It is not unusual for children to grunt, strain, draw up their legs, and become red in the face when having a bowel movement.
Constipation means the bowel movement is hard and dry, making it painful and hard to push out.
Some children have two or three movements daily. Others may have a normal movement only every 5 to 7 days. Breastfed children can have large, soft movements without pain every 7 days. Formula-fed children will have firmer stools. Constipation is generally not a serious problem.