Constipation

Possible Symptoms:

infrequent bowel movements

pain with bowel movements

hard and pebble like stools

unable to move bowels

small tears in the anal canal (fissures)

cramps

Constipation has various definitions but if a child cannot pass his/her stool or if there is obvious pain on passing stool, then he/she needs some treatment. Children often need to strain to have a bowel movement. If it is not painful, this is not a concern. Like adults, children may have different bowel habits. A daily bowel movement is not necessary.

The hardness of the stool depends on the fibre and water intake as well as the general health of the child. Breast-fed children may not move their bowels more often than once every 7 days. During the first week of life however, one should expect a daily bowel movement. Any change in diet, especially a change from breast milk to formula or the introduction of cows milk and solid food, may result in a temporary firming up of bowel movements. This change is usually self-correcting. Constipation does not cause fever.

Please answer the following questions to determine what to do next.

Questions

Are bowel movements soft?