What is Pediatric Constipation?
Constipation means your child is having trouble pooping. Most children should poop at least every other day. If your child is pooping less often, having pain or avoiding the bathroom, they may be constipated. It is also possible to have regular bowel movements (poop normally) but not fully empty the colon, which can result in constipation.
Constipation is common in babies, toddlers and older children. Signs can look different by age:
- Infants may grunt, cry or arch their back while trying to poop. They may pass small, hard stools and poop less often than expected.
- Toddlers may hold their poop, especially after a painful experience. They might squat, hide or cross their legs.
- Older kids may avoid school bathrooms and say their stomach hurts. They might stop eating or soil their underwear.