What Should I Do When My Child is Constipated?

What is constipation?

Hard, dry stools in "pellets" or "hard balls

Is my child constipated if she doesn't have a BM every day?

A bowel movement every day is not necessary. Some infants go daily; some have BMs only twice a week. As you get to know your baby, you will become familiar with her pattern. It is normal for a baby to strain or turn red and grunt when she has a BM. As difficult as this may be to watch at first, it does not mean she is necessarily constipated or in pain.

Remember: Stools change color and consistency when you start your baby on solid foods.

What can you do?

• If stools are hard and dry, give your baby an extra two to four ounces of water a day.
• If this doesn't help, try four ounces of diluted fruit juice once a day. Any fruit juice with the letter "P" in it is good-prune juice works especially well. If your baby is taking solid foods add an extra serving of fruit.

Call your doctor or nurse practitioner if:

• The BMs are red or black
• Your child has no bowel movements for five days
• Your child is in pain

Adapted from Healthy Steps. Edited and Compiled by the Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care 2011