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Newborn Constipation – What is Normal?

When parents bring home a new baby, they’ll be excited and worried all at once. Everything will be questioned as to whether it’s normal or cause for concern: feeding, sleeping habits, even diaper habits. When it comes to bowel movements, some parents are unsure of what is normal and what is considered newborn constipation.

Depending on whether your baby is breast or bottle-fed, frequency and consistency of bowel movements will vary. Breastfed babies will pass stools up to five times per day, while bottle-fed babies will be less frequent. In fact, it is not entirely unusual for a baby to pass stools once a week, especially after the first month of life. It may seem like a long period in between bowel movements, but as long as your baby doesn’t appear uncomfortable and stools have a normal consistency, it’s unlikely there’s a problem.

Knowing what is normal and what isn’t with your baby is essential to recognizing a problem. Babies generally grunt and scrunch up during a bowel movement, so while it may appear as though they’re in pain, it’s a normal response to a bodily function. However, if the baby’s stool appears hard and concentrated, constipation may be a problem. If the baby is bottle-fed, a change of formula may alleviate the issue. Additional water between feedings or adding dark fruit juice (such as prune) to the formula can also help the situation. If these do not work, a lubricated rectal thermometer or a small piece of a glycerin suppository can be used.Finally, many mothers report success with laying the child down and gently massaging their tummy in a circular motion.

If none of these remedies bring your baby relief, or if your baby is showing abdominal bloating, consistently hard stools, or seems to be experiencing sustained discomfort, consult your pediatrician or general practitioner.