Newborn Not Pooping? Here's What You Need To Know

Newborns usually poop frequently, but this slows down as time goes on and their digestive system settles. However, if you are breastfeeding, your baby may not need to poop as their body may be using up all the nutrition they are taking in. If your baby is formula-fed, they should poop at least once every couple of days. If your newborn is not pooping at all or very rarely, see a doctor immediately. In rare cases, not pooping can be a sign of an underlying health issue.

Diet changes

Breastfed Babies

Breast milk is a natural laxative, so it is rare for breastfed babies to get constipated. However, if your baby is constipated, it could be due to something in the mother's diet. Your paediatrician may recommend eliminating certain foods, such as dairy, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and eggs, to see if they are causing the issue.

Formula-Fed Babies

If your formula-fed baby is constipated, it could be due to a sensitivity to one of the formula ingredients, such as cow's milk or iron-fortified formulas, leading to lactose intolerance. In this case, you may need to switch to a different formula.

Solid Foods

Once your baby starts eating solid foods, their diet may need to be adjusted to help with constipation. It is important to include natural sources of fibre, such as fruits and vegetables, to aid digestion. Fruits like bananas, pears, and plums are excellent sources of fibre, along with small sips of 100% fruit juice. These foods provide necessary nutrients and promote healthy bowel movements.

Water

If your baby is over six months old, you can give them a few ounces of water to help with constipation.

Prunes

Prune juice can also help with constipation. For babies over six months old, start with 10ml of diluted prune juice (half prune juice and half water) and increase as needed. For babies over nine months old, you can also try giving them stewed prunes or apricots.

Lack of fluids

One of the main reasons why newborns may not poop is a lack of fluids in their body. This is more common in formula-fed babies, as breast milk is easier on the digestive system and can act as a natural laxative. However, it's important to note that even breastfed babies can become constipated if they are not getting enough fluids.

Newborns should have at least one meconium poop within 24 hours of being born. After that, it's normal for a newborn to go a few days without pooping, especially if they are breastfed. Formula-fed babies tend to poop at least once a day, but some may go 3-4 days without a bowel movement. If your baby hasn't pooped in more than 5 days, it's a good idea to consult your doctor.

To help relieve constipation due to lack of fluids, you can try giving your baby a small amount of fruit juice (such as apple or pear juice) or chamomile tea, with your pediatrician's approval. Once your baby is older than 6 months, you can also offer extra water and fruit or vegetables to boost their fluid and fibre intake.

In addition to dietary changes, you can try some gentle massages on your baby's tummy, warm baths, and moving their legs in a bicycle motion to help stimulate bowel movements.

New foods

Constipation can be caused by a lack of fluids. There are various reasons why your baby may not be getting enough fluids: they may be teething and finding it uncomfortable, they may be ill (like a cold, a throat or ear infection, for example), or they may simply not be drinking enough fluids with their food if they are older. Lack of fluids can make your baby's poo harder and more difficult to push out.

In older babies, constipation can be caused by not getting enough fibre in their diet. Some good sources of fibre include fruit, vegetables and cereals. Apples, pears and prunes are particularly good for constipation.

If your baby is on solids, make sure they're getting enough fibre and that they are drinking enough water.

Digestive issues

Constipation is when a baby's stool is hard and dry, making it difficult for them to pass. It is more common for bottle-fed babies to experience constipation than breastfed babies. Changes in diet can also cause constipation, such as switching from breast milk to formula or starting solid foods.

Symptoms of constipation:

• Hard, dry stools
• Straining to pass a stool
• Excessive crying or irritability
• Severe straining or turning red without pooping
• Small, hard stools
• Dry stool
• Loss of appetite or feeding less than usual
• Bloody stool
• Bloating or a swollen belly

What to do if your baby is constipated:

• Consult your doctor or child health nurse for advice.
• Try home remedies such as massage, warm baths, exercising the baby's legs, or changes to their diet.
• Medications: If home remedies are not effective, your doctor may recommend suppositories or laxatives.

When to seek medical help:

• If your newborn baby (under 6 weeks old) is not pooping at all, consult a doctor immediately.
• If your baby is older than 6 weeks and has not had a bowel movement for longer than a week, contact your doctor.
• If your baby is in pain, has bloody stools, or shows other concerning symptoms, seek medical advice.

Other digestive issues:

In addition to constipation, other digestive issues that can affect newborns include gassiness and diarrhoea. Gassiness is common in newborns and is often not a cause for concern unless it is accompanied by pain or discomfort. Diarrhoea can be identified by pooping more than once per feeding or stools that become increasingly watery. If you notice these signs, consult your baby's doctor or pediatrician.

Illness

In rare cases, a newborn's constipation may be caused by an underlying health issue. If your baby is not passing meconium (the first poop) within 48 hours of birth, this could be a sign of a more serious medical problem.

Other signs that your newborn's constipation may be caused by an illness include:

• Ribbon or pencil-thin stools
• Developmental delay or poor growth
• Fever, vomiting, rash, or lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Bloody stool
• Pain that doesn't go away with usual constipation remedies
• Inability to sleep

If your baby is showing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with your doctor as soon as possible. They can assess your baby and recommend safe strategies or medical treatments to help with constipation.

Additionally, in extreme cases, rare illnesses such as problems with nerve endings in the bowel, issues related to the spinal cord, or other metabolic disorders can cause constipation. However, babies are routinely checked for these conditions as part of their regular health checks, so it is usually not something to be overly concerned about. Always consult with your healthcare provider if you have any worries or notice that your baby is in pain when passing stool.

Frequently asked questions