Constipation

Constipation in infants and children is when they have hard, dry poo/stools or have difficulty passing poo/stools. It is a common problem in babies and young children and can start in the first year of life.

Constipation & CMPA

Why does my baby have constipation?

Every baby has his/her own toileting pattern; and it is very common for a baby to occasional have hard poo/stools. Some breastfed babies may only have one bowel movement a week. This might be because they have a slow gut (which is also normal) so they will not pass stools very often. However, if you suspect that your baby has constipation and he/she is having difficuly or pain passing their stool, you should discuss this with your baby’s healthcare provider.

Could it be Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?

In some babies, long-lasting constipation could be related to Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA). However, babies with CMPA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one baby to the next (Link to Symptoms). Therefore it is always best to discuss it with your baby’s healthcare provider. They will look at the symptoms in detail and often use a symptom scoring system to decide if it is related to CMPA.

What to Do Next?

If you are worried that your baby has symptoms related to cow's milk, you should seek advice from your healthcare provider. Whilst you are preparing to visit your healthcare provider, it can be a good idea to record your baby's symptoms over a few days before the visit.