Constipation
Constipation is when your baby’s poo becomes hard and becomes difficult to pass. They may go several days without having a poo, their poos may look like firm dry pellets that do not soak into their nappy and they may become very unsettled. Fortunately, constipation is usually easy to treat at home. Your baby is not constipated if their poo is soft, even if they have not had a dirty nappy for 1 or 2 days.
There's no 'normal' when it comes to how often babies poo. Breastfed babies rarely get constipated because breast milk contains a natural laxative. They tend to have yellow-coloured seedy poos that are often quite soft. Newborn breastfed babies may poo after every feed. Older breastfed babies may go up to a week without pooing. Formula-fed babies tend to have bulkier poos and generally go several times a day; this reduces as they get older. You'll quickly get used to your baby's bowel movements, so you'll be able to tell what's normal for them.
If you are formula feeding, make sure you use the correct number of scoops of formula to water according to the packaging.
It is normal for babies to strain and look like they are trying to poo more often. This is not usually a sign of constipation but just them getting used to the feeling of poo/wind forming and moving through their bowel.
What causes constipation in babies?
There are a variety of reasons why your baby could be constipated, including a lack of fluids (dehydration). There are various reasons why your baby may not be getting enough fluids – it could be down to illness. Lack of fluids can make your baby's poo harder and more difficult to push out.
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
When should you worry?
If your baby has any of the following:
- Dark green vomit
- Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Breathing that stops or pauses
- Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up or very sleepy
- Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the glass test)
- Has a temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or or call 999 - dial 999.
If your baby has any of the following:
- Your baby does not pass their first poo in the first 2 days of life
- A very swollen tummy
- Their bottom (anus) looks abnormal
- Not gaining weight
- Poos that are very pale in colour
- Blood in poo
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
- Poor feeding (less than half of their usual amount)
- Irritable (Unable to settle them with cuddles, toys or feeding)
- Getting worse and you are worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If none of the above features are present
- Continues to feed well
- Has plenty of wet nappies
- Baby wakes up or cries regularly for feeds
- Additional information is available about infant crying and how to cope
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your baby, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.
Advice and Guidance
Self care and Prevention
Here are some tips on helping relieve constipation at home:
- Lie your baby down and gently move their legs like they're riding a bicycle – this can help get things moving. If your baby is happy lying down, give them a gentle tummy massage
- If your baby is bottle-fed, try giving them some extra water (cool boiled or sterile water) between some of their feeds
- Breastfed babies do not need extra water but should be offered additional breastfeeds instead
It may take a few days to get things moving again, but if things do not improve, speak to your health visitor or GP surgery.
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