Toddler constipation

Toddler constipation

Knowing when your tot's constipated

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Melanie Bazarte, PhD

Dr. Melanie Bazarte has a doctorate in Early Childhood Education and specializes in assisting parents in the care of their young children.

Article in collaboration with: Lucille Beseler, RDN

How you will know if your toddler is constipated

If your toddler doesn't have a bowel movement (poop) every day, do not worry. Not having a bowel movement every day is not constipation. If he goes longer than a couple of days without pooping, and then passes hard, dry stools, that's evidence he's constipated.

  • Symptoms of toddler constipation are:
    • Straining
    • abdominal  or bottom pain with or before a bowel movement

Painful defecation and constipation can lead to stool withholding and soiling of underwear (encopresis) when stools leak around the harder poop.

It's important to monitor your toddler's diet, especially he or she is learning to use the toilet.

Toddler constipation


Adapted from Nurturing with Nutrition by Dr. Melanie Bezarte and Lucille Beseler, RDN

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