Baby constipation after starting solids: what is normal and what helps
5 min read
Quick answer
Baby constipation after starting solids is common, because new food changes how poo looks and how often it comes. Your baby may be constipated if they poo fewer than 3 times a week, or pass hard, pellet-like poo with straining or pain. More fluids, fruit and vegetables can help, and a GP can advise.
- Poo usually becomes firmer, smellier and more varied in colour once solids start
- Hard pellets, painful straining or fewer than 3 poos a week can mean constipation
- Offer water with meals, keep milk feeds going and include fruit and vegetables
- Do not give laxatives or juice without advice from your GP or health visitor
- See your GP early if you think your baby is constipated
What does normal baby poo look like after starting solids?
Once your baby starts solids, poo usually becomes thicker, smells stronger and changes colour from day to day. This is expected and not a sign of a problem on its own.
Food often shows up in the nappy. Green vegetables can turn poo dark green and beetroot can turn it red. You may also spot whole bits, such as pea or sweetcorn skins and tomato peel, because your baby's gut is still learning to break new foods down.
If poo becomes very runny, watery or full of mucus, the AAP suggests offering less solid food and introducing new foods more slowly. If that carries on, talk to your GP.
Signs of constipation in babies
Constipation is about poo being hard and difficult to pass, not just about how often it comes. Your baby may be constipated if:
- They have done fewer than 3 poos in the past week, or far fewer than usual for them
- Their poo is large and hard, or comes out as small dry pellets
- They strain or cry in pain when pooing, or strain for more than 10 minutes without passing anything
- There is a little blood in or on hard poo
- They are off their food, or have tummy pain that eases after a poo
Is straining normal for babies?
Some straining can be. Many babies grunt, go red in the face and even cry while they poo, and the AAP says straining on its own is not necessarily a worry. The NHS does list straining or pain when pooing among the signs of constipation, so look at the poo as well. Soft poo that comes out in the end is reassuring. Hard or pellet-like poo, or a baby who seems in pain, is worth getting checked.
Why can starting solids cause constipation?
Common causes of constipation in young children include not eating enough high-fibre foods, such as fruit and vegetables, and not drinking enough.
Occasionally constipation can be a sign of a food allergy. Other signs can include a rash, eczema flaring or being sick. A reaction to cows' milk can take up to 3 days to appear. If you suspect a food, talk to your GP or health visitor rather than cutting it out yourself.
What helps baby constipation after starting solids?
Small changes to food and drink are the usual first step.
- Keep breast or formula feeds going as normal
- Offer a few sips of water in a cup at every meal
- Formula-fed babies can have extra water between feeds; under 6 months it must be cooled boiled water
- Include fruit and vegetables at each meal, such as pureed prunes, pear, cooked apple or soft broccoli
- Offer other fibre-rich foods, such as porridge oats, wholemeal toast fingers and mashed beans or lentils
- Give your baby plenty of time to move and play on the floor each day
Can I give my baby juice or laxatives for constipation?
Only on advice. In the UK, laxatives are often part of treatment for babies who are eating solids, but a GP should recommend them and the dose.
UK and US advice differ on juice. The NHS says babies under 12 months do not need juice. The AAP usually advises no juice before 12 months, but says a little apple or pear juice can help a constipated baby. Ask your health visitor or GP before trying it.
When to see a GP about baby constipation
If you think your baby is constipated, the NHS advises taking them to a GP and getting help early, because the longer constipation goes on, the harder it can be to fix.
Go sooner if there is blood in your baby's poo, if pooing is clearly painful, if they are off their food, or if constipation comes with other signs of allergy. Call NHS 111 if you are worried and cannot reach your GP. If your baby seems seriously unwell, call 999.
Sources
We check this guide against these sources. It is general information, not medical advice: speak to your health visitor, GP or paediatrician about your own baby.
Questions parents ask
How often should a baby poo after starting solids?
It varies a lot between babies. Some poo several times a day and others every couple of days. What matters most is that the poo is soft and comes out without pain. Fewer than 3 poos in a week, especially if they are hard or pellet-like, can point to constipation.
Is it normal to see bits of food in my baby's poo?
Yes. Undigested pieces such as pea and sweetcorn skins, tomato peel or bits of carrot are very common once babies eat solids, because their digestion is still maturing. Colour changes from foods like green vegetables or beetroot are normal too. Very watery poo or poo full of mucus is worth mentioning to your GP.
Can I give my baby fruit juice for constipation?
Check with your health visitor or GP first. The NHS says babies under 12 months do not need juice, while US advice from the AAP allows a small amount of apple or pear juice for a constipated baby. Pureed prunes or pear mixed into food are an easy option you can try first.
Can constipation be a sign of a food allergy?
Sometimes. The NHS lists constipation among possible signs of a food allergy, along with others such as a rash, eczema getting worse, being sick or diarrhoea. Reactions to cows' milk can take up to 3 days. If you notice a pattern with a food, talk to your GP or health visitor rather than removing it yourself.
Should I keep giving solids if my baby is constipated?
Yes, but think about what is on the plate. Offer plenty of fruit, vegetables, oats, beans and lentils, along with water at meals and usual milk feeds. These are the changes most likely to soften poo. If your baby is still uncomfortable, or you are worried, see your GP.