Constipation

Is this constipation something to worry about?

Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC guidelines

Editorial policy

Last reviewed:

Key takeaways

  • Go to the ER if: tell your medical team now
  • Call your doctor if: call your pediatrician today
  • Usually safe to monitor at home: likely normal - no action needed
  • When in doubt, call your pediatrician — they would rather hear from you than have you worry alone

How old is your baby?

This is not medical advice. When in doubt, always call your pediatrician.

Quick Reference Guide

Call 911 / Go to ER

  • Tell your medical team now

    A newborn who has not passed meconium within 48 hours needs evaluation. This can be a sign of Hirschsprung disease or other intestinal conditions that require prompt diagnosis.

    • If still in the hospital, alert your nurse or doctor immediately
    • If already discharged, call your pediatrician right away or go to the ER
    • Note the time of birth and confirm no stool has been passed
    • Do not give any laxatives, suppositories, or home remedies

  • Call your pediatrician now

    Significant blood in or mixed with stool needs prompt evaluation. While a small streak on a hard stool is usually a minor anal fissure, larger amounts can indicate an allergy, infection, or other condition.

    • Call your pediatrician immediately
    • Save the diaper or take a photo to show the doctor
    • If your baby also has vomiting, a distended belly, or is lethargic, go to the ER
    • Do not give any medications unless directed by a doctor

  • Go to the ER now

    Vomiting combined with a swollen, hard belly and no stools can be a sign of intestinal obstruction. This is a medical emergency that needs immediate evaluation.

    • Go to the emergency room now
    • Do not give anything to eat or drink unless directed by a doctor
    • Note when the last stool was passed
    • Note when vomiting started and whether the vomit looks green (bile)

Call Your Pediatrician

  • Call your pediatrician today

    Your baby seems uncomfortable and is having trouble with feeding. Your pediatrician can advise whether they need to be seen and may recommend safe interventions.

    • Call your pediatrician during office hours or the after-hours line
    • Do not give laxatives, enemas, or suppositories without your doctor's guidance
    • Tummy massage in a clockwise direction may help - gentle circular motions around the belly button
    • For babies on solids, offer high-fiber foods like prunes, pears, or peas
    • Bicycle leg movements can help stimulate a bowel movement

  • Call during office hours

    Persistent constipation deserves a call to your pediatrician. They may want to see your baby or can suggest safe remedies over the phone.

    • Call your pediatrician during their next office hours
    • Track when your baby has stools and what they look like
    • Try gentle tummy massage and bicycle leg movements
    • For formula-fed babies, ask your doctor about switching formulas
    • For babies on solids, increase fiber with pureed prunes, pears, or peas
    • Do not use home remedies like honey, corn syrup, or mineral oil without asking your doctor

Monitor at Home

  • Likely normal - no action needed

    Many babies grunt, strain, and turn red before passing a stool, even when the stool itself is soft. This is called infant dyschezia and is a normal part of learning to coordinate their muscles. Breastfed babies can also go several days between stools and be perfectly healthy.

    • This is normal and usually resolves on its own by 3-4 months
    • No treatment is needed if stools are soft when they come
    • Do not use rectal stimulation routinely - it can create dependency
    • Call your pediatrician if stools become hard, dry, or pellet-like
    • Call if your baby seems truly in pain (not just straining)

  • Monitor at home

    Occasional hard stools can happen, especially when starting solids or changing formula. As long as your baby is eating and growing well, you can try some simple measures at home.

    • Ensure adequate fluid intake - extra water for babies over 6 months
    • For babies on solids, offer high-fiber foods: prunes, pears, peas, oatmeal
    • Tummy massage and bicycle legs can help
    • Call your pediatrician if constipation lasts more than 5 days or if you see blood
    • Do not give laxatives or suppositories without your doctor's guidance

Constipation — When to Seek Care Decision Guide

Urgency: Emergency / ER

Scenario: Tell your medical team now

What to Do: A newborn who has not passed meconium within 48 hours needs evaluation. This can be a sign of Hirschsprung disease or other intestinal conditions that require prompt diagnosis.

Key Actions: If still in the hospital, alert your nurse or doctor immediately; If already discharged, call your pediatrician right away or go to the ER; Note the time of birth and confirm no stool has been passed; Do not give any laxatives, suppositories, or home remedies

Urgency: Emergency / ER

Scenario: Call your pediatrician now

What to Do: Significant blood in or mixed with stool needs prompt evaluation. While a small streak on a hard stool is usually a minor anal fissure, larger amounts can indicate an allergy, infection, or other condition.

Key Actions: Call your pediatrician immediately; Save the diaper or take a photo to show the doctor; If your baby also has vomiting, a distended belly, or is lethargic, go to the ER; Do not give any medications unless directed by a doctor

Urgency: Emergency / ER

Scenario: Go to the ER now

What to Do: Vomiting combined with a swollen, hard belly and no stools can be a sign of intestinal obstruction. This is a medical emergency that needs immediate evaluation.

Key Actions: Go to the emergency room now; Do not give anything to eat or drink unless directed by a doctor; Note when the last stool was passed; Note when vomiting started and whether the vomit looks green (bile)

Urgency: Call Doctor

Scenario: Call your pediatrician today

What to Do: Your baby seems uncomfortable and is having trouble with feeding. Your pediatrician can advise whether they need to be seen and may recommend safe interventions.

Key Actions: Call your pediatrician during office hours or the after-hours line; Do not give laxatives, enemas, or suppositories without your doctor's guidance; Tummy massage in a clockwise direction may help - gentle circular motions around the belly button; For babies on solids, offer high-fiber foods like prunes, pears, or peas; Bicycle leg movements can help stimulate a bowel movement

Urgency: Call Doctor

Scenario: Call during office hours

What to Do: Persistent constipation deserves a call to your pediatrician. They may want to see your baby or can suggest safe remedies over the phone.

Key Actions: Call your pediatrician during their next office hours; Track when your baby has stools and what they look like; Try gentle tummy massage and bicycle leg movements; For formula-fed babies, ask your doctor about switching formulas; For babies on solids, increase fiber with pureed prunes, pears, or peas; Do not use home remedies like honey, corn syrup, or mineral oil without asking your doctor

Urgency: Monitor at Home

Scenario: Likely normal - no action needed

What to Do: Many babies grunt, strain, and turn red before passing a stool, even when the stool itself is soft. This is called infant dyschezia and is a normal part of learning to coordinate their muscles. Breastfed babies can also go several days between stools and be perfectly healthy.

Key Actions: This is normal and usually resolves on its own by 3-4 months; No treatment is needed if stools are soft when they come; Do not use rectal stimulation routinely - it can create dependency; Call your pediatrician if stools become hard, dry, or pellet-like; Call if your baby seems truly in pain (not just straining)

Urgency: Monitor at Home

Scenario: Monitor at home

What to Do: Occasional hard stools can happen, especially when starting solids or changing formula. As long as your baby is eating and growing well, you can try some simple measures at home.

Key Actions: Ensure adequate fluid intake - extra water for babies over 6 months; For babies on solids, offer high-fiber foods: prunes, pears, peas, oatmeal; Tummy massage and bicycle legs can help; Call your pediatrician if constipation lasts more than 5 days or if you see blood; Do not give laxatives or suppositories without your doctor's guidance

Based on AAP and CDC symptom management guidelines. Always call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.

Frequently asked questions

When should I take my baby to the ER for constipation?
Tell your medical team now: A newborn who has not passed meconium within 48 hours needs evaluation. This can be a sign of Hirschsprung disease or other intestinal conditions that require prompt diagnosis.. Call your pediatrician now: Significant blood in or mixed with stool needs prompt evaluation. While a small streak on a hard stool is usually a minor anal fissure, larger amounts can indicate an allergy, infection, or other condition.. Go to the ER now: Vomiting combined with a swollen, hard belly and no stools can be a sign of intestinal obstruction. This is a medical emergency that needs immediate evaluation..
When should I call the doctor about baby constipation?
Call your pediatrician today: Your baby seems uncomfortable and is having trouble with feeding. Your pediatrician can advise whether they need to be seen and may recommend safe interventions.. Call during office hours: Persistent constipation deserves a call to your pediatrician. They may want to see your baby or can suggest safe remedies over the phone..
When can I monitor constipation at home?
Many babies grunt, strain, and turn red before passing a stool, even when the stool itself is soft. This is called infant dyschezia and is a normal part of learning to coordinate their muscles. Breastfed babies can also go several days between stools and be perfectly healthy.. Occasional hard stools can happen, especially when starting solids or changing formula. As long as your baby is eating and growing well, you can try some simple measures at home..

Bottom line

Most cases of constipation in babies can be managed at home with monitoring. Seek emergency care if you notice tell your medical team now. When in doubt, call your pediatrician.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.

All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.

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