Poo Bear

Everyone always told me that I would never talk about poop as much as I would when I had a baby.

And it's so, so true. Tune out here if you don't want to hear a tale of two poops.

For the first few weeks, it was all about how many times he pooped. Was it still black? Or was it green or yellow? Are there seed-like things in it? I found myself incredibly happy when the color changed to the "mustard" yellow that the lactation specialist described was a healthy poop for a newborn on breast milk.

At that age, there was poop all the time. Every feed, I changed his poopy diapers. But then, one day, he only went a couple of times. And the next, he only went once. And then - strangest of all - he went a day without going at all.

I had read that eventually babies stop going so often, and start going once a day or once every few days. After three days, I started to worry, but a regular visit to the pediatrician allowed me to ask. She gave me a sheet that said that breastfed babies can go up to seven days without dropping a single deuce. So, I felt better. And the next morning, he surprised us with an epic bomb that literally bubbled out of his diaper through the leg holes. (Let that image sink in....)

But after that, it was three days, then four, then five. The doctor had told me if he went more than three days, to call her. We had started him on apple juice (half an ounce, twice a day, diluted with water). I had tried taking his temperature rectally (joy of joys). He wasn't upset, and his stomach wasn't distended, so I assumed the constipation wasn't really bothering him. But if I hadn't gone in five days, I know I would feel pretty icky.

So, we visited the pediatrician again. She checked him over and said that he seemed to be okay, but she was as concerned as I was, considering his history of not getting enough nutrition. She told me to try prune juice and dark Karo syrup, and if he hadn't gone by Wednesday (a full 8 days since his last poo-splosion), to go get him x-rayed. She went ahead and wrote the order just in case.

But, glory of all glories, this morning as he nursed for second breakfast, his bottom began a-rattlin'. I think it went on for a good 3-5 minutes, and his eyes were staring widely at the wall while he grunted and nursed his way through the task. (Sidebar: Can you imagine eating or drinking while dropping some kids off at the pool? I mean, it seems counterproductive, but whatever...)

It went up into his armpits. Impressive. I barely got the outfit off of him without getting it all over his face. I was able to wash him off, get him dressed and then rinse out everything that was befouled without much incident. I'm pretty proud of myself, I have to say. And I'm hoping this doesn't become habit. I'd much prefer to clean up a dirty diaper every day than one of these every 7. Yuck.

Now, to make up for all the poo talk, here is an adorable picture I took of him a few weeks ago.

You're welcome.




- Jennifer