Constipation is common in children 6 months and older. Children have different normal bowel patterns. Constipation is based more on hard, dry, or painful stools than on how often your child has a bowel movement.
Healthy daily habits can help prevent and treat constipation. Continue breastfeeding when possible. Prepare infant formula exactly as directed on the label. For babies over 6 months, offer small amounts of water with meals while breast milk or formula remains their main drink. Once your child eats solid foods, choose fibre-rich foods such as pears, prunes, peaches, peas, beans, oatmeal, vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. Increase fibre gradually and encourage enough fluids.
For toilet-trained children, encourage sitting on the toilet for 5 to 10 minutes after meals, especially after breakfast. Support your child's feet with a small stool. Praise every effort and avoid punishment or pressure. Daily active play also helps the bowels work well. Regular toilet sitting, healthy eating, fluids, and physical activity can help support healthy bowel habits.
Do not start laxatives, enemas, suppositories, or herbal products without advice from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist. If your child already has a constipation treatment plan, continue it exactly as directed.
Arrange a medical visit if constipation lasts more than 1 to 2 weeks despite home care, keeps returning, causes painful bowel movements, poor eating, poor growth, or stool leakage, which can be a sign of severe constipation. Seek urgent medical care if your child has severe or ongoing belly pain, repeated vomiting, fever, a swollen belly, blood in the stool, or black or white stools.
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