How Often Should My Baby Poo? Paediatrician Explains The Importance Of Getting To Know Your Baby's Bowel Habits

As a new parent, it’s hard to know what is considered “normal” when it comes to your baby’s bowel movements.

So how often should your baby be pooing? Well it depends on the baby, according to paediatrician Dr Keir Shiels.

“Many babies may be pooing several times a day but others may be pooing only once a week and that too can be normal,” he said.

“People worry their baby is constipated because they are not pooing as much other babies in their NCT class, but as long as they are comfortable and not crying, bloated or refusing feeds, that’s just their normal bowel habit.”

Dr Shiels said breastfed babies are likely to poo more frequently than bottle-fed babies, but getting to know your little one’s habits is the most important.

To find out what to do if you are worried your baby may be constipated, watch the video above.

supersizer via Getty Images

‘Baby 101’ is HuffPost UK’s parenting video series with paediatrician, Dr Keir Shiels, addressing topics mums and dads may face in their first year of being a parent. From colic to trapped wind, crying babies and their nappy contents, he answers some of the most common questions new parents have.

Before You Go

5 Great Books For 21st-Century Babies

I Know A Lot! (Stephen Krensky, Sara Gillingham)(01 of05)

Perfect for those who want to teach their little girl there's more to life than princesses and pretty dresses, this empowering book focuses on being smart. The third in Stephen Krensky and Sara Gillingham's empowerment series, it celebrates the incredible knowledge of toddlers, whether it's comparing heavy rocks to lighter flowers, or noting that the sunlight delineates the day from the night. Parents and babies alike will love the bold, bright retro illustrations. (credit:Abrams Appleseed)

The Skin You Live In (Michael Tyler, David Lee Csicsko)(02 of05)

Written in the lively and playful style of a nursery rhyme and with beautifully simplistic illustrations, your little one will love to look at the pictures while you read this book aloud. A celebration of diversity with a focus on skin, it explores themes such as acceptance, self-confidence and friendship, encouraging children to embrace individuality in its myriad forms. (credit:Chicago Childrens Museum)

It's Okay To Be Different (Todd Parr)(03 of05)

Another celebration of individuality, It's Okay to Be Different is deceptively simple. With the help of Todd Parr's trademark bold, bright colors and childlike drawings, it delivers important messages about acceptance and empathy and helps to boost self-confidence, in a unique and child-friendly way. (credit:Little Brown)

Introducing Teddy (Jessica Walton)(04 of05)

Toddlers will love this heartwarming tale of Errol and his teddy (and best friend) Thomas, which cleverly introduces young children to the concept of gender identity and transition. One sunny day, Errol finds that Thomas is sad and can't figure out why, until Thomas finally tells him what he has been afraid to say: “In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. I wish my name was Tilly, not Thomas.” Errol responds with the beautiful line: “I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend.” (credit:Introducing Teddy)

Press Here (Herve Tullet)(05 of05)

The perfect iPad antidote for the touch-screen generation, illustrator Herve Tullet has created an interactive masterpiece with nothing more than a few coloured dots of paint and some simple instructions. Watch your little one squeal with delight as they touch the dots, shake the pages and tilt the book, as instructed, causing the dots to move, grow and multiply when they turn the page. (credit:Barnes & Noble)