Like Grandma said, "information technology'due south important to stay regular," and that'due south especially truthful for babies. Breastfed babies nearly never get constipated (take hard stools). They may grunt and strain…and even skip a few days between poops (during the showtime couple of months), but fifty-fifty then, the consistency is pasty to loose. Bottle-fed babies on the other hand, can sometimes struggle to pass hard little pieces. Fortunately, a couple of commonsense ideas tin can usually correct the problem and soothe babe constipation.

What is baby constipation?

Infant constipation is usually marked past hard stools. Your infant may be constipated if they take difficulty pooping, accept hard or pellet-like poops, weep when it'south time to poop, or have exceptional or irregular bowel movement.

How often should my infant poop?

Later the first couple of weeks, babies unremarkably settle into a pretty good pooping routine. For canteen-fed babies, that schedule is one to two times a day. Breastfed babies may really skip a day or so in between bowel movements.

How practice you lot know if your baby is constipated?

Is your baby pooping every mean solar day? Great! That is a sign that they're properly absorbing nutrients and disposing waste.

What causes constipation in babies?

Constipation in babies is primarily acquired by diet. Here are some things you might want to hash out with your pediatrician:

  • Infant Formula: The intestines of some babies simply seem sensitive to a item make of formula (or even detail type of preparation—powdered or concentrate).
  • Dairy or Soy Allergy: Babies that take a milk allergy can experience constipation, excessive gas, and other discomforts. A doctor can determine if your babe has a dairy or soy allergy.
  • Change in Diet: Sometimes when babies are given the green light for baby food they can struggle with regularity. Many first-time foods are very starchy and if your baby isn't getting enough h2o this tin lead to poop troubles. Check with your pediatrician on the best first foods to assistance avoid constipation and how much h2o Baby needs in a 24-hour interval.
  • Fe Supplement: Vitamins with iron tin make poops into difficult little black-green colored pellets.
  • Dehydration: If a babe is not getting enough to drinkable, stools can become drier and harder. Information technology's super like shooting fish in a barrel to check for this problem: The inside of the mouth will get dry and sticky; your babe will pee fewer than six times a twenty-four hour period; the urine will go much more yellow and a bit smelly.

Baby constipation remedies and relief:

  • Change Baby's formula. Starting a new formula may resolve constipation. Some infants have softer stools when they drink formula from concentrate versus powder-based (or vice versa). Inquire your infant's doctor for guidance.
  • Slightly dilute the mix. Your baby'south poops may ameliorate when you lot add a tablespoon of organic adult prune juice or one ounce of h2o into the formula, once or twice a day (never dilute formula more than that).
  • Requite a bottle of water. If the conditions is very hot and your babe is showing signs of dehydration, depending on your baby's age, you can requite a few extra ounces of water…just be sure to check in with your doc beforehand.
  • Open the door. Babies trying to poop often have a hard time squeezing the tummy muscles and relaxing the rectum at the same time. They accidentally tighten the anus—when they should be easing it—and consequently, they strain to push button the poop "out the door!" To relax your babe's anus, cycle their legs and gently printing their knees downward to their stomach a few times. If this fails, you lot can insert a Vaseline-greased thermometer or cotton swab—just one-half to one inch—into the anus. Babies usually answer by bearing downwardly to push the object out…ofttimes pushing poop out at the same time.
  • Alter up solid foods. White foods (like rice, grains, dairy, bananas) tin demark a babe upwardly. Just, certain fruits and veggies like broccoli, plums, prunes, prune juice, or fresh aloe juice tin can assistance go pooping back on a regular schedule.

Note: Never give dearest or corn syrup as a laxative, before the first altogether.

What if Baby is passing gas but not stool?

You may notice that your infant is still passing gas but isn't pooping...this probably isn't cause for business organisation. Some babies just get gassy in between poops without being constipated. In most cases, a infant's gas and constipation will resolve on their own. Recollect, a baby'south digestive organization is brand new...so it'due south still getting the hang of how to function.

When is baby constipation a sign of something serious?

The all-time rule is to call your babe's md if more than than 3 days pass without a poop. Call even sooner if your baby has a weak cry, weak suck, or is acting ill.

If constipation is persistent or your baby is acting weak or sick, the medico may want to bank check for three rare issues that can masquerade equally constipation:

  • Hypothyroidism: A totally curable condition caused by an underactive thyroid gland. If left untreated, hypothyroidism is a serious trouble because it may slow mental development.
  • Hirschsprung's disease: This nativity defect occurs when the nerves in the rectum don't develop properly. The baby'due south rectal muscles tightly clamp—unable to relax—which blocks the poop from passing and causes intestinal obstruction. Fortunately, this trouble can be corrected with surgery.
  • Infantile botulism: A rare disease characterized by several days of progressive weakness (starting with the face and neck and potentially leading to total paralysis). It's caused by botulism spores hiding in liquid-y sweets, such every bit honey or corn syrup. These are safe for older children, but should never exist given to babies under 1 twelvemonth of age.

    View more posts tagged, health & safety

    Have questions nigh a Happiest Babe product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Connect with usa at customercare@happiestbaby.com.

    Disclaimer: The information on our site is Not medical advice for whatsoever specific person or condition. It is just meant equally general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your kid or yourself, please contact your health provider.