For infants who drink formula, how often should they poop and what should it look like?

Frequency: It's normal for babies who have formula in their diet to make a bowel movement anywhere from as frequently as 5-6 times per day or as infrequently as once every 2-3 days. A formula-fed infant who hasn't passed a bowel movement in more than 3 days is probably constipated.

Consistency: Normal stools in infants drinking formula can be firm, soft, or even loose. A very hard, large, or dry stool may be uncomfortable to pass, and if your baby is in pain when passing these stools, that means they are constipated.

Color: Formula-fed infant's stools can be brown, tan, yellow, or green. If you see a black, red, or white stool, please notify your pediatrician's office right away.

When you start to give your baby solid foods, the stools will become firmer and may have a stronger odor.

Does iron-fortified formula cause constipation?

The amount of iron in infant formula does not cause or worsen constipation. Iron is vital to an infant's health and growth, so changing to a low-iron formula is almost never recommended. Iron supplementation (giving extra iron in the form of a vitamin supplement) may cause some infants to develop constipation. If this occurs, please discuss with your pediatric clinician.

What is the treatment for an infant who is constipated?

For babies over 1-month-old, you can add fruit juice (e.g., apple or pear juice). After 3 months, you can use prune (plum) juice.

Amount: 1 ounce (30 mL) per month of age each day, up to a maximum of 4 ounces (120 mL) per day. Reason fruit juice is approved for these babies: treating a symptom.

For babies over 4 months old, also add baby foods with high fiber. Do this twice a day. Examples are peas, beans, apricots, prunes, peaches, pears, or plums.

If on finger foods, add cereals and small pieces of fresh fruit.

Give enough fluids to stay well hydrated.