Going to the bathroom is such a natural part of being human—or should it be? Unfortunately, many people struggle with this. Constipation is a problem that affects not only adults but also children, causing much discomfort and worry for parents. But is there any way to prevent, relieve, or solve constipation in children?

First of all, it’s important to remember that simply not having a bowel movement every day does not mean your child is constipated. After all, every child’s body, system, and bowel works in its own way and we should never compare them to the habits of other children. Some children are used to going to the bathroom right after meals, maybe once or twice a day, while others go every two days and feel no discomfort at all. That’s why each case should be assessed individually and symptoms checked to be sure of the problem and know how to help.

There is no normal bathroom frequency that is considered a rule; however, parents need to observe their child’s usual routine. If your child goes out of their usual pattern or frequency, accompanied by complaints of stomach pain, for example, they may be struggling with constipation. There are a few main reasons for this:

  • Low Fiber Intake – A proper and healthy diet for a child reflects their health and how their whole body responds1. Eating fibrous foods like vegetables and fruits helps the intestines work well and lets the child go to the bathroom regularly. That’s why children who eat mainly milk and dairy products, when they should be eating other foods, often suffer from constipation.

  • Dehydration – Not drinking enough water or certain health problems cause dehydration in the body2 and as a consequence, constipation can occur in children.

  • Voluntary Withholding – Voluntary withholding3 is when a child begins to hold back and resist having a bowel movement. Many start to do this because they felt pain on a previous occasion and, by associating “pooping” with that pain they felt, prefer not to go or hold it in as long as they can.

How to Know if the Bowels Are Constipated and How to Treat?

The first step to knowing if your child is suffering from constipation is to monitor their routine, check for any changes, and observe their behavior during bowel movements. Children often start to fear this moment because of the discomfort they feel when their stool is very hard and dry. This is another sign to watch for, as when constipated, stool tends to be even drier, making it harder to pass. In many cases, blood streaks are noticed in the stool or even on the toilet paper when wiping.

If your child usually goes every day or every two or three days and this interval keeps getting longer, your child may be suffering from constipation. Changes in the stool, such as very liquid stool can also be a sign, since the hardened part of the stool may be “stuck” and when straining, only liquid comes out, so care is needed not to confuse this with possible diarrhea. Another obvious sign is if, after a bout of complaining of stomach pain, the child has a bowel movement and the pain immediately goes away.

These signs detected—what can be done to relieve this discomfort and help my child poop without suffering? The first change should be in the diet, where foods that tend to constipate and dry out the stool even more should be avoided, like rice, potatoes, apples, bananas, and milk and dairy products. By offering a complete diet rich in fiber, you’ll quickly notice an improvement in your child’s bowel habits.

Some foods offer extra help and support the intestines in working properly, like papaya, prunes, and beans. Cereals and bread are also good helpers if it’s difficult to get your child to eat fruits and vegetables. Drinking plenty of water also helps to “soften” the stool and make going to the bathroom less painful.

Physical activity also positively helps bowel movements—make sure your child plays enough and gets involved in sports, which will help ensure a 100% quality of life. If you’re unable to solve the issue with the tips above, talk to your pediatrician, who may prescribe a mild laxative or natural lubricant to help your child. Glycerin suppositories are also an option, but should be used with caution and only as an emergency measure.

Also see: Constipation in Babies – Causes and What to Do Foto: João Perdigão, sneakerdog