths.

Answer

To the best of my understanding you aren’t meant to give breastfed babies water at all until at least 6 months- I was told its actually really dangerous for them.

Answer

Gripe water always worked for my first end baby who had poop troubles. One dose would usually result in 6-8 big blowouts. Then we just started giving it every 2-3 days to ward off any constipation and got regular BMs from there. Definitely no water! And I've always heard they'll just spit up anything they eat over what they need. 🤷

Answer

If your baby seems a bit constipated then adjust your diet

Doc said I’m producing too much?

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