If you’re a parent, you’ve probably spent more time than you expected thinking—and talking—about baby poop. When your infant isn’t pooping regularly, it can make life pretty rough for everyone in the house. Gassy, uncomfortable babies don’t sleep well, which means moms and dads don’t either. It’s a stressful cycle, and many families end up in our practice seeking answers.
“One of the biggest myths we hear is that it’s fine if babies poop just once every few days. But that’s not the case. A healthy digestive system in babies should be much more active! Babies should be like puppies and they should be eating, sleeping, and pooping several times a day without any struggles,” says Dr. Lauren.
Your Baby’s Natural Reflex to Go
Think about getting a new puppy. What happens every time it eats, drinks, or wakes up from a nap? If it’s not potty trained, there’s a big mess on the floor. If it is, it’s likely scratching at the door to go outside. Why? Because going to the bathroom is a natural reflex. The nervous system is designed to signal the digestive system to get moving—and that same instinct exists in babies.
Babies should be pooping after every meal, ideally 2-3 times per day. Adults should be going that often, too, but stress hormones and daily schedule demands can interfere with our digestion. In babies, it’s not stress from work or bills but from nervous system interference. If their brain can’t properly communicate with their bowels, constipation happens.
The Nervous System-Poop Connection
When a baby’s nervous system is out of balance, the signals that tell the digestive system it’s time to go can’t get through. One of the ways we help is by checking the spine for misalignments that could be blocking those messages—like a traffic jam between the brain and the bowels.
In addition, stress during the pregnancy and birth process can cause the Vagus Nerve to become dysregulated and result in babies getting stuck in the stress side or their nervous system which is known as “fight or flight.” The Vagus Nerve is in charge of all “rest and digest” parasympathetic activity in the body and regulates immune function, digestive function, sleep cycles and the body’s adaptability to stress. When it is stressed early on in life from a traumatic event such as a birth that didn’t go that smoothly, it can cause a lot of challenges with these functions leading to a baby who isn’t sleeping well, isn’t comfortable, isn’t resting, and isn’t digesting and eliminating like they should.
Vagus nerve stress is the number one thing that shuts down their digestive system leading to gas, colic, reflux and constipation. Babies are not born with too much stomach acid and aren’t in the need of acid reducers like popular proton pump inhibitors. They just may be born with the inability to regulate their digestion on their own. Adjustments clear stress in the nervous system allowing it to run and regulate every process in the body with more ease, comfort, and efficiency leading to babies that are happy, healthy, and comfortable.
What Happens After an Adjustment?
It’s not uncommon for constipated babies to have a blowout soon after their first adjustment—sometimes even before leaving the office! If your baby has a blowout, we’ve got you covered. We’ve started keeping diapers and wipes close to the table just in case.
And it’s not just babies who deal with constipation. Many women in our practice have experienced long-term constipation tied to hormonal shifts, stress, or postpartum recovery. They often notice big improvements, too.
Help Your Baby Feel Better—Naturally
If your little one isn’t pooping regularly and you’re tired of trying laxatives, stool softeners, windi’s, or waiting it out, we’d love to help. Natural and gentle chiropractic care can support your baby’s nervous system so their body can function the way it’s meant to.
Do you have questions or wonder if our natural care is right for your family? Contact Restoring Life Chiropractic today—we’re here to listen and support you every step of the way.
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