A guide to help manage your baby’s constipation

Trying to pass hard poo can be uncomfortable and even painful for babies, just as it is for adults. Constipation in babies is common, with around 15% occasionally experiencing an episode of constipation. ¹ 

As your baby grows, their digestive system undergoes dramatic changes. The cause is typically dietary but may also be due to the immaturity of a baby’s growing digestive system. So, if your little one is finding it hard to poo, don’t worry too much as the symptoms of constipation are usually easy to spot and manage.

A newborn baby’s first poo is a dark green, tar-like substance called meconium. Surprising but also normal. After this, there’s a big range of ‘normal’ when it comes to the look, smell, and frequency of baby poo.

Some babies poo several times a day, and some poo only a few times a week or even less. This is normal. As your baby grows and develops, you can expect changes in poo, frequency, colour, consistency and smell – also normal.

Constipation can be common in babies. It can be a dietary issue, or it could simply be because their digestive system is still developing. Other signs of constipation include very smelly poo or wind, a hard belly or decreased appetite.

If you’re concerned that your baby might be constipated, you can check their poo consistency in our Poo Tracker. It can help you have an easier conversation with your healthcare professional if needed.

Keep in mind that just because your baby hasn’t done a poo every day doesn’t mean they are constipated – some babies might have several days between a bowel movement, and that’s not cause for concern.

As your baby’s digestive system and diet change so does their poo. Although there is huge variability, here’s a general guide of what to expect after their first five days:

·       Breastfeeding – soft (even runny) consistency, mustard or yellow orange but sometimes green, sweet smell.

·       Breastfeeding + formula feeding – generally firmer consistency, yellow/yellow-green colour.

·       Formula feeding – generally firmer consistency, dark yellow/brown colour.

·       Solid foods – becomes firmer consistency and smellier, can look as if some solids are undigested (this is usually normal).

Some babies poo a surprising number of times a day while others poo much less often. Infrequent pooing doesn’t always mean constipation. Your baby may go several days without a poo before easily passing a well-formed poo. 

As general guide:

0–3 months~                3–5 months~          6+ months~

6 poos/day              4 poos/day                 Every 1 to 3 days

Constipation is when the poo is hard and dry and may look like little pebbles. This kind of poo is difficult for your baby to push out, which can be upsetting for your baby.

Constipation is more likely to happen in formula-fed babies. It usually happens when the formula has been made with too little water or if the total fluid amount per day is insufficient. Babies might also get constipated when they start solid food. This normally sorts itself out in a few weeks.

The symptoms of constipation in babies include infrequent poos, hard poos and/or difficulty or pain when pooing. Other signs which could indicate constipation:

·       Crying or looking distressed before doing a poo.

·       The poo or wind smells particularly bad.

·       Your baby starts to feed or eat less.

·       Their belly feels hard.

If your baby is having problems with painful, hard poos, these practical suggestions might help:

·       Medications for infants with constipation are not recommended unless they’ve been prescribed or recommended by a healthcare professional.

·       If you’re formula feeding, check that you’re making up the formula correctly and that you’re not adding too much powder or too little water. You can also speak to your healthcare professional about suitable specialist formulas for the dietary management of constipation.

·       Check your baby is drinking enough milk (fluid) per day for their age and weight. You can chat with our Careline dietitians and nutritionists or speak to your healthcare professional about this. 

·       If your baby is on solids, offer extra water between meals. You can also try incorporating more pureed fruit and vegetables – stewed prunes and green kiwifruit can help.

·       Try gently moving your baby’s legs in a cycling motion or massaging their tummy.

·       For more information, check out 5 top tips to help manage constipation.

Remember there is a lot of difference in the consistency and frequency of poo in babies and children. You only need to worry if your little one’s poo seems to be causing them a problem. If you have any concerns about your baby’s poo or questions about constipation, please speak to your GP or healthcare professional.

Keeping track of your baby’s poo using the Poo Tracker will help you to document your baby's poos and provide useful information when speaking to your GP or healthcare professional.

The information in this article is general only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. Only consult your GP or healthcare professional for medical advice.