SYMPTOM: CONSTIPATION
Constipation is a delay or difficulty in passing stools, present for two or more weeks. It is a common problem in babies and young children.
Every baby has their own stool pattern; it is very common for a baby to have occasional, hard stools and some breastfed babies may only have one bowel movement a week.
Babies can have up to 3 bowel movements per day when aged between 0-3 months.
Why does my baby have constipation?
In some babies, long-lasting constipation may be related to Cows’ Milk Allergy (CMA). Another possible reason may be that some babies have a slow gut (which is also common) so they will also not pass stools very often.
Could my baby have Cows’ Milk Allergy?
Babies with CMA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one another.
If you think that your baby has constipation, it may be CMA. You may have even noticed other symptoms (besides constipation), which may affect other parts of your baby’s body.

For a simple and easy way to understand the symptoms associated with CMA, you can use our symptom checklist.
This will allow you to select all the symptoms that your baby may have that can be cows’ milk-related. You can then discuss these with your doctor.
In any case, if you have any doubts or concerns about your baby’s health, you should always seek advice from a medical professional as soon as possible. The information on this website should not replace medical advice from a medical professional.
SmilesBack App
Cows’ milk allergy (CMA) is a common food allergy in baby’s and young children but it is often challenging to diagnose and may take many months and doctors appointments. If you suspect that your baby might have cows’ milk allergy, you can use SmilesBack to help shorten the journey to diagnosis and help put smiles back where they belong.
SmilesBack is an easy-to-use app that has been developed with allergy experts and tested by parents. It enables you to easily record your baby’s symptoms and feeds and summarise them in a one-page, expert-designed report, to support your doctor before they make a diagnosis.
