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Constipation

Constipation is extremely common in childhood. It is important that your child has a regular bowel habit when trying to improve any problem with day-time or night-time wetting.

Basic rules

• a positive approach is best,
• encourage a diet high in fibre,
• ensure an adequate fluid intake,
• encourage a regular bowel habit.

The child should be encouraged to have a varied diet with plenty of fibre (see below). Adequate fluid intake is extremely important (see fluid advice).

Our aim is for the child to have a soft, toothpaste consistency stool. If this cannot be achieved by diet and fluid alone then medications such as Movicol or Lactulose can be considered. Your GP will be able to advise on medications for constipation.

A regular bowel habit is also important, children with constipation often have discomfort when they open their bowels and therefore try to avoid doing so. A relaxed environment is important and the toilet should be made child friendly. Everyone has a different pattern with bowel motions. Some are morning people, others evenings, but very few children have a bowel motion when they are in school. If your child has no pattern, it may be worthwhile encouraging them to go in the evening, after the evening meal. They are normally more relaxed and after their food and there is usually a reflex feeling of needing to go to the toilet. If bowel opening is infrequent then your GP may consider prescribing Movicol or Senna to help with bowel emptying.

Star charts are excellent tools and can be used to encourage a better diet, better fluid intake or to encourage regular use of the toilet.

Food for your bowels