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"Doctors love to talk about poop." -Dr. Marisa to all of her kids who are nervous to discuss their bowel habits!
Concerns about bowel movements are very common reasons for a visit to the pediatrician. Every kid has their own normal pattern which may be daily, twice a day, every other day or whatever usually works for them as long as the stools are soft and easy to pass.
Constipation is diagnosed in kids passing large, hard, dry or painful bowel movements that may also be less frequently than their normal pattern. Some other signs could be:
abdominal pain
decreased appetite
liquid stool passing around hard stool in the rectum (encoporesis)
blood
urinary or stool accidents
While there may be underlying medical conditions causing a child to be constipated (such as low thyroid and others), the most common diagnosis is something called "functional constipation". Your doctor will ask a bunch of questions to figure out if any testing is needed for other causes.
Something that is surprising to parents is that a kid can poop every day but still be constipated! They may just sit there long enough to relieve the pressure then go about their day. Kids have waaaayyy better things to do than sit on the toilet and fully empty their rectums. They may be having so much fun playing that they withhold stool because they don't want to take time out for a potty break at all. Being sick or changes in routine can also throw off their poop schedule.
Diet also plays a role. Many kids are not getting enough fiber daily from foods such as whole grains, vegetables, beans and apples and pears with the skin. A rule of thumb for how many grams of fiber daily for kids ages 2 and up is "5 + their age". They should also drink plenty of water. Studies have shown that too much dairy can cause problems as well.
Constipation can be treated in several ways.
Ensure the proper diet the best you can.
Schedule regular times to sit on the potty, especially after eating due to an intestinal reflex.
Your doctor may prescribe medications that are appropriate for your child's age and situation.
Oral medications work by softening the stool, stimulating the gut to move the stool through, or by drawing extra water into the intestines.
They may also recommend using a suppository or enema. You do not want to overuse these since your child could become dependent on them.
Some parents find probiotics work.
I often recommend a fiber gummy that is also a multi-vitamin (see below). Two things to note... make sure your child is old enough to chew it so they don't choke. I even cut my daughter's in half to make sure. And don't tell your dentist on me! They aren't fans of gummies, but I figure most kids are eating stuff that isn't the best for their teeth so why not make it something that also helps their body?!?
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So if you are sensing that something is off with your child's bowel habits or they are complaining of belly pain, don't hesitate to make an appointment with your pediatrician! We are here to help you sort out what's going on and find the best way to fix it! 😁💩
