Are constipation and changes in poop normal when starting solid foods?
Applies to age: 4–12 months
In short
Constipation is quite common in children and usually harmless, and it usually goes away after a few days, but do not brush it off: see a doctor reasonably soon, before the problem gets worse. Go to a doctor or to a hospital emergency department (SOR) immediately for very severe abdominal pain or vomiting.
What is normal
- Constipation is quite common in children and usually harmless.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Zaparcia są dość częste u dzieci i zwykle nieszkodliwe.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- Constipation usually goes away after a few days, but it may last longer.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Zazwyczaj ustępują po kilku dniach, ale mogą potrwać dłużej.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
When to worry
- Constipation is diagnosed when a child has a bowel movement less than 3 times a week.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Zaparcia występują, gdy dziecko wypróżnia się rzadziej niż 3 razy w tygodniu.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
ER / 112 (Poland)
- Go to a doctor or to a hospital emergency department (SOR) immediately if the constipation comes with very severe abdominal pain.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
ma bardzo silny ból brzucha
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- Go to a doctor or to the SOR immediately if the constipation comes with vomiting.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
wymiotuje
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- Go to a doctor or to the SOR immediately if the constipation comes with cold sweats and an upset stomach.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
ma zimne poty i rozstrój żołądka
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- Go to a doctor or to the SOR immediately if there is blood and mucus in the stool and your child does not feel well.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
ma krew oraz śluz w stolcu i nie czuje się dobrze
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
See a doctor
- Contact a doctor if your child feels pain when passing stool.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
czuje ból, gdy oddaje stolec
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- Contact a doctor if your child's stool contains blood.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
kał zawiera krew
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- Contact a doctor if your child has had difficulty passing stool for a week or longer.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
miało trudności z wypróżnianiem się przez tydzień lub dłużej
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- Contact a doctor if your child has repeated constipation problems or alternating constipation and diarrhea.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
ma powtarzające się problemy z zaparciami
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
Polish original
ma naprzemienne zaparcia i biegunkę
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- Contact a doctor if your child is not gaining weight as they should.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
nie przybiera na wadze tak, jak powinno
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- If you suspect that the constipation is caused by a food allergy, do not change your child's diet, but first contact a doctor.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Nie zmieniaj diety dziecka, jeśli uważasz, że zaparcia są spowodowane alergią pokarmową.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
Polish original
Najpierw skontaktuj się z lekarzem i wykonaj zlecone testy alergiczne.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-08 · license [1]
- Do not brush off constipation in your child; see a doctor reasonably soon, before the problem gets worse.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Nie bagatelizuj zaparcia u swojego dziecka.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
Polish original
Zgłoś się do lekarza w miarę szybko, zanim problem się nasili.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- Contact a doctor if your child drinks only breast milk and the stool comes out as small, hard pellets.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
pije tylko mleko matki, a wydalany stolec ma formę małych, twardych kulek
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
Sources
- Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl)License: CC BY 3.0 PL. Source: Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original.