Constipation means having fewer poops (bowel movements) than usual or having dry or hard poops. In babies, the condition usually gets better with changes in diet.

Here's some advice to help with your baby's constipation.

If your baby is eating solid foods, offer foods that are high in fiber, such as:

• Pureed prunes, peas, pears, squash, broccoli
• Mashed avocado
• Whole-wheat, rye, or multigrain baby cereals

If your healthcare provider recommends it, give your baby apple, prune, or pear juice:

• For babies younger than 4 months, ask your healthcare provider how much is OK.
• For babies 4–8 months old, give 2–3 ounces each day. Babies over 8 months old can take up to 6 ounces a day.
• If possible, give the juice in a small cup. Even young babies can drink from a cup. Or you can give the juice in a bottle or mix it with your baby's usual formula or breast milk.
• Use 100% fruit juice. Don't use fruit juice with added sugar.
• Don't give juice longer than one week. Too much fruit juice can lead to your baby not getting the nutrition they need or diarrhea or other problems.

If your baby is straining to poop, it may help to:

• Massage their belly.
• Give them a bath to help them relax.
• “Bicycle” their legs or bend their knees up toward their chest a few times.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for:

• How often you should breastfeed or how much formula your baby needs
• Giving any medicines. Usually, medicines aren't needed, but occasionally healthcare providers may recommend a suppository (medicine put into the bottom to soften the poop). Only use a suppository if your healthcare provider specifically recommended it.

Important reminders:

• Do not give your baby extra water or mix it with juice unless your healthcare provider specifically recommended it. Giving babies too much water or juice can make it hard for them to get the nutrition they need and cause health problems.
• Do not give your baby a laxative (medicine taken by mouth to “push out” the poop).
• Do not give your baby an enema (liquid that's put into the bottom to help the poop come out).
• Do not put anything in your baby's bottom to try to remove the poop.
• Do not give your baby mineral oil. If your baby breathes it in, it can cause serious lung problems.

Your baby:

• Doesn't poop within two days after following your healthcare provider's instructions
• Has blood in their poop or in their diaper
• Doesn't want to eat or starts to vomit
• Doesn't seem to be gaining weight
• Gets better, then gets constipated again
• Seems to be in pain while pooping or taking a long time to poop

Your baby:

• Has a hard, swollen belly
• Is crying much more than normal or seems to be in a lot of pain

What causes constipation in babies? Constipation in babies can happen after they start to eat solid foods. It may also start while a baby is recovering from an illness or after taking certain medicines.

Do babies need to poop every day? No, it's normal for some babies to not poop every day. Breastfed babies can sometimes go a week or more between poops. Even if a baby strains or doesn't poop every day, if the poop is soft, the baby probably isn't constipated.