Baby Crying When Pooping: Reasons, When To Worry And Remedies

Parents and caregivers may have concerns about why their baby cries when pooping. Everything is new to a baby, and they are in the process of adjusting and understanding the bodily functions and surroundings. Some babies may cry while passing bowel movements since this sensation can be strange for them. However, a few babies may cry due to tummy troubles or pain. It is recommended to seek pediatric care if your baby often cries while pooping and has other digestive symptoms.

Read on to know why a baby cries when pooping and what you can do about it.

Why Do Babies Cry While Pooping?

The reasons for your baby crying while pooping may range from your baby getting used to the sensation of pooping to an underlying medical condition. Let us look at each in detail.

1. Getting used to the sensation of pooping

If your baby cries during pooping in the initial days, it could be because they are still adapting to the sensation of pooping. It could also be because the baby’s abdominal muscles are still underdeveloped, making it difficult to pass stools (1). Dr. Cindy Rubin, MD, IBCLC, a board-certified pediatrician and breastfeeding specialist from Westchester, Illinois, says, “They may cry when they’re pushing it out, or even for a while before that. This happens because they are learning! These are new sensations for babies; it takes a while to understand what is going on and connect with what they need to do.
“Also, it is difficult to poop while you’re lying down with brand-new weak abdominal muscles. However, this is a part of the newborn experience and nothing to worry about.”

This is quite normal, and you need not worry if your baby makes faces or grunts while pooping as they will get used to it with time.

2. Constipation

Infants might also suffer from constipation, which can make them cry while pooping. If the bowel movements are hard and irregular, your baby could be constipated. The common signs of constipation in babies include (1):

1. Fussiness
2. Spitting up
3. Hard and dry stools
4. Discomfort during bowel movements
5. Tummy pain and bloating
6. Having less than three bowel movements in a week (this is more common in children)

Emily Marie, a mom, shares in her Vlog how her one-month-old baby had altered bowel movement. She says, “I noticed that Alyssa was struggling to poop, and I immediately assumed that she was constipated. I then took her to the doctor, who concluded that my baby was not constipated. He advised me to mix half an ounce of prune juice and half an ounce of water and give it to the baby, only if her stools are hard (ⅰ).’’ She offered prune juice to her daughter two days in a row, and it worked for her.

3. Infant dyschezia

This is a condition in which the infant strains and cries for more than ten minutes before defecating. The baby’s face may turn red or purple until the passage of soft or liquid stool. This is a normal and common gastrointestinal condition and might resolve after a few weeks (2).

4. Anal fissure

If your baby has chronic constipation, they might develop anal fissure. This could be related to severe straining during stooling. The condition is defined as a small tear of the skin in the lining of the anus or anal canal, resulting from passing hard stools. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) suggest that about 85-90% of anal fissures occur in the posterior midline or back of the anus, and 10-15% of them occur in the anterior midline or front of the anus. A recent study suggests that colic in infants is closely associated with anal fissures and painful defecation (3).

5. Colic

Colic affects approximately 10–40% of infants. It peaks at around six weeks of age, and the symptoms start to resolve by three to six months. Babies tend to uncontrollably cry while suffering from colic. Other symptoms include bloody stools, excessive gas and pain during pooping, skin rashes, and vomitings. So, if your baby cries while pooping, try to determine if it is infantile colic (4).

When Should You Worry?

Mild grunting and occasional crying while pooping are common in infants. However, if your baby cries excessively during defecation, and you notice fever, feeding difficulties, and blood in their stools, it is best to take them to your pediatrician. Dr. Rubin observes, “Older babies still may do a lot of grunting and turning red, but as long as their poops are soft and they are pooping every one or two days, it’s normal. However, if the poop is hard or like rabbit pellets, it is a sign of constipation and should be addressed with your pediatrician.”

Tips To Stop Babies From Crying While Pooping

Breastfeeding babies may poop several times a day to once a week, and formula-fed infants may poop several times a day to once in four days (5). So, do not worry if your child occasionally cries while pooping. However, you can always use some handy tips to help them manage pain and stop them from crying.

1. If you are breastfeeding, try and change your diet and see if your baby passes soft stools subsequently. In the case of formula feeding, consult a lactation expert or your pediatrician.

2. Include high fiber foods, such as broccoli, pears, prunes, and bananas in the diet of babies who have started on solids.

3. Keep your baby hydrated by feeding them milk from time to time. For babies older than six months, you can offer them water or pear juice.

4. Gently massage your baby’s belly button and stomach area. You can also bicycle their legs to help them release excess gas.
   

5. Put a warm compress on their belly to help them pass stools more comfortably and relieve the baby’s discomfort. Also, make sure you burp your baby after every feed. To avoid any discomfort, be sure to do frequent diaper changes.

6. Probiotics may help relieve colic symptoms in babies. Talk to your pediatrician and administer them accordingly.