When it comes to potty training, children easily learn how to pee in the potty. But it’s an entirely different story when it comes to poop. Some kids really hate the idea of pooping in the potty that they hold it in for as long as they could, which usually results in constipation. Constipation is no fun at all, especially in children.

Is My Child Constipated?

Some of the signs that your child may be constipated are:

  • Hard (pebble-like) and large poop
  • Hasn’t pooped in 3 days
  • Crying when pooping because of pain
  • Tummy pain
  • Blood around the poop because of anal fissures or tears in the skin of the skin
  • Encopresis or soiling accidents
  • Liquid poop in between harder poop

Constipation can also increase the risk of urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence in children.

What Causes Toddler Constipation?

Some possible causes of toddler constipation are:

  • Not enough fiber in their diet
  • A diet that includes too much formula or cow’s milk
  • Low fluid intake
  • Not getting enough activity or exercise
  • Holds back, ignores, or resists the urge to poop because of pain
  • Slower gut movement
  • Stress due to a sudden change in routine

What are the Available Treatments?

Your child’s doctor may recommend any of the following depending on certain circumstances.

  • Over-the-counter stool softeners or fiber supplements
  • Enemas
  • Laxatives

In case of severe constipation, your child may need a disimpaction. They need to be hospitalized for a brief period to be given a stronger enema to help clear their bowels

5 Important Things You Need to Know about Treating Constipation

Here are five important things you need to know about effectively treating your child’s constipation.

  • Drinking lots of water can help soften the stool for easy passage.
  • Eat a diet that includes high-fiber foods, such as green leafy vegetables, whole grains, bean, and legumes.
  • According to Medscape, laxatives have been found to be effective as a treatment for chronic childhood constipation.
  • Other studies also showed that mineral oil, magnesium hydroxide, lactulose, and polyethylene glycol could be used to treat constipation for prolonged periods of time without risk.
  • To produce the desired effect, you need a sufficient amount of laxative. In some cases, it may be necessary to use stimulant laxative intermittently. However, it is not recommended to use these agents routinely in very young children.

There are many home remedies you can try for constipation, such as making sure that your child eats a high-fiber diet and drinks plenty of water. However, if none of these remedies work or you simply do not know what to do, you can always seek the help of one of the pediatricians at Pediatrix who are experts in treating toddler constipation.