2-month old Constipation and Bowel Movements

by Cari
(Vancouver, British Columbia)

Our 2.5 month old son has soft stools but will not have bowel movements.

We can tell he has to go because his legs pull back and forth and he passes gas, but he will not have a bowel movements unless his rectum is stimulated (we wipe his bum with a wipe and that usually triggers something and he passes his stools just fine).

Is this a serious problem? Would this be considered constipation? We are worried that he will develop a habit and will have to be stimulated every time he has to go to the potty.

Thanks for all of your help,
Cari.







Baby Help Line Response:

Hi Cari!

You know what, I know very well how tempting it is to try to help your baby when you see him straining and trying to poop. But straining really is normal for such young babies and since the stools are not hard, he is not constipated.

Try to wait him out! His digestive system and intestines need to practise and mature and the poop will come even it it takes a few days.

Is he breastfed? In such case, it is completely normal at his age that he can go days without pooping.

So my guess is that you have nothing to worry about! (But of course, if he seems ill or in serious pain you might want to discuss the situation with his doctor.)

Good luck!

/Paula



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