Constipation In Toddler's : Why Should Parents Be Concerned About Their Toddler's Constipation

Every mom has those mommy moments when their children have very hard, dry stool, and has infrequent bowel movements.

Constipation is quite common in a toddler’s life especially around the time of potty or toilet training. Usually, bowel pattern differs from child to child. What is normal for your child may be different for another child. Some children have regular bowel movements like clockwork, but other kids can have two to three days without any bowel movements.

So, mommies how do you know if infrequent bowel movements are normal for your toddler or if your toddler is really constipated. Read on to know more about Toddler’s constipation and when it creates a problem and the way to treat it naturally.

What is Constipation in Toddlers and its symptoms?

Constipation in toddlers is a common problem; they pass a really hard or dry stool with pain and discomfort and have fewer bowel movements. Some parents think that, if their child features a bowel movement, typically only once, or a couple of times per week- this is not constipation unless the stool is hard.

Symptoms that a toddler has constipation include:

Do not worry if your child has constipation – it is perfectly normal once in a while. Parents keep track of their child’s bowel movements and it is also recommended to consult your doctor if you find severs in any of the below symptoms:

   --> Less than a couple of bowel movements per week

   --> Bowel movements – which is tough, dry, or sometimes difficult to pass

   --> Stomach pain

   --> Sometimes blood on the surface of hard stool

   --> Kid’s try to hold the stool due to pain during bowel movement

Some of the other symptoms which can occur along with usual symptoms include:

   --> Bloating

   --> Nausea

   --> Loss of appetite

   --> Crying during bowel movements

   --> Little bit of liquid stool in the diaper or panties

What Causes Constipation in Toddler?

The reasons behind constipation in toddlers are many like – from diet to medications. Look below to understand the common causes of constipation:

1. Unhealthy Eating Habit

   The most important reason for toddler’s constipation is unhealthy eating habits including eating too many foods that contain high fat like processed foods, sweets, dairy products, and low in fiber like whole grains, fruits, and veggies.

   Not drinking enough water and other fluids also can cause constipation because it makes the stool harder.

  When they have changed in their regular diet. This includes when babies change from breast milk or formula milk to cow’s milk, or when they started having solid foods.

2. Withholding

   Generally, the average of 2 to 3-year-old children shows more interest in playing with the toys. So, they try to hold the stool and feel like they do not want to use the bathroom because they are too busy playing.

  Some children withhold or are afraid to use the bathroom, especially when it is a public washroom. When your child has a painful bowel movement like large, hard, dry stool also be the reason for withholding. Next time they fear pooping because it may cause pain.

3. Change in Regular Routine

    A change in your child’s regular routine like - When you are going on vacation and being far away from their normal washroom, this makes some toddlers show unwillingness to go the bathroom.

4. Lack of Physical Activity

    Exercise is necessary for normal bowel movements. When your child is constipated, teach your children to do more physical activity like playing on the ground or doing exercises. This activity speeds up the process of digestion and intestinal muscles squeeze better during bowel movement.

5. Illness and Medication

   Changes in appetite due to stomach bugs or stomach infections or other illnesses can affect your child’s eating habits, resulting in constipation.

  Some medications during illness or other supplements for your children's health wellness also can cause constipation.

Natural Remedies to Treat Toddler’s Constipation

Treating your toddler's constipation is very easy with the help of natural remedies. Here are some natural remedies that worked out well to treat my toddler's constipation. Before choosing these natural remedies for your toddler, do consult your doctor.

1. Get Enough Water

    The first step to treat constipation in toddlers is, drinking enough water. Drinking more water helps to soften stools, and provides relief from pain during bowel movement.

    Note: If your toddler does not like to drink plain water, then try adding some flavor into it like adding fresh fruit juice cubes or just mixing fruit juice in water

2. Offer Healthy Foods

   Offer a lot of water-rich fruits like watermelon, musk melon, cucumber, citrus fruits, grapes, and many others. This may help your toddler, especially if they do not drink enough water. You can also offer more well-balanced meals and snacks. Eating a healthy meal will often cause a bowel movement within 30 to 60 minutes

3. Fiber-Rich Foods

   Include fiber-rich foods in your toddler's regular diet. Fiber-rich foods include whole grains, apples, dried fruits(figs, dates), nuts, lentils, and many others. Whenever you include fiber-rich foods in your toddler's diet along with offering a lot of water, healthy fats,  and water-rich foods to help the digestive system work well and also to avoid making the problem worse.

4. Physical Activity

    Encourage and help your toddler play or do simple exercise a lot during the day as this can help with constipation. Exercise helps with better digestion. It helps to push the food forward as it is digested.

5. Regular Bowel Habit

   Encourage your toddler to sit on the toilet for a minimum of 10 minutes, especially after every meal and also whenever they feel the urge to go. Appreciate your toddler for using the bathroom with some special stickers or badges so it becomes a good experience.

Foods Should Avoid When your Child is Constipated

To prevent or relieve from constipation, it is necessary that the following foods should be avoided:

  --> Fast foods

  --> Frozen meals and snacks

  --> Processed foods and fried foods

When to call the doctor

  --> Severe pain when they try to poop

  --> Blood in the stool

  --> Sometimes vomiting, and high fever along with constipation

  --> Constipation is not improving after making healthy eating habits and other treatments

  --> Unusual weight loss or a loss of appetite

Final Thought

Constipation in babies and toddler is usually short-term and it is not anyway related to an underlying health condition. It can be a symbol of something else. Consult your doctor if constipation becomes chronic and does not resolve with home remedies.