Why do children face occasional constipation ?

Constipation is one of the most common childhood disorders, affecting up to 30% of children worldwide. Children with constipation experience stools that are hard, dry, and difficult or painful to pass.

When it comes to occasional constipation in children, spotting the symptoms early on is extremely important. An easy tip to help you keep track of your child’s digestive health is to keep a diary of how often your child has a bowel movement and what type of stool it is. 

In general, most children have a bowel movement 1 to 2 times per day, but keep in mind that bowel patterns vary from child to child – which is totally normal.

Children

Children can experience constipation due to a number of reasons, some of the most common ones being:

  • Purposely not going to the bathroom and withholding stools – we all know how fun those playdates can get ! 
  • Not going to bathroom because it hurts when they try to go
  • Not getting enough water or fiber in their diet
  • Illness or medication
  • A big change in the child’s routine like starting at a new school, moving to a new home, etc.

Spotting the symptoms of constipation

Spotting the symptoms of constipation in your child is important. Just like any other condition, if it goes unnoticed for too long, it can lead to more serious complications.

Children might have constipation if they have:

Fewer than three bowel movements in a week

Trouble or pain when passing a bowel movement

Stool that is hard, dry, and unusually large

If your child has a hard stool consistency, often suffers from discomfort when try to go to the bathroom or feels bloated and has belly pain, we recommend you consult your healthcare professional.

What could be causing occasional constipation ?

Spotting the symptoms of occasional constipation is very important – but so is understanding what is causing your child to be constipated. Properly identifying the causes can help you tackle the issue and prevent future bouts of constipation from occurring.

Diets low in fiber or fluids

Constipation in children can be due to a diet that does not include enough fiber or fluids, which help the bowels move as they should. Eating lots of processed, fatty, sugary, or starchy foods can also slow the bowels down.

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Stressful periods

Stress can also trigger constipation in children. They can get constipated when they're feeling overwhelmed or nervous about something, like starting at a new school, the birth of a sibling, moving to a new home, traveling, etc.

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Other causes

Occasional constipation in children can also be the result of withholding the need to go, which can happen when children want to avoid unpleasant relief or the passing of stool is postponed because they are too busy. 

In some rare cases, constipation in children may be linked to a physical disorder or to a use of a specific medication. Talk to your doctor if your child continues to have these issues or if the constipation prolongs. 

How to prevent occasional constipation in children ?

There are a few steps you can take to help your child get relief and develop habits to prevent constipation in the future.

Children tend to imitate adults – so setting the right example and habits can have a long-term effect on their digestive health (and yours !).

1. Prioritize a healthier, fiber-rich diet

A high-fiber diet for children is essential to maintaining a healthy digestion and can help prevent constipation. Fiber can't be digested, so it helps clean out the intestines by moving the bowels along. When adding more fiber to your child's diet (including fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain products and yogurts), do so slowly over a few weeks and make sure your child also drinks more liquids.

2. Developing healthy habits

Developing a regular meal schedule or getting in daily exercise can be a step in the right direction when it comes to preventing constipation. Eating is a natural stimulant for the bowels, so regular meals may help kids develop routine bowel habits. In addition, the importance of getting enough exercise is crucial. Physical activity nudges the bowels into action, so encourage your children to move their bodies daily.

3. Get your children into the habit of going

If your child fights the urge to go to the bathroom, have them sit on the toilet for at least 10 minutes, ideally after a meal, about the same time each day. By doing this, you’re helping them set a habit by encouraging them to use bathroom whenever they need relief.

4. Give your child more liquids

This one will be simple to remember: Water. Water. Water. 

Most school-age kids need at least 3 to 4 glasses of water each day. Drinking enough water and other liquids helps stool move more easily through the intestines.

DulcoLax® family of products

DulcoLax® products help your digestive system get moving with gentle overnight, or fast relief solutions. Find the DulcoLax® product that’s right for you.

  •

    DulcoLax® Liquid
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 2+
    • Convenient format
    • 354 mL
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Vegan

    DulcoLax® Liquid provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax® Liquid.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

    Learn More

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 4-11
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 15ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably. 

    *suitable for kids 4 to under 11 

    ** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 12+
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 30ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax®Soft Chews.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Suppositories
    • Occasional constipation
    • Fast relief in 15 to 60 minutes
    • Suppositories
    • 12+ years old
    • Effective relief
    • 3ct
    • 6ct
    • 100ct

    DulcoLax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. DulcoLax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly. 

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® For Women
    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 12+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 20ct
    • 50ct

    DulcoLax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Tablets
    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 6+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 10ct
    • 30ct
    • 60ct
    • 100ct

    DulcoLax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Learn more

  • DulcoLax® Liquid
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 2+
    • Convenient format
    • 354 mL
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Vegan

    DulcoLax® Liquid provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax® Liquid.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

    Learn More

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 4-11
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 15ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably. 

    *suitable for kids 4 to under 11 

    ** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 12+
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 30ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax®Soft Chews.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Suppositories
    • Occasional constipation
    • Fast relief in 15 to 60 minutes
    • Suppositories
    • 12+ years old
    • Effective relief
    • 3ct
    • 6ct
    • 100ct

    DulcoLax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. DulcoLax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly. 

    Learn more

  • DulcoLax® For Women
    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 12+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 20ct
    • 50ct

    DulcoLax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Tablets
    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 6+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 10ct
    • 30ct
    • 60ct
    • 100ct

    DulcoLax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Learn more
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Stay informed

Occasional constipation is a common condition with a wide range of possible causes. We know how unpredictable and frustrating constipation can be, so we are here to help identify the possible causes and teach you how to address them.

What is occasional constipation ?

Occasional constipation is a common condition that greatly affects the quality of life of many Canadians. It is a short-term condition that may temporarily interrupt an individual’s usual bowel routine that results in infrequent, irregular and/or difficult bowel movements.

Learn more

How to manage occasional constipation in adults ?

Occasional constipation can happen to anyone. We know how unpredictable it can be, so we have identified some of the main causes of constipation and explain how they can be prevented.

Learn more
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