Are you worried because your baby has trouble pooping? Let’s explore 8 gentle and safe pediatrician-approved techniques to help your baby poop more easily, bringing them comfort and helping normalize their bowel movements.
Has your baby not pooped in days? Could it be constipation?
When a baby doesn’t poop for 1–3 days or strains with a red face but nothing comes out, parents often start worrying: “Is my baby constipated?” Actually, during the first 0–12 months, a baby’s digestive and excretory systems are still developing, so bowel movement patterns may be irregular.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
- Newborns up to 1 month: May poop 4–12 times a day — this is considered normal
- After 2–3 months: May poop only once or twice a day, or even skip a day — still within normal range
But if your baby strains a lot, turns red, tenses up, or has to use significant effort to poop, it may cause discomfort, fussiness, or crying during bowel movements. That’s why parents want to find ways to help their baby poop more easily — without resorting to forceful methods like enemas.
Understanding the nature of infant bowel movements
Before searching for ways to help your baby poop more easily, parents should understand that not pooping doesn’t always mean constipation. In infants, there are two conditions to distinguish:
Straining but nothing comes out
- Often occurs in babies aged 1–6 months
- The baby strains hard and cries loudly, but the poop that eventually comes out is soft, not hard lumps
- Happens because the brain and intestines haven’t yet coordinated the pushing and relaxing of the anal sphincter
True constipation
- The poop is hard, in small pellet-like lumps
- There may be blood due to intense straining
- If chronic, it may cause the baby to resist pooping, leading to fecal impaction or “stool retention disorder”
Research from the Mayo Clinic explains that a baby’s intestines are not yet fully developed, and their intestinal contractions are still irregular — which sometimes makes them need to push harder.
Check first: Is this “normal” or does your child need to see a doctor?
Just because your baby hasn’t pooped for 1–2 days doesn’t mean you should rush to use an enema. It’s important to observe signs closely to determine whether your baby is in the normal group or the at-risk group.
Normal pooping difficulty (no major concern):
- Strains with a red face but eventually poops
- Stool is still soft, yellow or brown, not hard or lumpy
- Still able to smile and play, no severe pain symptoms
See a doctor if your child has any of the following:
- Stool is hard, in small lumps, or so firm it causes pain
- Blood present in the stool
- No bowel movement at all for more than 5–7 days (especially for formula-fed babies)
- Bloated, firm belly, and constant crying
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, if a baby is exclusively breastfed and still cheerful, even not pooping for 5–7 days may still be within the normal range. However, it’s still best to consult a doctor for peace of mind.
8 Gentle and Safe Ways to Help Your Baby Poop More Easily
1. “I Love You” Tummy Massage
Tummy massage helps stimulate bowel movement. Gently use your fingertips to massage your baby’s belly along the path of the large intestine by tracing the letters “I–L–U” (I Love You) on their tummy.
According to Infant Massage USA, light massage for 5–10 minutes daily helps ease bowel movements and can also reduce colic symptoms.
2. “Air Bicycle” Motion
Hold both of your baby’s legs and gently move them in a slow bicycle-pedaling motion. This movement helps stimulate the intestines and reduce gas in the tummy.
A study in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing found that this motion helps relieve bloating and promotes easier bowel movements.
3. Warm Bath
Giving your baby a warm bath or placing a warm wet towel on their tummy for about 5 minutes helps relax the intestines. The gentle heat soothes your baby and reduces muscle tension during straining.
4. Tummy Time for Movement
Letting your baby lie on their tummy several times a day while awake helps them strengthen their abdominal muscles and naturally practice pushing.
Developmental research shows that tummy time not only improves neck and abdominal strength but also stimulates the digestive system.
5. Adjust Feeding Habits
- Breastfed babies: Sometimes the mother’s diet affects the baby — such as cow’s milk, coffee, or chocolate. Moms should observe whether certain foods make it harder for the baby to poop.
- Formula-fed babies: Some formulas are harder to digest. Consult a pediatrician or pharmacist about switching to an easier-to-digest formula.
6. Add Water After 6 Months
The WHO recommends that babies exclusively breastfed under 6 months do not need additional water. After starting solid foods, you can offer small sips of warm water throughout the day to help support digestion.
7. Foods That Soften Poop
Once your baby starts solid foods (6 months and up), you can introduce fruits that help soften stools — like prune, pear, peach, and papaya.
The “P-fruit principle” is endorsed by the American Dietetic Association as effective in preventing constipation in young children.
8. Assisted Pooping Position
Hold your baby in a squat-like sitting position, with their back against your chest, your hands supporting their bottom, and their knees slightly lifted. This posture helps engage the abdominal muscles and allows the baby to poop more easily and comfortably.
Important Cautions: Laxatives and Enemas
Some households might use laxatives or enemas too frequently — which is not recommended.
According to the AAP and NHS:
- Enemas should only be used when truly necessary, such as when the baby hasn’t pooped for many days, has a firm belly, and only under a doctor’s guidance.
- Frequent use can make babies reliant on external stimulation, preventing them from learning how to poop naturally.
- Avoid inserting objects like thermometer tips or cotton swabs into your baby’s rectum — this can cause injury.
Helping your baby poop isn’t just about comfort — it also supports gut health, muscle development, and their emotional relationship with bowel movements in the future. If your baby experiences pain every time they poop, they may start associating pooping with fear and begin avoiding it, which can lead to chronic problems.
The 8 methods mentioned in this article — like tummy massage, air cycling, warm baths, formula adjustments, added water, P-fruits, tummy time, and assisted pooping posture — are all natural and safe. However, if your baby still hasn’t pooped in several days, has very hard stools, or shows unusual symptoms, it’s best to consult a pediatrician for proper guidance.
Originally published on theAsianparent Thailand
