Newborn Pooping Problems: What's Normal And What's Not?

Newborns can have trouble pooping due to a condition called dyschezia, which means difficulty pooping. In newborns, this is usually due to a lack of muscle coordination, and they may strain, grunt or cry for 10 to 30 minutes before passing normal stool. This is not usually a cause for concern, as it is a learned reflex and they will typically figure it out within a week or two. However, it is important to monitor your newborn's diapers as they can provide insights into their health and hydration levels.

Newborns not pooping but passing gas

When to Worry

If your newborn baby (under the age of 6 weeks) is not pooping at all or very rarely pooping, see your doctor immediately. Although rare, a lack of pooping can indicate an underlying health issue. Other symptoms to look out for include:

• Blood in your baby's stool.
• Your newborn arching their back as if in pain.

When Not to Worry

It is normal for a newborn to poop less frequently as they get older. As long as your baby is feeding as expected and gaining weight (1 to 2 pounds a month), don't worry about the number of poops.

Breastfed babies may not poop every day as their body uses up almost all the components of breast milk for nutrition, leaving very little to be eliminated. After the first 3 to 6 weeks, they can go a whole week without a poop.

Formula-fed babies should poop at least once every couple of days, but this can vary, with some babies going every day and others going several times a day.

What to Do

If your baby is passing gas but not pooping, there are some home remedies you can try with your doctor's permission:

• Liquids: If your baby is over 6 months old, give them a few ounces of water.
• Food: If your baby is eating solids, feed them fibre-rich foods like puréed prunes, sweet potatoes, or fruits to help pass the stool.
• Exercise: Move your baby's legs in a bicycle motion to help rev their digestion. You can also try holding your baby up so they are "walking" in your lap.
• Massage and a warm bath: Try massaging your baby's stomach and body to help them relax and get their digestion moving.
• Medications: If changes in feeding, diet, or exercise don't help, your doctor might recommend an infant glycerin suppository.

Dyschezia

Infant dyschezia is a condition where infants struggle with the muscle coordination necessary to poop. They may grunt, cry, or scream while trying to poop, but they are not in pain. Infant dyschezia usually resolves on its own within a week or two as the baby figures out the coordination.

How often should a newborn poop?

The frequency of a newborn's bowel movements depends on several factors, including their age, diet, and whether they are breastfed or formula-fed.

During the first few days of life, newborns typically pass meconium, a black, sticky, tar-like substance. After this initial period, newborn bowel movements transition to a lighter, runnier stool, which may be light brown, yellow, or yellow-green in colour. At this stage, breastfed newborns tend to have several bowel movements each day, while formula-fed newborns may have fewer.

As newborns get older, the frequency of their bowel movements can vary significantly. Some newborns may poop every time they eat, while others may only poop every few days or even once a week. This variation is considered normal, as long as the baby is feeding as expected and gaining weight.

Breastfed newborns tend to poop more frequently than formula-fed newborns. After the first few weeks of life, breastfed babies may start having fewer bowel movements, sometimes only one or two a week. Formula-fed babies usually continue to poop daily, but this can range from once every couple of days to several times a day.

It is important to monitor your newborn's diapers, as they can provide valuable information about their health, hydration, and nutrition. If you notice any concerns or significant changes in the frequency, consistency, or colour of your newborn's poop, it is always best to consult your paediatrician or doctor.

What baby poop colours are cause for concern?

The colour of a baby's poop can be a good indicator of their health. While it's perfectly normal for a baby's poop to vary in colour, there are some colours that may be cause for concern.

Red Poop

Red poop is usually a sign that there is blood in the stool. This could be a symptom of allergies, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, or an anal fissure. It may also be caused by cracked or bleeding nipples if the baby is being breastfed. If you see blood in your baby's poop, contact your doctor immediately.

Black Poop

Black poop in newborns is perfectly normal and healthy. This is called meconium, and it is the first stool that a baby passes, usually within the first 24 hours of life. Meconium is thick, sticky, and black or dark green in colour, and it is made up of cells, amniotic fluid, bile, and mucus that the baby ingested while in the womb. However, if a baby continues to have black poop after the first few days of life, it could be a sign of bleeding in the digestive system, and you should seek medical advice.

White or Pale Poop

White or pale-coloured poop is uncommon and could indicate a liver problem, such as jaundice or liver disease. If your baby's poop is white or very pale, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Green Poop

Green poop is usually not a cause for concern and can be caused by various factors such as slow digestion, green foods in the diet, a cold or stomach bug, food allergies, or antibiotics. However, if the green poop is accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss or illness, it may be a sign of an infection or other health issue, and you should consult your doctor.

Yellow, Orange, or Brown Poop

These colours are all considered normal and healthy for a baby's poop. Breastfed babies typically have yellow or green poop, while formula-fed babies may have poop that is slightly darker and firmer, ranging from light brown to orange.

What to do if your baby is constipated

Constipation in infants can be worrying for parents, but it's important to remember that it's a common issue that often resolves on its own. If you suspect your baby is constipated, there are several things you can do to help them.

Identify the Signs of Constipation

Firstly, it's important to identify the signs of constipation. Constipation in babies is characterised by infrequent bowel movements, hard and dry stools, and difficulty passing them. Straining while passing a stool is common, but if your baby is crying while straining, it could be a sign of constipation. Other signs include a red face, grunting, and crying during bowel movements.

Home Remedies

If your baby is over six months old, you can give them a few ounces of water to help with constipation. For babies who are eating solids, try incorporating more fibre-rich foods into their diet, such as pureed prunes, sweet potatoes, or fruits. You can also try exercising your baby's legs in a bicycle motion or holding them in a "walking" position in your lap to stimulate their digestion. A warm bath and a gentle tummy massage in a clockwise direction can also help relax your baby and get their digestion moving.

Medical Treatments

If home remedies don't seem to be working, it's important to consult your baby's healthcare provider. They may recommend infant glycerin suppositories or other medications to help with constipation. Do not give your baby any laxatives, enemas, or stool stimulators without first consulting a doctor.

When to Seek Medical Help

If your newborn baby (under six weeks old) is not pooping at all, seek medical advice immediately. Additionally, if your baby of any age has been constipated for more than five to seven days or is showing other symptoms such as vomiting, bloating, or blood in their stool, contact your healthcare provider.

What is meconium?

Meconium is the name given to a newborn baby's first poop. It is dark, thick, sticky, and blackish-green in colour. It is made up of water, cells, hair, mucus, protein, fats, and intestinal secretions, like bile.

Meconium is formed when a fetus swallows amniotic fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds and cushions the baby inside the uterus. The water part of the amniotic fluid is absorbed as it passes through the fetus's intestines, leaving a sticky, tar-like substance that becomes meconium. This substance builds up inside the baby's intestines and usually passes within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth.

It is ideal for meconium to be passed shortly after birth, but in some cases, a fetus will pass meconium before birth. While swallowing meconium is safe, breathing it in can cause serious respiratory problems and even lead to death. This condition is called Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS). MAS can cause respiratory distress, infection, and other serious complications. It occurs when meconium gets into the lungs and irritates the airways, injuring the lung tissue and blocking surfactant, a fatty substance that helps open the lungs after birth. MAS can be treated with oxygen, a ventilator, inhaled nitric oxide, or an ECMO machine, which pumps blood from the body through an artificial lung. Most babies with MAS recover within a few days or weeks.

Frequently asked questions