Constipation in Kids
It’s not polite to talk about poop. That’s what we tell our kids. Well any topic is fair game on the SHIFT Physical Therapy blog. Today I’m even encouraging talk about POOP (especially with our kids!). If poop problems are happening for our kids, how will we know if we discourage them from talking about it?
Are they having regular bowel movements - what is that frequency of bowel movements for them?
When they have bowel movements, are they fully formed stools? Or are they loose?
Are they passing stool that is overly firm or pebble-like?
Is it painful when they have bowel movements?
Maybe your child is holding in their bowel movements because they are afraid of experiencing pain like they did previously, or maybe they are scared of the environment they are pooping in (a portable toilet at a local park?), or maybe they are just feeling too busy to take a moment away from playing to take a bathroom break. Kids also have shorter legs that often dangle over the edge of a toilet seat, and without having a place to put their feet it can make their posture on the toilet less then ideal. Kids often need a small step stool to place their feet on while they are having a bowel movement so that they have a good pelvic position that is optimal for pooping.
If we refuse to talk about poop with our kids, then how will we know when something changes for them or they start experiencing difficulties with pooping? Constipation is a VERY common challenge for young children. One website even said that 1 in 20 pediatrician visits is due to constipation. Maybe your child who has been potty trained for several years suddenly starts having urinary accidents. Very often, urinary leakage in children (daytime or nighttime leakage) is related to constipation. If you only focus on the symptom that you’re noticing (urinary leakage) and don’t ask some questions or address the poop problems, you will get frustrated quickly with the ongoing urinary leakage.
What can we do for constipation in kids? First of all, look at their diet. Are they surviving on a diet of processed foods such pancakes, chicken nuggets, and macaroni and cheese? Start by being sure that your child is taking in plenty of (and a variety of) fruits and vegetables. They should also be consuming complex carbohydrates such as whole wheat bread or whole wheat pasta. Be sure they have plenty of fiber in their daily intake.
However, if you suddenly add lots of fiber to your kid's diet, you could actually make their constipation WORSE. Slowly increase their fiber intake if they currently are not getting very much. Equally as important to fiber is FLUID. Your child needs to have water to help move all that fiber through the bowels. Children are notorious for being “too busy” to remember to drink water while they are playing. Be sure they are taking breaks to get plenty of water in their day.
In addition to fiber and water intake, make sure the kids are moving too! Movement stimulates the bowels! Getting plenty of outside play time to keep the bowels moving regularly.
So let’s talk about poop with our kids. That way we know when we need to help them to poop with ease. If you or your kiddo are struggling with constipation, reach out to SHIFT Physical Therapy for some assistance from your local pelvic floor physical therapist. No topic is off limits at SHIFT!
Written by: Renee Hancock, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
