Toddler Constipation Relief: Gut Health Remedies and Tips

Summary

If you’re looking for safe toddler constipation relief remedies that go beyond prune juice, you’ve come to the right place. Although there is no strict definition, constipation in toddlers generally refers to fewer than three bowel movements per week or the presence of hard stool or painful bowel movements.

In a diaper, hard stool may look like stool made of many small lumps or formed stool that’s lumpy.

Constipation in children is somewhat common, with an estimated 30% of kids developing constipation at some point in their early life [1,2].

The most significant changes in your child's life that can lead to constipation include:

• When a baby changes diet from breastmilk (or formula) to solid food
• When toddlers begin toilet training, this can lead to withholding
• When kids start school [1]

Signs of constipation in toddlers

Signs of constipation in toddlers are pretty straightforward and in many ways, similar to adults. Hard, painful, and infrequent stool can point to toddler constipation.

• Fewer than three poops per week
• Mild to severe abdominal pain
• Hard, lumpy stool that may not pass easily
• Withholding, which may look like your little one crossing legs or making scrunchy faces
• Eating less or feeling less hungry than usual
• Short temperament for no apparent reason

What causes constipation in toddlers?

Withholding is a common cause of constipation in little ones. Many toddlers tend to ignore the urge to poop because they are busy playing. Over time, this makes stool harder and more challenging to pass.

Other causes of constipation in toddlers include:

• The need for more fluids each day
• The need for more dietary fiber
• Food sensitivities to common allergens, like gluten or dairy
• A change in environment, such as a new school
• Some medications, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and antihistamines
• Iron supplementation
• Withholding and fear around potty training
• Slow gut movement, also referred to as motility

Does the gut microbiome play a role in constipation?

While it makes sense that the gut microbiome would have a direct relationship to constipation, the reality is that it’s too soon to say what that relationship is. The link between the gut microbiome and constipation is not well studied, especially in toddlers and children [3].

Multiple factors - such as type of delivery (vaginal or C-section birth), type of feeding (breastfeeding, formula, or a combo), and antibiotic use - can influence the baby gut microbiome [4].

Toddler constipation remedies

Fortunately, there are a few remedies and healthy habits that you can try at home to move things along and get your toddler poop when constipated.

Healthy potty habits include:

• Sitting on the toilet regularly after breakfast, lunch, and dinner for around three to five minutes. Even if they don't poop, a habit is built.
• Encouraging your little one to listen to their body and not withhold poop. Show them that they can continue playing after toilet time.
• Getting rid of frightening or painful associations, when possible. Ensure your toilet is equipped with special toddler toilet seats and rails since many kids worry they will fall in the toilet. You may also want to bring your toddler their favorite books so they can look at them.

How to help toddler constipation?

• Make sure your toddler drinks enough water. Water and other liquids are essential to soften everything in our gut, which will make the poop pass quickly [12].
• Watch milk consumption. Too much dairy can cause constipation or make ongoing constipation worse. Instead, try replacing it with dairy alternatives such as almond or oat milk, as long as your little one is not allergic to them [1].

Fiber: The ultimate stool softener for kids

Most toddler constipation relief remedies include some sort of fiber recommendation. This is because fiber - in its many forms - is the ultimate toddler stool softener. The trick to doing this effectively, though, is to know what kind of fiber you’re looking for.

There are two types of fiber: Insoluble fiber and soluble fiber.

1. Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water and falls into the category of “roughage.”
2. Soluble fiber dissolves in water. This type of fiber includes many commonly used prebiotics, such as:
   • Inulin
   • GOS
   • FOS
   • Chicory root fiber

A toddler constipation remedy for picky eaters

One type of prebiotic that isn’t technically a “fiber” but is a non-digestible carb are the HMOs (human milk oligosaccharides) found in breastmilk and some prebiotic supplements.

Toddlers, older kids, and adults with constipation can also benefit from HMOs.

References

[1] Vriesman, M.H. et al. (2020) Management of functional constipation in children and adults. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 17, 21–39.

[2] Camilleri, M. et al. (2017) Chronic constipation. Nat Rev Dis Primers 3, 17095.

[3] Avelar Rodriguez, D. et al. (2021) Functional Constipation and the Gut Microbiome in Children: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. Front. Pediatr. 8, 595531.

[4] Moraes, J.G. de et al. (2016) Fecal Microbiota and Diet of Children with Chronic Constipation. International Journal of Pediatrics 2016, 1–8.