Symptoms of constipation in children

Your child may be constipated if:

• they have not done a poo at least 3 times in the last week
• their poo is large and hard
• their poo looks like “rabbit droppings” or little pellets
• they are straining or in pain when they poo
• they have some bleeding during or after having a poo, because their poo is large and hard
• they have a poor appetite or stomach pain that improves after they poo

If your child is over 1 year old, soiled pants can be another sign of constipation, as runny poo (diarrhoea) may leak out around the hard, constipated poo. This is called overflow soiling.

Causes of constipation in children

Constipation in children has many possible causes. Sometimes there’s no obvious reason.

Some of the possible causes include:

• not eating enough high-fibre foods like fruit and veg
• not drinking enough fluids
• feeling pressured or being regularly interrupted while potty (or toilet) training
• feeling worried or anxious about something – such as moving house, the arrival of a new baby, or starting nursery or school

If your child is constipated they may find it painful to poo, which may mean they do not want to try to poo. This can create a vicious circle; the more they hold back, the more constipated they get.