Babies may be prone to constipation, but it may be a difficult problem to diagnose.  There is nothing normal about a baby’s bowel movement schedule.  Your baby may have a bowel movement every day, every other day or every time she eats.  As you become more in tune with your baby, you will know what is regular and normal for her.

Mother bottle-feeding baby boy

Constipation is considered when the baby’s bowel movement is causing significant pain or discomfort, which is when the stool becomes too hard to easily pass.

Some other possible signs of constipation in your baby include not having a bowel movement in more than three days or they are showing obvious discomfort.

What are the causes of constipation in your little one?

• Formula: it is possible that something in the formula is causing the constipation.  Breast milk is a balance of fat and protein, so it usually keeps stools soft and easy to pass.  If you think formula might be the culprit, try switching brands.  There are some formulas that are advertised to be easily digestible.

• Introduction of foods:  Solid foods could be causing constipation.  The first food that you introduce is rice cereal which is low in fiber and may lead to constipation.

• Dehydration. This can be possible even in the littlest babies.  Their system needs to replenish with fluids, just as an adult.  If the baby is dehydrated, her system will respond by absorbing more fluid from whatever she eats or drinks, including from the waste in her bowels. The result is hard, dry bowel movements that are difficult to pass.  However, as you normally do not give babies water, you should consult your physician if this may be the problem.

• A medical condition or illness. Though it’s uncommon, constipation can be caused by an underlying medical condition such as hypothyroidism, some metabolic disorders, and some food allergies. If your baby passes hard, painful stools, you’ll want her doctor to check her out, just to make sure.

How can you relieve your baby’s constipation?

• Massage your baby’s belly. Apply gentle but firm pressure with your fingertips on their belly.  Press until you feel a firmness or mass. Maintain gentle but constant pressure for about three minutes.

• Switch formulas.  If you feed your baby formula, ask her doctor about switching to a different brand. Some babies are less constipated on soy formula.

• Switch cereals.  Try barley or oat cereal or add pureed fruits or vegetables to her regular cereal, once your baby is ready for them.

• Once your baby is eating a variety of solid foods, ask her doctor if you can boost her fiber intake by adding a teaspoon of bran to her cereal. Cut down on constipating foods like rice, bananas, and cooked carrots, and try mixing her cereal with a little bit of apple or prune juice or a few tablespoons of pureed prunes, apricots, or pears to help loosen her bowel movements.

• Increase the amount of fluid your baby drinks to help keep her stools soft.  If your baby is older than 2 months, you can give her 1 ounce of prune juice diluted with 1 ounce of water, twice a day. As her constipation improves, you can cut back.  You should always consult with your doctor.

With all conditions related to your new baby, you should feel free to contact your pediatrician for advice.