Understanding Symptoms, Treatment & When to Worry
Who is this guide for?
Parents of infants, toddlers, and children who:
- Have hard or painful stools
- Have blood in stools
Why this matters
Most every child will encounter periods of harder stools that may be painful. Acting at home can reduce pain for the child and concerns for parents.
To help families feel confident at home, ActiveKidMD has created a video series with:
- Clear action steps
- When to monitor vs. when to call
- Comfort tips you can use right away
How to use this guide
1. Watch the videos included in this article
2. Bookmark this page for future reference
3. Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-kk60nTl6iwuCiWfs0yJKQ
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Bowel movements are a normal part of life, but when stools become hard, it can cause discomfort for both children and parents. Understanding constipation and how to manage it can make a big difference in your child’s comfort and overall health.
Watch Parents’ Guide to Constipation: What Works, What Doesn’t
What is Constipation?
Constipation isn’t just about how often your child has a bowel movement. It’s more about symptoms like pain, difficulty passing stool, or even bleeding.
Some children with constipation may have loose stools or diarrhea. This can be confusing, but it happens when watery stool leaks around a blockage of harder stool in the gut. If your child has stool accidents or leakage in their underwear, constipation may be the underlying cause.
Why Do Hard Stools Hurt?
When stool builds up, it can stretch the lower part of the intestines. This stretching can be uncomfortable or painful, making children more hesitant to go—which can worsen the problem.
What Can You Do to Help?
Treatment depends on your child’s age:
Newborns
Newborns- If your newborn has not passed a soft stool within the first 24 hours of life, contact your pediatrician right away.
Infants (not yet on solid foods)
- For bottle-fed babies: You may offer a small amount of water (about 1 ounce) or a tiny amount of prune juice (¼ teaspoon) once daily.
- For breastfed babies: A small amount of prune juice (¼ teaspoon) can be given using a syringe or spoon.
Older Children (on solid foods)
- Limit constipating foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and white bread.
- Increase foods that help with digestion, including apricots, prunes, peaches, and plums (or their juices).
- Consider using MiraLAX (over the counter) only after consulting your pediatrician:
- It may be used daily or twice daily to relieve hard stools.
- It can also be used occasionally (1–2 times per week) for children prone to constipation.
- If it’s not effective, schedule an appointment for further evaluation.
- Suppositories and enemas are generally not recommended, as they can be uncomfortable and distressing for children.
Why Treat Constipation?
Constipation is usually not a short-term problem and may require ongoing dietary and lifestyle adjustments.
Treatment is important because:
- It helps relieve your child’s discomfort.
- Painful bowel movements can lead to stool withholding, creating a cycle of worsening constipation.
- Breaking this cycle can take several weeks, but consistent care makes a big difference.
The goal is not necessarily daily bowel movements, but rather stools that are soft, painless, and free of blood—so your child can feel comfortable, eat normally, be active, and healthy.
When to Contact ActiveKidMD
Reach out if your child has:
- Painful or infrequent bowel movements
- Stool leakage or accidents
- Red, black, or brown streaks in the stool
We’re here to support you. Schedule an appointment with ActiveKidMD today to create a personalized care plan for your child.
