Constipation in Breastfed Babies – 6 Natural, Quick Remedies

Constipation in breastfed babies can be confusing and worrying for parents—especially when every little change in your baby’s poop feels like a red flag. The good news? True constipation is actually rare in exclusively breastfed infants, though it can sometimes appear once solid foods are introduced. What many parents mistake for constipation is often just a normal variation in stool frequency. Still, when your little one seems uncomfortable or strains during bowel movements, it’s natural to wonder if something is wrong.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about constipation in breastfed babies—from what’s normal, to common triggers, natural remedies, and when to seek medical advice. You’ll also learn how your diet as a breastfeeding mom may affect your baby, what foods can cause constipation once solids begin, and expert-backed ways to help your little one find relief quickly and gently.

Can Breastfed Babies Get Constipated?

True constipation in a breastfed baby is actually pretty rare. Most babies who nurse exclusively don’t struggle with hard stools, because breast milk is so easy to digest. That said, when you start introducing solid foods, constipation can sometimes show up. Baby poop has a wide range of what’s considered normal, so don’t worry if your little one’s stools look different from day to day.

Constipation Signs in Breastfed Babies

Constipation looks a little different in babies than in older children. Here are some common signs that may mean your baby is constipated:

• Stools that are dry, hard, or look like small pellets
• Crying or straining when trying to pass a bowel movement
• A hard, bloated, or distended belly
• Drawing their knees up toward the tummy as if in pain
• Fewer wet diapers than usual, which can signal dehydration
• A dry mouth or lips
• Excessive fussiness or crying, especially around feeding times
• Disturbed or restless sleep
• Refusing to breastfeed or showing less interest in feeding
• Poor weight gain or even weight loss in severe cases
• Occasional vomiting, especially if constipation is causing discomfort

If you ever notice blood in your baby’s stool, or if your baby has a fever along with constipation, call your pediatrician right away. These can be signs of something more serious that needs medical attention.

6 Natural Remedies for Constipation in Breastfed Babies

#1. Nurse Often

One of the best ways to help a breastfed baby poop is simply to nurse more often. Breast milk acts like a gentle, natural laxative, and frequent feedings can get your baby’s digestive system moving again.

#2. Avoid Water

It’s important to avoid giving your baby water unless your doctor specifically recommends it. Babies under six months get all the hydration they need from breast milk. Extra water at this age can be dangerous, since it may cause electrolyte imbalances.

#3. Juice for Constipation in Breastfed Babies

If your baby is older than six months and has already started solids, a small amount of juice can sometimes help. Pear, peach, plum, prune, and apricot juice are all known to ease constipation. Apple juice is another common home remedy and can be offered twice a day in small servings to soften stools. Always check with your pediatrician about the right amount for your baby’s age.

#4. Warmth and Massage

A warm bath can also work wonders for a constipated baby. The warm water relaxes their tummy muscles, making it easier to pass stools. Following the bath with a gentle tummy massage can help things move along. Use slow, circular motions with your fingertips around the belly button.

#5. Bicycle Legs

You can also try bicycling your baby’s legs. Move their legs in gentle circular motions, like pedaling a bike. This simple exercise can relieve constipation in breastfed babies. It can also get rid of trapped gas, which often makes babies uncomfortable.

#6. Tummy Time

Tummy time isn’t just good for building neck and shoulder strength. When your baby spends time on their tummy, the gentle pressure on their belly can also help stimulate digestion. That pressure, combined with the little kicks and wiggles babies naturally do in this position, can encourage gas and stool to move through the intestines more easily. In short, tummy time gives both muscles and the digestive system a gentle workout, which may help relieve constipation.

So, How Often Should Your Baby Have a Bowel Movement?

Before Six Weeks

In the first few days, newborns pass dark, sticky stools called meconium. Colostrum, the early milk your body makes, helps clear meconium from your baby’s system. Within a few days, stools usually turn yellow-tan, soft, and seedy. Many parents say they look like mustard with little seeds and smell mildly sweet, almost like popcorn or cheese.

Once meconium is gone, most babies will poop two to five times every 24 hours during the first six weeks. But there’s a wide range of normal. Some babies poop more often, and some less. What matters most is that your baby has plenty of wet diapers—around six each day—and is gaining weight well.

Feeding on demand, at least eight times in 24 hours, helps keep things moving. If your baby sleeps long stretches at night, try to encourage more feeding during the day to make sure they’re getting enough milk.

After Six Weeks

Around the six-week mark, many breastfed babies start pooping less often. Some may go once a day, while others might have only one stool every ten days. Both patterns can be normal, because breast milk is digested and absorbed so efficiently. As long as stools are soft and your baby isn’t in pain, there’s usually no need to worry.

Wet diapers will change too. Your baby may have about five wet diapers a day.

Six Months and Beyond

When solid foods are introduced around six months, your baby’s poop will change again. Stools may look thicker, smell stronger, and sometimes contain bits of undigested food. During this stage, it’s common for breastfed babies to experience temporary constipation or even loose stools as their digestive systems adjust to new foods.

Certain foods—like iron-fortified cereals and cow’s milk–based formulas—are well-known constipation triggers. If your baby struggles, continue breastfeeding often, since breast milk acts as a natural laxative. Also, always offer breast milk before solids to make sure your baby’s main nutrition still comes from milk.

If constipation lasts more than a few days, or if your baby seems uncomfortable, call your pediatrician for guidance.

Foods That Cause Constipation in Breastfed Babies Who Have Started Solids

• Banana.
• Rice cereal.
• Carrots and squash.
• Cow’s milk.

Mom’s Diet

Parents often wonder if something in a mother’s diet could cause constipation through breast milk. In most cases, constipation in breastfed babies is not directly linked to what mom eats. But there are a few exceptions worth knowing about.

Caffeine is one possible culprit. Babies have very immature livers, so they can’t break down caffeine easily. Too much caffeine in your system may pass into your milk and affect your little one, sometimes leading to fussiness or changes in bowel movements. To be safe, limit foods and drinks like coffee, tea, sodas, and even chocolate while you’re breastfeeding.

Another possible trigger is cow’s milk protein. Some babies are sensitive to dairy proteins that come through breast milk. This sensitivity doesn’t always cause constipation—it may cause gas, fussiness, or even loose stools—but in some cases, constipation in breastfed babies can appear. If you suspect this, your pediatrician may suggest removing dairy from your diet for a few weeks to see if it helps.

On the other hand, what you eat can sometimes help your baby’s digestion. For example, eating prunes may not directly pass their laxative effect into your milk, but many parents notice softer stools in their babies when they add more fiber-rich foods like prunes or pears to their own diets. While research on this is limited, it’s a safe and gentle option you can try.

Straining

“My baby is straining to poo and goes red in the face, but when it comes out, it’s soft…”

This can look worrying, but it’s usually very normal. Some babies seem to work hard when passing a bowel movement, even turning red in the face or grunting. In most cases, this isn’t true constipation—it’s simply your baby learning how to coordinate their abdominal muscles with the process of pushing. It can take time for them to get used to these new sensations.

As long as your baby’s stool is soft and not hard or dry, you don’t need to worry. This stage often passes as their digestive system matures and they gain more muscle control.

Medical Treatment for Constipation in Breastfed Babies

Most breastfed babies rarely need medical treatment for constipation, but in some cases, your doctor may recommend it.

For babies older than six months, pediatricians sometimes suggest a stool softener such as polyethylene glycol (often known by the brand name Miralax). Research shows it can be more effective than other treatments for childhood constipation. Always use it under medical guidance, with the correct dose for your baby’s age and weight.

For babies younger than six months, avoid laxatives that need to be mixed with water. Extra water can interfere with breastfeeding and isn’t safe for young babies. In certain cases, a doctor may recommend oral laxatives like lactulose or glycerin suppositories to help soften stools. Senna is generally avoided in very young infants, so treatment should always be supervised by your pediatrician.

Severe constipation in breastfed babies, or constipation that is causing pain, should be brought up with a pediatrician right away. It’s important to make sure there isn’t an underlying cause.

References and Resources

• NCT – Constipation
• La Leche League – International breastfeeding support and online support group

Q&A