Pedemy All toolsTap your child’s age and what you notice. You will see if it sounds like constipation, what helps at this age, and when to call.
This tool helps parents tell whether their baby or child is constipated, and what to do. Tap your child’s age, what you notice, and any warning signs.
It explains normal poop patterns (for example, breastfed babies may go several days between soft poops, and babies often grunt and strain before a soft poop), safe steps at home by age such as more fluids, fiber and toilet time after meals, and daily fiber and water goals.
It also lists when to call the doctor and when to go to the ER, such as green vomit or a swollen, hard belly. Advice follows the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) and the NIH.
Signs include hard, dry or pebble-like poop, pain or pushing hard to poop, pooping less often than usual (for example fewer than 3 times a week), holding poop in, and sometimes poop stains in the underwear. A baby who grunts and strains but passes soft poop is usually not constipated.
Offer water through the day, more fiber from fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains, and limit milk to about 2 to 2½ cups a day. Have your child sit on the toilet for 5 to 10 minutes after meals with feet on a stool. Ask the doctor before using any laxative.
Go to the ER for green or yellow-green vomit, a swollen, hard belly with vomiting, or very bad belly pain. Call the doctor for a baby under 1 month with hard poop or no poop, blood in the poop, fever, weight loss, or constipation lasting more than 2 weeks.
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