Problems with bowel movements are common and not always serious. An infant, in particular, sometimes has to exert some effort, causing the face to turn red during defecation. This is normal and is not a sign of a blockage. Stool frequency can also vary greatly from child to child.
The differences in frequency depend on the diet and the child.
Constipation refers to delayed, hard and painful stools.
When stool remains in the colon for a long time, increasingly more fluid is withdrawn, making the stool harder and defecation more difficult. Sometimes small bits of loose stools are seen, which suggests that the problem has been solved. However, this is ‘overflow diarrhoea’ - loss of bowel movements over which the child no longer has control, due to stretching of the bowels. In these children, the doctor can determine that a lot of stool is present in the intestines and treatment must nevertheless be initiated.
If the complaints (pain, crying, etc.) worsen or if there are additional complaints (vomiting, fever, poor weight development, food refusal, etc.), please consult a doctor. The doctor will assess whether diet could be the cause and whether other factors could play a role.
Your doctor will discuss the treatment options with you.
Usually, dietary habits will need to be adjusted. In young children, the use of laxatives is not usually recommended unless under the supervision of a doctor.
A further approach can consist of recommending to exercise more or to do relaxation exercises, such as massage, and not to dwell so much on the bowel problem.
See our brochure here for dietary advice for constipation.
