For the first few months of a baby's life, when she is eating only formula or breast milk, it is unlikely that she will have many problems with diarrhea or constipation. However at around six months, when solid foods are introduced, you may notice changes in your baby's stools as she adjusts to certain new foods.

The key to avoiding gastrointestinal problems is to introduce new foods to your baby's diet slowly, allowing her to try small amounts of one new food first before moving on to the next one. If your baby does become constipated or has problems with diarrhea, try a different food for a few days until her system has had a chance to adjust.

If constipation becomes a problem, try feeding her a small amount of diluted, pureed prunes. Make sure she is drinking plenty of breast milk or formula and getting plenty of rest as well. If your baby is old enough to crawl, give her plenty of opportunity to move her body and allow waste to move through her system naturally. Talk to your health care provider if your baby is younger than six months, if her symptoms are severe, or if they persist for several days.