How Often Should a Baby Poo? Newborn to Toddler Guide | Parenting Hub
From multiple poos a day to once every 10 days — here's what's normal at each age, and when infrequent pooing is constipation.
Newborns poo often. Some breastfed babies then go a week between poos and that's still normal. Here's the age-by-age guide.
By age
- First week: at least one dirty nappy per day of life (day 3 = 3 dirty)
- Weeks 2–6: several poos per day for most breastfed babies; at least one a day for formula-fed
- 6 weeks – 6 months breastfed: can drop to once every 5–10 days and still be normal if poo is soft and baby is comfortable
- 6 weeks – 6 months formula-fed: usually at least once a day; less can mean constipation
- After solids: most settle to 1–3 per day
Is infrequent pooing constipation?
Not by itself. Constipation is about the poo — hard, pellet-like, painful to pass — not how often. A breastfed baby who hasn't pooed in 7 days but then passes a soft, large poo without distress is normal.
Help things along (if needed)
- Warm bath followed by bicycle legs
- Gentle clockwise tummy massage
- Extra feeds (milk is also hydration)
- For >6 months on solids: pear, prune or kiwi puree, and water with meals
When to seek help
- Hard, pellet-like or painful poo
- Blood on the poo or in the nappy
- Vomiting + no poo + swollen tummy
- Poor weight gain alongside infrequent pooing
Common questions
10 days with no poo — should I see a doctor?
If baby is feeding well, wet nappies are good, the tummy is soft and not distended, and when poo eventually comes it is soft — this is a normal variant. If any of those are off, see a GP.