Constipation

Ideally, by age 2, most children have at least 1 soft solid bowel movement daily.

A child with constipation can have:

• Less frequent bowel movements
• Harder bowel movements
• Large painful bowel movements, or 
• Leakage of small amounts of bowel movement into the underwear 

Conventional treatment for constipation usually involves changes in diet or behavior, or sometimes medication.

Common suggestions include:

• Drinking more water
• Eating more fiber (fruit and vegetables)
• Drinking juice (prune, apple, pear), or 
• Sitting on the toilet after meals if potty trained

“I felt defeated, trying to help our son with constipation and constant stomach aches. Dr. Sue listened and gave us hope for no more medications. I appreciate that she addresses the whole person, including diet and supplements. When my son said “I’m hungry!”, I realized her health plan was working. He never said that before because he always had a stomach ache. He’s now happy, healthy, without medications for years.” – Jennifer Dattilio