This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. If in doubt, contact your paediatrician or midwife.
Baby Constipation
True constipation in babies is shown by hard, dry stools and pain during bowel movements — not by infrequent stools alone. Fully breastfed babies can go up to 10 days without a bowel movement.
Possible Causes
- 1Switching from breast milk to formula
- 2Introduction of solids (especially banana, carrot, rice)
- 3Insufficient fluids
- 4Formula: wrong mixing ratio (too concentrated)
- 5Rarely: cow's milk protein intolerance
What You Can Do
- Offer more fluids (water from solids age)
- Fibre-rich solids: pear, prune, broccoli
- Tummy massage clockwise
- Cycling movements with legs
- Warm bath for relaxation
When to See a Doctor
- Blood in stool or on nappy
- Baby cries with every bowel movement and tenses up
- Bloated, hard abdomen
- Constipation in baby under 1 month → always investigate
- Vomiting together with constipation
- No stool and meconium not within first 48 hours (newborns)
Age-Specific Notes
Newborns: Meconium must come within the first 48 hours. Fully breastfed babies: Can go up to 10 days without a bowel movement — as long as stool stays soft, this is NORMAL. Formula babies: Should have at least every other day. Solids age: Most common time for constipation due to diet change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for my breastfed baby to go 7 days without a bowel movement?
Can I give my baby prune juice?
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This article is for general information only. It does not replace individual medical advice. If you have concerns, contact your paediatrician, midwife, or call emergency services.