Constipation, stomach pain, issues with eating and drinking, medication, diet and mobility issues can have an impact on the health of the digestive system which are the functions and organs which help the body break down and absorb food.   

Babies and toddlers with dysphagia may have difficulties with eating and swallowing.

It can be difficult to work out if your baby or toddler has gut health issues as urination and bowel movements can be so changeable.

However, if you are concerned about your baby’s gut or overall health or development, please talk to your GP, child and family health nurse, or paediatrician.

There’s a big range of normal when it comes to what baby poo looks and smells like and how often babies poo. Some babies poo several times a day, and some poo only a few times a week. This is normal. Pooing is common during or shortly after feeding. This is called the gastro-colic reflex. As the weeks and months pass, you can expect changes in poo.

Poo problems

Constipation is when the poo is hard and dry and looks like little marbles or pebbles. This kind of poo is difficult for your baby to push out, which can be upsetting for your baby.

Constipation is more likely to happen in bottle-fed babies. It usually happens when the formula has been made with too little water.

Babies might also get constipated when they start solid food. This normally sorts itself out in a few weeks.

If your baby is straining and pooing hard, dry pebbles or if you see blood in the poo, speak to your GP or child and family health nurse.

Diarrhoea is when your baby does very runny or even watery poos, more often than usual. If your baby is vomiting as well, it might be a gut infection. In this situation, it’s important to see your GP immediately to make sure that your baby doesn’t get dehydrated.

Research has discovered significantly higher microbial diversity in babies and toddlers with CP group compared with individuals without CP.

Epilepsy and gut health imbalances, also called dysbiosis, have also been linked.

Dysbiosis is a condition that can create digestive disturbances including bloating, diarrhea, constipation and stomach cramps, among others. Dysbiosis treatment should be tailored to each person using the results of a gut microbiome test.

Epilepsy medicines may also create gut problems.

Stomach pain can have many different causes, including wind, infections, constipation, food intolerances, appendicitis and so on.

Tummy pain that keeps coming back might be associated with constipation, food intolerances or inflammation in the gut.

In this section you will find information about issues which may affect your child’s gut health, as well as therapies and interventions to support you.