What to Do If Your Child Is Constipated
Constipation in Kids: What Ontario Parents Need to Know
When your child hasn't pooped in three days, it's completely normal to feel worried. The good news? Most childhood constipation is common, manageable, and not dangerous. While uncomfortable for your little one, there are plenty of gentle ways to help get things moving again.
What's going on?
Constipation happens when stool moves too slowly through the intestines, making it hard and difficult to pass. For most kids, this means going three or more days without a bowel movement, or having very hard, painful poops when they do go.
Children get constipated for lots of everyday reasons. Maybe they've been drinking less water, eating fewer fruits and vegetables, or holding it in because they're too busy playing. Starting school, potty training stress, or even just changes in routine can slow things down. Some kids naturally have slower digestive systems, and that's okay too.
The important thing to remember is that occasional constipation is incredibly common in childhood. Most of the time, it resolves with simple home care and doesn't signal anything serious.
What you might notice
- No bowel movement for three or more days
- Hard, dry, or pellet-like stools when they do go
- Straining or crying during bowel movements
- Stomach pain or bloating
- Less appetite than usual
- Small streaks of blood on toilet paper from straining
What helps at home
Start with gentle, natural approaches that work well for most kids. Increase water intake throughout the day, especially if your child has been drinking less lately. Add fiber-rich foods like apples, pears, berries, whole grain bread, and vegetables to meals and snacks.
Movement helps too. Encourage your child to run around, jump, or even do gentle bicycle legs while lying down. For toddlers, a warm bath can relax their muscles and make going easier.
You can try a small amount of prune juice (start with 2-4 ounces) or add a teaspoon of ground flaxseed to yogurt or smoothies. Some parents find that having their child sit on the toilet for a few minutes after meals helps establish a routine.
When to worry
Head to the emergency room if your child has severe stomach pain, is vomiting repeatedly, has a fever along with constipation, or their belly feels very hard and swollen.
Call your doctor or text Arlo if it's been more than five days without a bowel movement, if there's ongoing pain even after pooping, or if constipation keeps happening despite trying home remedies. We can help you figure out the right approach for your child's age and situation.
The takeaway
Three days without pooping is uncomfortable but rarely dangerous. You've got this, and there are lots of gentle ways to help your little one feel better.
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References - [Constipation in children](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/constipationinchildren)
- [Constipation](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=6&language=english)
- [Digestive health for children](https://www.ontario.ca/page/digestive-health-children)