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Constipation is not a common issue for young children. It sometimes happens during potty training or when children become so absorbed in their play that they refuse to go to the bathroom. Simple lifestyle changes can be quite helpful in managing constipation. If the constipation persists for more than two weeks, it is advisable to take your child to see a doctor to determine if they need medication.
Steps
Recognizing Constipation in Children
Identifying the symptoms of constipation. Children suffering from constipation may avoid going to the bathroom because it is painful for them. They may try to hold it in by clenching their buttocks and twisting their body. If your child shows any of the following signs, they may be experiencing constipation:
- Difficulty going to the bathroom.
- Dry, hard stool, with or without blood.
- Having fewer than three bowel movements per week.
- Pain during bowel movements.
- Nausea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Small, loose, or clay-like stool. The child may also experience stool leakage.
Learn if your child is at risk of constipation. There are several specific situations that may make children more prone to constipation. These include:
- Lack of regular physical activity.
- Low-fiber diet.
- Frequent dehydration.
- Medication use that increases the risk of constipation, such as antidepressants.
- Conditions affecting the anus or rectum.
- Family members who also experience constipation.
- Neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy.
- Emotional stress or recent changes that cause anxiety.
- Hypothyroidism or other metabolic disorders.
Visit the doctor if your child shows symptoms that suggest constipation may be becoming more serious. Generally, constipation doesn’t lead to complications or severe health problems. However, signs of complications and more serious issues include:
- Fever.
- Vomiting.
- Blood in the stool.
- Abdominal bloating.
- Weight loss.
- Skin tears around the anus.
- Rectal prolapse, where the intestine protrudes from the anus.
- Frequent painful urination, which could indicate a urinary tract infection—common in children with constipation.
- Poor appetite.
- Frequent or persistent abdominal pain.
Relieving Constipation Through Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies
Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. This method helps soften stool and makes it easier for your child to pass it. Water and fruit juice are great choices.
- Milk may cause constipation for some children.
- Avoid caffeinated beverages like tea and cola for young children.
- The amount of water your child needs depends on their age, activity level, and the climate where they live. However, if your child feels tired and their urine is dark or cloudy, it could be a sign of dehydration.
Establish a high-fiber diet. Fiber helps soften stool and makes it easier for your child to pass it. High-fiber foods include beans, whole wheat bread, fruits, and vegetables. The recommended fiber intake for children is:
- About 20g per day for younger children.
- About 29g per day for female adolescents.
- About 38g per day for male adolescents.
Try offering your child foods that have a mild laxative effect and are rich in fiber. Most nutritious fruits that children tend to enjoy include:
- Prunes.
- Peaches.
- Pears.
- Fresh plums.
- Apples.
- Apricots.
- Raspberries.
- Strawberries.
- Beans.
- Legumes.
- Spinach.
Avoid foods that may cause constipation, such as:
- Milk and dairy products for some children.
- Carrots, squash, potatoes, bananas, and other starchy foods.
- Processed foods that are high in fats, sugars, and salt but low in fiber can also increase the risk of constipation. These foods make children feel full but may prevent them from consuming fiber-rich, healthy options.
Give your child opportunities to engage in physical activities. This will help stimulate bowel movements. Children can participate in the following activities:
- Take them to a playground where they can play freely.
- Encourage bike riding.
- Swimming.
Establish a bathroom routine for your child. Encourage your child to sit on the toilet for at least 10 minutes after meals, about 30–60 minutes after eating, and try to have a bowel movement. You can incorporate relaxation techniques to help reduce their anxiety about the discomfort of using the toilet.
- Use deep breathing exercises to help your child focus on relaxing their muscles.
- Help them visualize calming images or imagine a pain-free toilet experience.
- Gently massage their stomach before they try to go.
- Be supportive and reward your child for trying. You could offer small rewards like stickers or let them play their favorite game.
- Provide a small footstool so your child can rest their feet on it, with their knees higher than their hips. This can help ease bowel movements.
Consult a Doctor's Opinion
Consult a doctor before giving your child over-the-counter medications that help soften stools. Supplements containing fiber or stool softeners can ease discomfort during bowel movements. While these are widely available without a prescription, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional before using them for your child.
- Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage based on your child's age and weight.
- Common fiber supplements include Metamucil and Citrucel. These are most effective when combined with drinking at least 1 liter of water per day.
- Glycerin suppositories can also be helpful if used regularly.
Do not administer laxatives to children without consulting a pediatrician first. If stool becomes impacted, stronger medications may be needed to help your child pass the stool, but this process should be closely supervised by a doctor. There are several types of laxatives, including:
- Homemade remedies using mineral oil.
- Bulk-forming laxatives (Ispaghula husk, Methylcellulose, Sterculia) help retain water in the stool, making it softer.
- Osmotic laxatives (Lactulose, Macrogols, MiraLax) work by drawing water into the stool to facilitate elimination.
- Stimulant laxatives (Senna, Bisacodyl, Sodium Picosulphate). These are used when the stool is soft enough but the body resists the natural urge to expel it. These laxatives stimulate muscle contractions in the digestive tract to help push the stool out. They should only be used as a last resort for treating constipation in young children and for short periods.
Address fecal impaction. If stool becomes dry, hard, and accumulates in the rectum, you can use an enema solution or suppositories to help expel it. This process should be performed by a doctor or followed under medical supervision.
- Suppositories are small capsules inserted into the rectum that dissolve and absorb into the area. Common suppositories include Bisacodyl and Glycerine laxatives.
- Rectal enemas are liquid solutions introduced into the colon via the anus, often providing the most effective and rapid method to clear accumulated stool.
Warning
- Never give young children laxatives or enema solutions without consulting a doctor first. Proper dosing is critical, and only a doctor can help you ensure that it is done safely.
