Constipation Relief for Kids
It’s hard to see your little one’s struggle with digestive troubles. Constipation is common in kids and usually easy to relieve at home. But when the problem won’t go away, there are treatments and changes to make to get your kids back on the right (digestive) track.
The problem is often caused by diet, says Ajay Rana, MBBS, MS, a pediatric gastroenterologist with Golisano Children’s Hospital’s new Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center.
“The gut’s anatomy might be fine, but things like not drinking enough water or eating foods that make stool hard can cause problems. And then kids may associate pooping with pain and try to hold it in.”
If a child retains poop for a long time, it can get packed in and stuck in the rectum. When bowel movements are infrequent (two or fewer a week), it’s often because the stool has become hard and painful to push out. This can lead to “overflow incontinence,” when additional stool backs up in the rectum and intestines and leaks around the stuck section. The overflow can be mistaken for diarrhea.
Symptoms to watch for include:
- Not pooping for a few days
- Hard, dry stool
- Complaints of belly or lower back pain
- Signs of trying to “hold it in” (clenching teeth, crossing legs, or squeezing the butt)
Behavioral issues are often a cause as well, such as children holding it in out of fear of pain or because they’re so engaged in an activity like playing that they don’t want to stop and use the toilet. Less common causes of constipation include neurological and genetic factors.
How to Relieve Constipation in Kids at Home
Start by changing their diet and bathroom habits.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat a high-fiber diet. Kids should have four to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Fiber from those foods adds bulk to stool and retains more water, making it easier to pass. Prune or pear juice can help soften stool.
- Bananas can help or harm. An unripe banana is higher in resistant starch, which is more difficult to digest and can lead to firmer stool and discomfort. But ripe bananas are high in fiber, so choose those.
- Improve toilet posture. Prop up your child’s feet on a small stool (not poop, a stepping stool!) to help position the bowels for easier pooping.
- Schedule toilet time. Encourage your child to sit on the toilet for five to ten minutes, once or twice a day, without screens. “Toilet means business,” Dr. Rana said.
Kids’ Constipation Quick Relief Ideas
If natural remedies don’t help, talk with your child’s care team or pharmacist about which over-the-counter medications might work best. Constipation medicine for kids includes:
- Stool softeners or magnesium supplements: Both draw water into the stool to make it softer and easier to pass, helping with mild constipation.
- Fiber supplements: For adding bulk to stool.
- Osmotic Laxatives: (like MiraLAX) draw water into the bowel, softening the stool and making it easier to pass.
- Bowel stimulants: (like senna, bisacodyl) stimulate the muscles in the intestines, increasing contractions to help move stool more quickly.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your child’s healthcare provider if you notice these worsening symptoms:
- Constipation lasts more than two weeks
- Difficulty with daily activities due to discomfort
- Straining to pass stool or inability to push poop out
- Leaking soft or liquid stool (which could indicate impacted, hard stool)
- Small, painful tears in the skin (called anal fissures)
What Are Motility Services?
At Golisano Children’s Hospital, the pediatric Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center helps children with gastrointestinal motility disorders by offering personalized care and support. With a team of specialists—including gastroenterologists, surgeons, child psychologists, social workers, and dieticians—the Center addresses both physical and emotional aspects of chronic digestive issues. It is the only pediatric motility center in New York State outside of New York City, providing access to advanced treatments all under one roof.
Services include:
- Physical exams and diagnostic testing
- Testing for conditions like celiac disease or thyroid disorders
- Analysis of motor function and bowel dynamics
- Neurological evaluations and psychological support for kids struggling with chronic constipation due to anxiety or fear
Get Care Now
Golisano Children’s Hospital features the region’s only Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center. They provide specialized care for children experiencing gastrointestinal motility disorders, offering high quality treatment tailored to their unique needs.
