What are the symptoms of infant constipation? And what's the best way to treat it?
Answer From Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Symptoms of constipation in young children include:
- Painful passing of baby poop, also called stool.
- Hard stool that's either larger than typical or small pellets that are difficult and painful to pass.
- Passing hard stool with blood on its surface.
- Passing stool less often than usual. Often that means passing stool fewer than one time a day. But with babies, it's not that simple.
Newborns typically pass stool every day for the first month or two. After that, some babies pass stool less often. And babies that take in formula tend to pass stool less often than do babies taking in breast milk. Just as in older children and adults, healthy patterns of passing stool can vary among babies.
Straining or grunting while passing stool is typical for babies. But if an infant is straining each time or cries and seems to be in pain, that may be a symptom of constipation.
If your newborn seems constipated, changes to your infant's diet to soften stool may help.
Water or fruit juice.
For babies age 1 month and older who are constipated, try adding a small amount of water or fruit juice to the diet. Water is usually best to try first, but apple or pear juice contains a sweetener called sorbitol that helps relieve constipation. You can try prune juice for that same reason if your baby is older than 3 months. Your healthcare professional can guide you on how much fruit juice to give. But limiting juice to less than 4 ounces (120 milliliters) may be suggested.
Fiber-rich foods
For babies with constipation who have started eating solid food, try adding more fiber to the diet if they aren't taking in suggested amounts for their age. Examples of foods with fiber are beans, peas, and fruits such as prunes or pears.
Help the bowels move
Along with trying diet changes, you can help a constipated baby by gently massaging the baby's tummy. You also can hold your baby's knees to the baby's chest to mimic a squat position, then release. Another option is to gently move the baby's legs as if the baby were riding a bike.
When to get help for infant constipation
After a few days, if your baby is still having trouble passing stool, contact your baby's healthcare professional.
Treatment for infant constipation includes medicine called a suppository, which is placed in the anus. Other medicines may be taken by mouth, such as a liquid or a powder you mix with liquid. Don't use mineral oil, stimulant laxatives or enemas to treat infant constipation.
Contact a healthcare professional right away if your baby is constipated and:
- Has a swollen belly.
- Throws up or has a fever.
- Won't eat and seems unusually tired.
In very rare situations, these symptoms plus constipation are linked to serious illnesses, such as Hirschsprung disease, celiac disease or cystic fibrosis.
Show References
- Altmann T, et al., eds. Abdominal/gastrointestinal tract. In: Your Baby's First Year. 5th ed. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2020. https://www.aap.org/en/shopaap. Accessed Sept. 6, 2024.
- Constipation (baby). Pediatric Patient Education. https://publications.aap.org/patiented. Accessed Sept. 6, 2024.
- Altmann T. Pooping. In: Baby & Toddler Basics: Expert Answers to Parents' Top 150 Questions. 2nd ed. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2023. https://www.aap.org/en/shopaap. Accessed Sept. 6, 2024.
- Mulhem E, et al. Constipation in children and adolescents: Evaluation and treatment. American Family Physician. 2022; https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/0500/p469.html. Accessed Sept. 6, 2024.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Sept. 18, 2024.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/infant-constipation/faq-20058519