Constipation vs Normal Newborn Poop – How to Tell and What to Do

(The no-panic guide that stops the 3 a.m. Google spiral)

Your baby hasn’t pooped in 4 days and you’re convinced something’s wrong.

Or they’re grunting and turning red every diaper — is that normal?

Take a breath.

Here’s exactly what’s normal, what’s constipation, and what actually fixes it — straight from pediatricians and thousands of parents.

Breastfed: 5–10 poops a day → drops to 1 every 7–10 days after 6 weeks (totally fine)
Formula-fed: 1–4 poops a day, usually thicker
Grunting + red face = normal (they’re learning to push)
Color: yellow, brown, green — all okay

Quick science: Breastfed babies can go 10–14 days without pooping and still be perfectly healthy — their milk is almost completely absorbed.

(Source: American Academy of Pediatrics & HealthyChildren.org)

“Breastfed baby went 12 days with no poop. Pediatrician said ‘if soft when it comes, it’s fine.’ Came out like mustard — crisis over.”

— Mom in r/NewParents

FridaBaby Windi (gas + poop reliever) “Instant relief when nothing else worked.”
Baby Mum-Mum or Puffs (for 6+ months) “Fiber helped move things along.”
Dr. Brown’s bottles with vent “Less air = less constipation on formula.”

You’ve got this.

One bicycle leg, one giant poop, one happy baby at a time. ❤️