How do i know if my baby is constipated?
A baby who is completely breastfed rarely gets constipated. Breast milk is almost totally digested. After the first few weeks, a fully breastfed baby may go as long as a week between bowel movements. Newborns and infants may grunt and get red in the face when having a bowel movement. This does not mean they are constipated. Babies differ in how often they have bowel movements. After the first few weeks, some newborns will have stools every day. Others will go for days without a bowel movement. Constipation may be evident if stools are dry and hard or if your baby has difficulty passing them. If constipation continues for more than a week, or if there is fresh blood in the baby’s stools, see your health care provider or call HealthLink BC at 8‑1‑1. Do not use laxatives, suppositories, or enemas unless a health care provider prescribes them.
