Baby Constipation: What's Normal and What Helps

Constipation is about texture, not timing

• Breastfed babies may poop after every feed, or, after about 6 weeks, only once a week or less. If the poop is soft when it comes, that's normal.
• Formula-fed babies usually go at least once a day or every other day, with stools like peanut butter.
• Constipation means hard, dry, pebble-like or large stools that hurt to pass, sometimes with a streak of blood from a small tear.

Straining isn't always constipation

Young babies often grunt, turn red and cry for several minutes before a soft poop. This is called infant dyschezia: they're learning to relax the right muscles while pushing. It usually ends by 6-9 months. Avoid "helping" with a thermometer or swab, which can delay that learning.

Common triggers

• Starting solids, especially rice cereal, bananas and lots of dairy.
• Switching formula, or moving to cow's milk at 1 (see the cups and milk guide).
• Too little fluid in hot weather or during illness.
• In toddlers: holding poop in because it once hurt, potty training pressure, or busy days.

What helps, by age

Under about 1 month: talk to the pediatrician before trying anything.

1 to 6 months: - Gentle tummy massage in a clockwise circle, bicycle legs, and a warm bath. - Make formula exactly as the label says. Don't add extra water or extra powder. - The pediatrician may suggest a small amount of 100% prune, pear or apple juice for a short time. Ask how much for your baby's age.

6 to 12 months: - Offer pureed or soft prunes, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, peas and beans. - Choose oat, barley or multigrain cereals instead of rice cereal. - Offer a few sips of water in a cup with meals.

Toddlers: - Fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains every day, plus water. - Keep cow's milk to 16-24 oz (475-710 mL) a day. - Regular, relaxed potty sits after meals with feet supported on a stool. - Pause potty training if poop is painful.

Things to avoid

• Laxatives, suppositories, enemas or mineral oil unless the pediatrician recommends them.
• Herbal teas or home remedies with unknown ingredients.
• Corn syrup is no longer recommended.

When to check in

• Mention it at a checkup if hard stools keep coming back, or your toddler withholds and dreads pooping. Long-term constipation is common and very treatable.
• See the pediatrician the same day for a newborn who hasn't passed a first stool by 48 hours, constipation with vomiting, a swollen belly, poor feeding, or white or very pale stools.
• If a baby vomits green fluid or has a hard, swollen belly and seems very unwell, call 911 or go to the ER.