Family Doctor Health Advisor
Children: Babies under one
Sleeping problems in babies | Excessive crying | Fever in babies | Vomiting in babies | Diarrhoea in babies | Feeding problems | Slow weight gain | Skin problems in babies
Children: All ages
Feeling generally unwell | Tiredness | Sleeping problems in children | Growth problems | Excessive weight gain | Fever in children | Rash with fever | Skin problems in children | Hair, scalp, and nail problems | Itching | Lumps and swellings | Dizziness, fainting, and seizures | Headache | Confusion and/or drowsiness | Clumsiness | Speech difficulties | Behaviour problems | School difficulties | Eye problems | Disturbed or impaired vision | Painful or irritated ear | Hearing problems | Runny or blocked nose | Sore throat | Coughing | Breathing problems | Mouth problems | Teeth problems | Eating problems | Vomiting in children | Abdominal pain | Diarrhoea in children | Constipation | Abnormal-looking faeces | Urinary problems | Toilet-training problems | Genital problems in boys | Genital problems in girls | Painful arm or leg | Joint and back problems | Foot problems | Limping
Children: Adolescents
Adolescent weight problems | Adolescent behaviour problems | Problems with puberty in boys | Problems with puberty in girls | Adolescent skin problems
Constipation
Consult this chart if your child is not having regular bowel movements or if he or she is passing very hard or pellet-like faeces. There is a wide variation in the normal frequency with which children empty their bowels. Some children have a bowel movement several times a day, others have one every 2 or 3 days. Both of these extremes are normal so long as the child is otherwise well and the faeces are not hard or painful to pass. It is also normal for babies and toddlers to strain and go bright red in the face when passing a normal, soft faeces, although parents sometimes mistake this as a sign that their child is constipated. Minor changes to a child's usual bowel habit are often caused by a change in diet or in the daily routine, an illness, dehydration (especially in hot weather), or emotional stress.
Warning
Laxatives Laxatives are medicines that speed up the movement of faeces through the bowel. There are several types that work in different ways. Some are not suitable for children; your doctor should decide on which, if any, is suitable for your child. Never give your child a laxative unless it has been prescribed or suggested by your doctor.
Self-Help Avoiding constipation in children
Healthy snacks
A piece of fruit, such as a banana or an unpeeled apple, makes an enjoyable, fibre-rich snack for a child of any age.
Constipation in children aged over 6 months is often a result of a lack of sufficient fluids or fibre in the diet. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids throughout the day. Gradually increase the amount of fibre-rich foods in your child's diet; these include fruits, vegetables, wholegrain cereals, beans and pulses, and wholegrain bread. Try to give your child one or more of these foods at every meal. Encourage your child to go to the toilet after meals and allow plenty of time so that he or she does not feel rushed.
Family Doctor Health Advisor is for information purposes only, and is designed as a general reference and catalyst to seeking further information.
The RACGP is not engaged in providing medical or other advice or services, and is not responsible for the results of any actions taken by any person on the basis of any information in this publication, or for any error in, or omission from, this publication.
Publication Date: 31 March 2009
Authorised By: RACGP
