What is considered constipation in a newborn?
Constipation is when it's difficult for a baby to poo or when they don’t poo as often as normal. Your newborn may be constipated if they have not pooped more than three times in a week and are presenting some of the symptoms that we covered earlier.
How to help a constipated newborn
Constipation can be uncomfortable for babies, but luckily, there are a few things that parents can do to help their baby poop and get some relief.
Baby massage
Massaging a baby's tummy in a clockwise direction when they're constipated can help get things moving. Make sure that your hands are clean and warm, then lay your baby on their back and gently rub their tummy with your fingertips.
You can also try gently bending their knees towards their chest and holding for a few seconds before releasing. This can help to relieve gas and stimulate bowel movements. It's important to be gentle and not apply too much pressure as babies are delicate and their tummies are sensitive.
Moving their legs
'Bicycling' a baby's legs backwards and forwards while they lie on their back is recommended to help their digestive system work as it should and can help constipated babies release wind, remove uncomfortable trapped gas, and hopefully make it easier for them to poop.
A warm bath
A nice soak in a warm bath can soothe stomach pains and relax a constipated baby's body into releasing trapped poop.
What can you give newborns for constipation?
You should never give your baby laxatives to treat constipation unless your GP prescribes them. The best thing to do is make sure your baby is getting enough fluid from their breast milk or formula feeds.
What causes newborn constipation?
Now that we've covered how you can help your baby if they're constipated, let's take a look at why babies sometimes become constipated in the first place.
A change in diet
If you're breastfeeding, a change in your diet can sometimes influence your baby's bowel movements.
A baby may also become constipated if they switch from being fed breast milk to having infant formula, although this should settle once their body gets used to digesting new things. If you're formula feeding, it's important to follow the on-pack guidelines closely to avoid constipation.
Dehydration
A lack of fluids can make a baby's poo harder and more difficult to push out, and this can lead to constipation. Parents must keep a close eye on their baby’s fluid intake, especially if they’re constipated.
When to seek medical help for newborn constipation
As with all aspects of baby healthcare, you should always trust your parenting instinct if you're concerned that your baby may be constipated, and you should speak to your medical care team as soon as possible if your baby:
- hasn’t passed any meconium 48 hours after birth
- is losing weight
- appears particularly fatigued
- has blood in their poo
