When To Worry About Constipation
Its important to know that kittens vary greatly in how often they go to the bathroom. While a kitten should pee every few hours, they may pass stool anywhere from 1 to 6 times a day, depending on the kittens age, care, and GI health.
Sometimes, a kitten may even go 24 hours without pooping. If this happens, dont panicbut do keep an eye on them and focus on trying to help them go potty. If they havent pooped in more than 48 hours, thats when youll definitely want to head to a veterinarian for further assistance. If the kitten has any signs of discomfort such as straining, bloating, crying in the litter box, lethargy, or distension, veterinary care should be sought.
What Can Cause Infant Constipation
Constipation is rare in young babies, particularly in those who are not yet eating solid foods. Itâs more likely to occur in your baby once you introduce solids. Your babyâs pattern of bowel movements will vary depending on his age and what heâs eaten recently.In very rare cases, your babyâs constipation may be caused by an underlying condition, such as Hirschsprung’s disease, hypothyroidism, or cystic fibrosis. Contact his healthcare provider if you think your baby has constipation due to of any of these conditions, or if you have any questions about your baby’s symptoms.
How Can I Tell If My Baby Is Constipated
It seems like my baby has trouble passing his poop. His face usually turns red and sometimes he grunts or makes other noises. He has BMs regularly, but I’m still concerned. Could he be constipated? Keisha
It’s normal for infants to strain when they’re having a bowel movement . Pooping is more of a challenge for them because they are lying flat, so don’t have gravity to help move things along.
At first, breastfed babies tend go more often than formula-fed babies because breast milk is more easily digested. At around 36 weeks of age, though, breastfed babies may start having fewer bowel movements, sometimes only one or two a week. Formula-fed babies usually continue to have daily BMs.
Your little one probably isn’t constipated if the stool is soft, no matter how often the bowel movements happen or if your baby strains to pass them.
Babies who cry when having a bowel movement or have hard or pebble-like poop might be constipated. In that case, talk to your doctor, who may recommend giving your baby a little extra water or a small amount of 100% fruit juice to soften hard poop. Never give your baby laxatives, suppositories, or enemas unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- vomiting
Recommended Reading: How To Make Your Newborn Fall Asleep
What Are Some Home Remedies For Baby Constipation
If your baby becomes constipated once heâs started on solid foods, check in with your healthcare provider, who may recommend any of the following changes or additions to his diet to help relieve constipation:
-
Water. If your baby is over 6 months old , offer him a little water in a sippy cup with his meals. This shouldnât replace breast milk or formula, however.
-
Fruit juice. A few ounces of 100 percent fruit juice such as apple, pear, or prune juice can also help your baby. These juices contain sorbitol, which works like a natural laxative.
-
Certain fruits and vegetables. Once your baby is eating solid foods, give him pureed foods such as prunes, pears, peaches, and peas. These can help with constipation since they contain more fiber than other fruits and vegetables.
-
Infant cereals. Try feeding him whole-wheat, barley, or multigrain infant cereal once he is eating solid foods. These three types contain more fiber than rice cereal and may help get things moving.
If the above dietary changes havenât given your baby relief, contact his healthcare provider again for guidance.
Why Would I Need To Make A Newborn Puppy Poop
Now that you know how a newborn puppy poops, you might be wondering why you would need to make them poop. There are actually a few different reasons for this, including:
Don’t Miss: How Often Should A Newborn Poop On Formula
How Long Can A Baby Go Without Pooping
In some cases, longer than you might think. While many little ones poop every day, its possible and not necessarily something to panic about if a baby goes 24 hours without pooping and even up to a full week without a bowel movement.
Since exclusively breastfed babies sometimes use up every bit of breast milk towards energy production, its not unusual for them to sometimes go up to seven days without pooping.
But formula-fed babies, babies whove started solids, and toddlers tend to poop more often than that. For them, going more than two to four days or so could be a sign of constipation, provided theyre also straining to go and generally seem uncomfortable.
That said, every child is different, and some babies and toddlers simply go a little longer in between, well, going, than others. So pay attention to whats typical for your little one.
If she often goes two or three days in between poops, constipation might not pop up on your radar unless shes been BM-free for four days. But if your child normally goes like clockwork every single day, you might watch for signs of constipation after a day or two without poop.
You Might Worry Your Newborn Isnt Pooping Enough Keep In Mind Every Baby Is Different
The number of times a baby poops seems to be one of the first ways we start comparing our babies to a standard. Every babys body is different. Even if their older sibling pooped at a different frequency, that doesnt mean your newest baby will be the same way.
Dont worry too much about how often your baby is pooping unless they show theyre showing several of the symptoms of constipation.
Remember, very hard, black stools or the presence of blood or no bowel movements in excess of 5 days requires a checkup from your pediatrician.
A little about me
Hi, I’m Sarah
Mum of two outrageously gorgeous and ridiculously energetic toddlers A.K.A. not so little, Littllees. Im determined to give them the best without losing my mind. I reckon its possible. Most days.
I love a challenge and have to find out they why, what or how to there are rather a lot of these when it comes to kids
I also love, love, love things to be neat and tidy and just so. The Littlees normally have other ideas!
Intrigued? Read on for more on what to expect at Busy Blooming Joy.
Looking for something?
Also Check: How To Properly Bottle Feed A Newborn
What Can You Give Your Baby For Constipation
If changes in your babyâs diet havenât given him relief from constipation, your babyâs healthcare provider might recommend an infant glycerin suppository, which is placed in your babyâs rectum. These types of suppositories are meant to be used only occasionally, and shouldnât be overused. Do not use mineral oil, enemas, constipation medicine, or any stimulating laxatives to treat your babyâs constipation. Always follow your healthcare providerâs advice.
When To Call The Doctor
- Your baby is irritable and seems to be having abdominal pain.
- You see blood in your baby’s stool.
- Your baby’s constipation does not improve with current treatment.
If you have any questions or concerns, call your baby’s doctor at ___________________.
HH-I-14 7/84, Revised 3/14 Copyright 1984, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
You May Like: What To Do For Congested Newborn
Can Babies Fart When Constipated
Babies can also fart if constipated. Sometimes you might even notice an increase in farting as your baby attempts to push out the bowel movement but only passes gas.
Trapped wind and excess gas is not necessarily a sign of constipation, baby may just be exceptionally gassy. For gas causes and remedies check out:
How Can You Tell If Your Baby Is Constipated
If you suspect your baby may be constipated, ask yourself the following questions:
-
Is she more fussy than usual?
-
Is she spitting up more often?
-
Is she having significantly fewer bowel movements than at other times?
-
Are her stools harder than usual, and/or are they bloody?
-
Does she strain for longer than 10 minutes when she needs to poop but still not pass anything?
If you answered âyesâ to any of these, your little one may be constipated.
Read Also: How Much Should S Newborn Eat
How Long Can Your Baby Go Without Pooping
The frequency of your babyâs bowel movements can vary from day to day, and every baby is different. A baby who is consuming formula tends to poop at least once per day, but itâs possible for her not to poop for a day or two without necessarily being constipated.In the early weeks, breastfed babies may poop more often since breast milk is easily digested, but at around 3 to 6 weeks old breastfed babies may start having fewer bowel movements, with as little as one or two per week, but still not be constipated.
How To Help Newborn Constipation
It can be so difficult when you newborn baby doesnt poop easily and some newborn babies struggle with constipation. It often results in grunting, squirming and pain in your little one but what is regarded as natural and when is it classed as constipation?
Grunting Baby Syndrome
Does your baby grunt, squirm, cry and go red faced whilstpooping? This is known as Grunting Baby Syndrome or to give it its medicalname, Infant Dyschezia. This is a normal part of development. It doesnt meanthat they are in pain, especially when they do pass their stools its nice andsoft.
We take it for granted when we sit on the toilet and just go. But actually it takes a lot of coordination between our brain, muscles and pelvic floor. Babies need to learn to poop efficiently and they will get there as their digestive system matures and works efficiently. In the meantime, rest assured its perfectly normal for your newborn baby to find it difficult to poop. Offer a comforting touch and a reassuring smile. Try to refrain from anal stimulation as you will be delaying their learning process.
Pooping schedules
Hard stools
The consistency of baby poop is often determined by how theyare fed. A breastfed baby usually has mustard coloured loose stools and a formula fed baby has harder, darker stools.
What causes newborn constipation?
A baby is born with an immature digestive system sosometimes their bowels are slow to get moving as it requires brain to body communicationto work effectively.
You May Like: How Frequently To Bathe Newborn
How Can I Treat Newborn Constipation
Constipation can be a hard cycle to break, but when the poop gets tough, the tough gets going! Here’s how you can get rid of the constipation in newborn babies:
- If you have introduced bottle, make sure the formula milk is luke warm when you feed your baby. Breast-milk already has the perfect temperature.
- Hold your newborn’s feet and move them gently as if s/he is riding a bicycle. The pressure between his/her thighs and tummy may trigger the bowel movement.
- Massage the tiny belly gently in circular motion, ideally with some warm baby oil .
- Measure three-fingers’ width down the newborn navel area. Gently press it till you feel a firm spot/ mass. Continue pressing it for a couple of minutes, then release. Your baby may fart and/or pass stool after this.
- Brown sugar works great to relieve newborn constipation . Whether your baby is newborn or is few months old, dissolve some brown sugar in one ounce of water and give it to him/her through a dropper .
- Glycerin Suppository is the 100% proven way to get the poo moving! I tried it with my newborn . It is inserted in the rectum and within half an hour a bulk of stool is out! However, only use it if you have tried all the things stated above. If you make a habit of giving a suppository every time your baby is constipated, the tiny body will get used to it.
A Word On Newborn Poop Colors
The color of your newborns poop will change rapidly during the first few weeks as baby becomes accustomed to digesting milk.
MECONIUM DAYS 0-2
Meconium is very dark, thick and sticky like tar. Its a combination of amniotic fluid, bile and intestinal secretions thats excreted while baby starts to
TRANSITIONAL POOP DAYS 2-4/6
Combination of meconium and the first milk stools. Its dark green or brown, softer than the earlier poops and still sticky
BREASTFED NEWBORN POOP COLOR BY END OF WEEK 1 AND ONWARDS
Mustard yellow color, runny with the consistency of mustard or cottage but may firm up a little over time
FORMULA-FED NEWBORN POOP COLOR BY END OF WEEK 1 AND ONWARDS
Yellow or greeny brown with a thicker consistency, think smooth peanut butter
If your newborns poop returns to the very dark, thick meconium color or consistency, is black or bloody then thats an indication of severe constipation or worse so a trip to the pediatrician is the way to go.
More on newborn poop colors here.
Read Also: Why Do Newborns Get Fussy At Night
How To Tell If Your Baby Is Constipated
Newborn bowel movements vary from one baby to another depending upon their milk intake and body. Some babies pass stool many times a day while some can hold the stuff in for as long as 3 days. If you are breastfeeding, you may notice a frequent newborn bowel movement as compared to that of a fully formula-fed baby.
Your newborn is constipated if…
- He hasn’t had a bowel movement for 3 days or more.
- Even if he has passed stool, the stool is dry and harder than normal and the baby finds it difficult to pass it. You may find your baby making disgruntled faces while passing stool.
- Sometimes after days of “dry spell”, you notice a watery stool and may confuse it with diarrhea. It is actually one of the symptoms of constipation in newborns, i.e., liquid stool seeps out of the blockage in the small intestines and end up in the diaper.