Constipation in Children
Helping your child become comfortable, confident and pain-free
Is your child struggling to poo? Are they holding on, complaining that it hurts, or going days without opening their bowels?
Constipation is one of the most common reasons children are referred to a paediatric dietitian, yet it can have a huge impact on everyday family life. From tummy aches and poor appetite to painful bowel movements and toilet anxiety, constipation can leave both children and parents feeling frustrated and worried.
The good news is that constipation is usually very treatable with the right support.
At Beam Dietitians, we help families understand why constipation is happening and create practical, personalised plans that support healthy bowel habits, improve nutrition and reduce the stress surrounding toileting.
Whether your child has occasional constipation or has been struggling for months or even years, we're here to help.
What is constipation?
Constipation isn't simply about how often your child goes to the toilet.
A child can poo every day and still be constipated if their stools are difficult or painful to pass.
Constipation usually means the stools have become hard, dry or difficult to pass because they have stayed in the bowel for too long.
Over time, this can lead to a build-up of stool in the bowel, making constipation worse and sometimes causing leakage of softer stool (often called overflow soiling).
Many children become trapped in a cycle where painful bowel movements lead them to avoid going to the toilet, which then makes the stools even harder to pass.
Breaking this cycle is often the key to successful treatment.
Signs your child may be constipated
Children don't always tell us they're constipated.
Common signs include:
Fewer than three bowel movements each week
Hard, dry or large stools
Painful bowel movements
Straining to poo
Withholding behaviours (standing on tiptoes, crossing legs, hiding or clenching)
Tummy pain
Bloating
Poor appetite
Feeling sick
Small amounts of loose stool leaking into underwear (overflow soiling)
Blood on the toilet paper caused by small tears around the anus
Toilet avoidance
Some children may also become irritable or reluctant to eat because they feel so uncomfortable.
Why does constipation happen?
There isn't always one single cause.
Common contributing factors include:
Low fibre intake
Children who eat very little fruit, vegetables, wholegrains or pulses may struggle to produce soft, bulky stools.
Not drinking enough fluids
Adequate fluid intake helps keep stools soft and easier to pass.
Toilet avoidance
Many children begin withholding after one painful bowel movement, creating a cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to break.
Changes in routine
Starting nursery or school, holidays, toilet training or stressful life events can all contribute.
Medical conditions
Constipation may also occur alongside conditions such as:
Cow's milk protein allergy
Coeliac disease
Hypothyroidism
Neurological conditions
Gastrointestinal disorders
Most constipation is functional, meaning there isn't an underlying disease causing it, but it's important to identify when further medical assessment may be needed.
How can a paediatric dietitian help?
Constipation isn't simply solved by telling children to "eat more fibre."
Every child's diet, bowel habits and lifestyle are different.
At Beam Dietitians, we'll assess the bigger picture and provide practical advice tailored to your child.
This may include:
Assessing fibre intake
Reviewing fluid intake
Practical meal and snack ideas
Supporting children with fussy eating
Helping establish regular eating patterns
Advice on age-appropriate fibre intake
Supporting healthy toilet routines
Guidance on constipation alongside allergies or gastrointestinal conditions
Working alongside your GP or paediatrician where appropriate
Our advice is designed to fit into everyday family life—not add more stress to it.
What about laxatives?
Many parents worry that laxatives will make their child "dependent."
In reality, laxatives are often an essential part of treating childhood constipation and are commonly prescribed by GPs and paediatricians.
If your child has been prescribed medication such as macrogol, it's important to continue following the advice of your healthcare professional.
Dietary changes alone are often not enough to treat established constipation, particularly when there is a significant build-up of stool in the bowel.
Our role is to complement medical treatment by optimising your child's nutrition and helping prevent constipation from returning.
Constipation and fussy eating
Children with constipation often have a poor appetite because they feel full.
Equally, children who eat a very limited diet may not be getting enough fibre or fluids to support healthy bowel movements.
This can create a cycle where constipation and fussy eating make each other worse.
We regularly support children experiencing both feeding difficulties and constipation, helping families improve nutrition while reducing bowel symptoms.
Constipation during weaning
It's common for babies to experience changes in their bowel habits when starting solids.
Sometimes this settles naturally as they adjust to new foods.
However, if your baby is:
Passing hard stools
Straining significantly
Appears uncomfortable
Has ongoing constipation
we can assess their diet and provide practical advice to support healthy bowel habits while ensuring they continue to receive balanced nutrition.
What to expect during your appointment
We'll take time to understand your child's:
Medical history
Growth
Current diet
Fluid intake
Bowel habits
Toileting routine
Physical activity
Feeding behaviours
Previous treatments
Family concerns
Following your assessment, we'll develop a personalised plan designed specifically for your child and provide realistic strategies you can begin implementing straight away.
Where appropriate, we'll also liaise with your wider healthcare team.
Why choose Beam Dietitians?
Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions we support within our NHS specialist practice.
As highly specialist paediatric dietitians working within the UK's largest children's hospital, we regularly help children with constipation, feeding difficulties and complex digestive conditions.
Families choose Beam because we provide:
Specialist NHS expertise
Evidence-based advice
Personalised nutrition plans
Practical strategies for everyday life
Compassionate, family-centred care
Online consultations available throughout the UK
We understand that constipation affects far more than bowel habits—it can impact confidence, eating, sleep and family life. Our aim is to help your child feel happier, healthier and more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child is constipated?
Constipation isn't just about how often your child poos. Hard, painful or difficult-to-pass stools, withholding behaviours and tummy pain are all common signs.
Can diet alone treat constipation?
Not always. While improving diet and fluid intake is important, many children also need laxatives prescribed by their GP or paediatrician, particularly if constipation has been present for some time.
Will increasing fibre fix constipation?
Fibre can help, but increasing fibre without adequate fluids may actually make symptoms worse. That's why it's important to look at the whole picture rather than focusing on one part of the diet.
Should I stop giving my child laxatives once they're pooing?
You should always follow the advice of your GP or paediatrician. Many children need laxatives for longer than parents expect to allow the bowel to recover fully.
Can constipation affect appetite?
Yes. Children who are constipated often feel full quickly, have reduced appetites and may become more selective with food. Improving constipation often helps improve appetite too.
Let's get your child back to feeling comfortable
Constipation can be distressing, but it doesn't have to become your child's normal.
At Beam Dietitians, we'll work with you to understand what's contributing to your child's constipation and create a personalised plan that supports healthy bowel habits, improves nutrition and makes everyday life that little bit easier.
Book an appointment today and take the first step towards happier tummies and healthier bowel habits.
