Constipation

If your baby excretes poop that is hard and looks like little pebbles, he/she is probably constipated. Additionally, look for visual signs of your baby being uncomfortable when pooping, or excretion tinged with blood as a result of poop irritating the anus on the way out.

Sometimes, poop may appear like a big blob – larger, dry and compact ball. That is also a form of constipation.

One or two pebbly stools in your baby’s diaper is not usually a cause for concern, but if your baby has three or more (or if you see blood), it’s best to call the doctor. More often than not, constipation happens in babies who are being introduced to solid foods, can be a sign of milk or soy protein sensitivity, or lack of tolerance towards something in breast milk or formula.

Specifically for infants, consult your doctor when this happens, who might recommend giving your baby small amounts of extra water. For older babies, provide them with plenty of breast milk or formula to drink. If your baby is already eating solids, feed him/her meals that are higher in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and add puréed prunes to your baby’s cereal. But before you do so, seek a doctor’s approval regarding the changing of your baby’s diet or the feeding of juices.

Breastfeeding mothers might also have to be watchful of what they eat. Constipating food items that they take could be passed on to the child thru breastmilk.