https://kingstonhospital.nhs.uk/information/constipation-in-children
This is for anyone looking after a baby or child who has, or may have, constipation.
Constipation is a common problem in childhood. Often there is no particular reason for it, but it can be upsetting for you and your child.
Children are constipated if they pass hard painful poo, if they have infrequent poo, or a combination of both. Medical professionals sometimes use the word ‘stool’ to describe poo.
Your child may be constipated if you notice one or more of the following:
This chart helps you assess your child’s shape and type of poo.
Children become constipated for many reasons, but sometimes there is no obvious cause. It may be that your child has been ill with a fever and was drinking less. Or your child may not have been drinking enough fluids or having enough fibre from fruit and vegetables in their diet.
This table shows how much fluid male and female children need to drink.
| Male (mls milk) | Female (mls milk) | |
| Infant 0 to 6 months | 700 | 700 |
| Babies 7 to 12 months | 600 | 600 |
| Children 1 to 3 years | 900 | 900 |
| Children 4 to 8 years | 1200 | 1200 |
| Children 9 to 13 years | 1800 | 1600 |
| 14 to 18 year-olds | 2600 | 1800 |
Sometimes children get constipated when they are stressed about potty or toilet training. Or something else may be worrying them, like school or nursery.
Children who are less physically active (because of their lifestyle or because they have a disability) are more likely to suffer with constipation.
Make a GP appointment soon if you think your child may be constipated. Treatment works better if it’s started early. Laxatives are often recommended for children who are eating solid foods, together with advice about diet and exercise.
Laxatives (a type of medication that helps you poo) can help soften and regulate poo which makes it easier for your child to go to the toilet. There are lots of different laxatives but the most commonly used are Movicol or Laxido.
It may take several months for treatment to work. Laxatives may make your child’s overflow soiling worse before it gets better.
Once your child’s constipation is under control, your GP may advise your child to keep taking the treatment for a while longer, to make sure everything is back to normal.
Make sure they drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or squash per day.
Encourage them to eat a high fibre diet. Foods with high fibre include fruit, vegetables, high-fibre bread, baked beans, and wholegrain breakfast cereals.
Encourage them to be physically active.
Try to get them into a regular toilet habit after meals or before bed, and praise them whether they poo or not. This is particularly important for potty-trained boys, who may forget about pooing once they are weeing standing up.
Make sure your child can rest their feet flat on the floor or a step when they’re using the potty or toilet. This ensures their knees are higher than their hips. Encourage them to also lean forward a bit. This helps get them in a good position for pooing.
Stay calm and allow plenty of time so your child doesnt feel stressed or rushed.
This picture shows the best way for your child to sit on the toilet. You may to use a footrest.
Contact your GP if you have followed the advice in this leaflet and your child is still constipated. Your GP may refer your child to a paediatric clinic for further help.
 NHS information on keeping kids active www.nhs.uk/change4life/activities |  |
 Bladder and Bowel UK www.bbuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Understanding-childhood-constipation-leaflet-advice-for-parents-and-carers.pdf | |
 ERIC The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity eric.org.uk |  |
| Paediatric Admin Team, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm |
020 8934 6403 khft@paediatricadmin@nhs.net |
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Please speak to a member of staff before or during your visit to the hospital if you require translation support to access Patient Information. Please ring the phone number on your appointment letter, if you have one.
Please contact the Patient Experience Team on 020 893 3850 if you need this information in a different format.
For detailed information on accessibility at Kingston Hospital visit Kingston Hospital AccessAble (https://www.accessable.co.uk/kingston-hospital-nhs-foundation-trust).
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