How to Help a Constipated Baby

Did you ever dream that poop would be on your mind this much?! Counting diapers, commenting on their contents, writing down what your baby’s stool looks like…The glamorous life of a new parent! But constipation in infants and babies is a common issue—and something parents need to be aware of. Here’s what you need to know:

What is baby constipation?

Infant constipation is usually marked by hard stools. Your baby may be constipated if they have difficulty pooping, have hard or pellet-like bowel movements, cry when they make a poop, or have infrequent or irregular bowel movement. (Craving more poop knowledge? Learn all there is to know about newborn poop!)

How often should my formula-fed baby poop?

Newborns often have a lot of bowel movements, sometimes dirtying diapers after each feed! But after the first couple of weeks, babies usually settle into a pretty consistent pooping routine. For formula-fed babies, that means often having one to three dirty diapers most days, but don’t be too surprised if they have one no-poop day once in a while. Remember, frequency varies, so don’t be too alarmed if your baby doesn’t quite fit into these pooping parameters.

How often should my breastfed baby poop?

Just like their formula-fed counterparts, breastfed babies produce a lot of poopy diapers during their first few weeks, often moving their bowels after every feeding. Beyond that, bowel movement frequency in breastfed babies can run the gamut! Your little one may dirty their diaper five times a day—or only poop once every few days.

How do I know if my baby is constipated?

Is your baby pooping every day? Great! That is a sign that they’re properly absorbing nutrients and disposing waste. But not pooping daily doesn’t necessarily mean your baby is constipated. (For one, it’s not unusual for an exclusively breastfed baby to have a few poop-free days.) Also, not a sign of baby constipation: a little straining and grunting to get that poo out! For babies, moving their bowels can be a huge effort! After all, their tiny abdominal muscles are still pretty weak. So, what are signs that your baby is constipated? Your little one may be constipated if…