Nightime Poop

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Nightime Poop

by Sarah
(Waterford, MI, Oakland)

My 11 month old son has been waking up screaming at night again. I have found that he is waking at 12am because he has pooped, I get his diaper changed and get him back to sleep. Then at 3:30am he is waking again, same thing he just finished pooping he gets a bottle this time because it's the only way to make him stop screaming and I get him back to sleep.

Is there some way to redirect when he poops? I know it's a weird question, but I'm desperate to get him to sleep through the night and he wants to. He wakes so tired and you can tell he just wants to sleep.

Baby Help Line Response:

Hi Sarah!

Is there any chance that you have added too much fiber to your son's diet? Quite often when babies get more fiber than their young stomachs can handle they start pooping often and at weird times.

Is he getting some kind of whole grain foods, like cereal for example? Often some kind of whole grain cereal is recommended from 8 months or even earlier, but in my experience many babies are not ready for whole grain products until well over the age of 1 year, even 18 months.

Could that make a difference for him?

/Paula

Comments for
Nightime Poop

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May 13, 2008

too much fiber
by: Sarah

I appreciate the feedback, he does get cereal, but it's the same rice and oatmeal by gerber he's been getting since he was 3 months old. I'm not really sure where he might be getting too much fiber from.

May 15, 2008

Ok, What About Other Foods?
by: Paula

Ok Sarah!

Then it is probably not to do with his diet unless you can related the start of his nighttime pooping with the introduction of some foods.

Maybe you could still use his food as a means to change his habits... This is just an idea, but what about giving him foods that hardens the stools (unless he is prone to constipation) or the opposite, whichever should work best, to simply change his schedule.

Just a thought!

Moms! Anyone else who have experiences the same situation and have some tips to share?

/Paula

May 19, 2008

10 month old also poops during night
by: Anonymous

Yes! My baby has been waking during the night between 4 and 5 with a huge poopy mess. She usually poops before bed at 7.

I am thinking it is because of the food she eats. But she seems to like all the food and didn't have a reaction before. I give her pureed kale, broccoli, chard, lentils, rice, avocado....maybe she is having too much greens?

But I also feed her bananas and rice- foods that are binding. Should I stop feeding her the green foods? They are so healthy though and she loves them. Not sure what to do.

Any advice would be helpful. thanks!