How to Help a Constipated Toddler

Constipation makes everyone grumpy.  On top of that, imagine you are constipated, but don’t have the understanding of your own body or means of how to relieve it.  Ugh!  I feel for these kiddos.

Here are a few signs that your child may be constipated and some potential remedies:

• Small, “ball like” stool.  If you are like me and love a good infographic, check out the Bristol Stool Chart.  You can find a “fun” copy of it at the Stanford Pediatric Surgery site (bonus - it also works for adult poop!) Click here 
• Struggling with potty training your two or three year old?  Constipation may be a cause – it may be quite painful for them to go #2.  Dr. Sears reveals a number of causes for reluctant toilet users as well as some tried and true approaches:
• I recently learned that constipation in children can lead to peeing accidents, as the poop is literally pushing against the child’s bladder.  Read more about that from Cincinnati Children's

Just a reminder that I am not a medical professional, and your best bet is always to speak with your pediatrician about your child’s individual needs.

As the Mayo Clinic’s website states “Constipation in children usually isn't serious. However, chronic constipation may lead to complications or signal an underlying condition”

You can find a list of symptoms and remedies for Constipation in Children on the Mayo Clinic’s website