SUNDAY, Sept. 21, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 When a child struggles with constipation, it can be a source of frustration and discomfort for the whole family. But a leading pediatric expert offers a clear guide to understanding and treating this common issue.<\/p>\n
According to Dr. Jaya Punati<\/a>, a neurogastroenterologist and co-director of the Colorectal and Pelvic Anomalies Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the key to spotting constipation isn’t how often a child goes to the bathroom, but the consistency, in other words hardness or softness, of their stool.<\/p>\n “Constipation is not frequency of stooling,” she said in a news release.”Constipation is consistency of stooling.”<\/p>\n Healthy stool should be soft and easy to pass, like a coil or soft pile, she explains, like the poop emoji. Hard stool is a sign of constipation.<\/p>\n Normal frequency of bowel movements varies from child to child and ranges from three times a week to three times a day.<\/p>\n Prevention starts with a healthy diet.<\/p>\n Dr. Punati emphasizes the importance of eating five to six servings of fruits and vegetables daily, each paired with a cup of water. “Dry food \u2014 dry poop,” she notes, highlighting the connection between a lack of moisture in the diet and hard, difficult-to-pass stool. These foods deliver moisture to the colon, helping to form healthy, soft waste.<\/p>\n When diet isn’t enough, medication may be necessary for stubborn or chronic constipation. Dr. Punati separates treatments into two main types: “mushers” and “pushers.”<\/p>\n Mushers, or osmotic laxatives, work by bringing water into the colon to soften stool, making it easier to pass.<\/p>\n A common musher is MiraLAX<\/a>, whose active ingredient, polyethylene glycol, holds onto water molecules. Other options include magnesium, mineral oil, and sugar syrups such as lactulose and Karo corn syrup.<\/p>\n Pushers, on the other hand, are stimulant laxatives that cause muscle contractions to force stool out. These options may include senna<\/a>, bisacodyl<\/a>, and glycerin suppositories. \u00a0<\/p>\n Dr. Punati generally recommends the mushers first for a gentler approach.<\/p>\n While fiber supplements are often suggested, Dr. Punati advises caution. She prefers whole foods to supplements, stating, “It’s better to eat an apple than to take a fiber pill. They’re not equivalent.”<\/p>\n This is because supplements like psyllium or flax seeds can actually cause more constipation if not taken with enough water. Whole foods also support a healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for overall digestive health.<\/p>\n When at-home methods fail, it’s time to seek medical help. “The standard answer,” Dr. Punati says, “is if you are unable to find a solution at home, you should bring it to a doctor’s attention.”<\/p>\n Below, Dr. Punati’s recommendations:<\/p>\n If a child’s stool doesn’t improve after a week of dietary changes and medication, a pediatrician should be consulted.<\/p>\n While soiling (involuntary leakage of liquid stool) is a symptom of severe constipation, it is not an emergency, but it should prompt a call to the doctor.<\/p>\n However, if a child is experiencing severe pain and can’t pass any stool, it’s a sign to head to the emergency room.<\/p>\n More information<\/p>\n