Going number two is scary business for many kids. With poop being taboo, and potty training being fraught with accidents and stress, it’s no wonder constipation is common in children.
Nearly 3% of all pediatrician visits are for constipation issues. The pain, bloating and fear of pooping can create a vicious cycle leading to stool withholding. This worsens the problem, impacting a child’s health, growth, and quality of life.
The good news? There are many effective strategies to get your constipated kid back on track. This guide will help you understand the causes, gently address anxieties, and try techniques to get your child’s bowels moving regularly again.
What Causes Constipation in Children?
Constipation usually occurs when stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract, becoming hard, dry and difficult to pass. Common causes include:
- Diet: Too little fiber and fluids can lead to hard stools.
- Toilet Training: Kids may try holding in stool to avoid using unfamiliar potties.
- Stress: Major changes, stressful events, school anxiety can delay bowel movements.
- Dairy Intolerance: For some children, dairy products cause constipation.
- Medications: Iron supplements, antidepressants, antacids can slow down digestion.
- Physical Issues: Anal fissures, pelvic floor dysfunction, nerve damage, spinal issues.
- Ignoring the Urge: Not responding to the need to poop promptly can cause stool backup.
Pay attention if your child seems to poop less than 3 times a week or if bowel movements are painful. Straining, hard lumpy stool, belly pain, reduced appetite, irritability or blood in stool are key red flags. Check with your pediatrician to identify the cause.
Is Your Child Scared to Use the Potty?
Many constipated kids start dreading and avoiding pooping due to fear of pain or past difficult experiences. Spot these common signs of potty anxiety:
- Hiding when they need to poop
- Only going in a diaper or familiar toilet
- Expressing fear about clogging the toilet
- Worrying about poop getting stuck
- Showing panic about public restrooms
- Using potty avoidance tactics like procrastination
Kids pick up on societal taboos about bathroom talk very early. Parental anxiety or repeatedly telling them to “go potty” can inadvertently reinforce that it’s bad or scary. Stay positive about poop, use proper terms like stool or poop, and don’t scold potty mishaps.
Make sure child-sized potties feel secure. Use a soft cushion or squatty potty to make passing stool easier on little legs. Play music or read stories to relax anxious kids on the toilet.
Diet and Lifestyle Fixes for Constipation
Getting your child’s poop schedule back on track involves long-term changes. Here are effective dietary and toileting tips:
- More Fiber: Load up on high-fiber fruits, veggies, beans, whole grains. Prunes and pears also help.
- Fluids: Water, juice, broths keep stool soft.Aim for 5-8 cups per day.
- Set a Routine: Have regular toilet time – right after meals usually stimulates bowels.
- Squatting Position: Let little kids rest feet on a stool as this aligns the bowels better.
- Probiotics: Yogurt with active cultures helps balance gut bacteria.
- Exercise: Physical activity accelerates digestion and relieves constipation.
- Respond Promptly: Rush your child to the toilet when they say they need to poop.
- Withhold Rewards: Don’t give treats for pooping as it encourages withholding stool.
Being patient and positive is key. Praise successes but don’t overhype. If no bowel movement after 3 days, call your pediatrician. They may suggest stool softeners, laxatives, fiber supplements or enemas to provide relief as you continue long term dietary changes.
The bathroom does not have to be a scary place with the right strategies. Stay alert to your child’s concerns, respond calmly, and try creative ways to make potty time relaxing and rewarding. With your help, the poop fear can be flushed away.
Frequently Asked Questions on Childhood Constipation
1. What foods help relieve constipation in children?
High-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, and nuts act like a broom to sweep waste through the digestive tract. Some great choices are prunes, pears, plums, peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, oatmeal, whole grain bread, edamame, and flaxseeds. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids too.
2. When should I start toilet training my constipated toddler?
Start only when your child shows signs of readiness, like indicating when they need to use the potty or keeping diapers dry for extended periods. Rushing training can worsen withholding behaviors. Maintain a relaxed, positive approach and watch for cues. Respond promptly to avoid “holding it in” which can worsen constipation.
3. Can probiotics help relieve constipation in children?
Yes, probiotics may ease constipation by promoting gut health and regularity. Yogurt with live active cultures is a good source. Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir and kombucha also contain probiotics. Ask your pediatrician about probiotic supplements. Gradually increase fiber along with probiotics for best results.
4. What laxatives are safe for children?
Laxatives like Miralax, Milk of Magnesia, and mineral oil are considered safe for children in appropriate doses. Check with your pediatrician. Stop laxatives once bowel movements normalize. Never give laxatives without medical advice.
5. My child refuses to poop outside home. What should I do?
Stay patient and acknowledge your child’s anxiety without judgment. Provide reassurance that you’ll be there to assist them. Bring a portable potty when traveling. Make public toilet access easier with disposable covers, flush sounds on phones, and rewards after. With a calm, caring approach, your child can overcome this fear.
6. How much prune juice can I give a constipated child daily?
Up to 1⁄2 cup per day is considered safe, along with increased fluids and fiber. Warm prune juice mixed with cereal works well. Prune juice softens stools without harsh stimulant effects. Do not give it to children under 1 year old due to risk of dehydration.
7. What natural remedies help ease children’s constipation?
Fruits like pears, plums, figs, kiwis, oranges and dried fruits can provide relief. Vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes, peas and broccoli are beneficial. Spices like ginger, cumin and fennel also aid digestion. Light massage of the tummy in a clockwise motion can stimulate bowel movements. And remember, fluids and activity are key!
8. Is my child’s constipation serious enough to see a doctor?
Consult your pediatrician if constipation is accompanied by concerning symptoms like fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or significant weight loss. Also seek medical help if laxatives, dietary changes and potty training techniques don’t resolve chronic constipation after 2 weeks.
9. Are suppositories and enemas safe constipation remedies for kids?
These should only be used under medical guidance for severe constipation not relieved by other methods. Improper use can damage the bowel or rectum. Try laxatives, fluids, fiber, exercise and biofeedback therapy first. Discuss pros and cons of these approaches with your pediatrician.
10. Will my constipated child always have bathroom problems?
Not necessarily. Establishing healthy bowel habits early on can prevent recurrent issues. Keep diet fiber-rich, stay vigilant about potty routines, and talk to your child calmly about any bathroom fears. If childhood constipation is addressed appropriately, long-term problems are uncommon. Stay positive!
With the right balance of nutrition, patience and TLC in the bathroom, constipation can be managed. Don’t hesitate to consult your pediatrician if home remedies aren’t working. Stick with the plan, and your child’s bowels will be moving freely in no time.