Constipation in Children: Why It Happens and How to Help Them Poop Without Miralax

Let’s talk about poop. Specifically, why so many kids struggle with constipation — and what parents can actually do to help.

If your child hasn’t pooped in days, cries on the toilet, hides behind the couch to clench their cheeks, or produces a stool so large it deserves its own name… welcome. You’re in very good company.

Constipation in children is incredibly common and can cause low appetite in children, bladder problems, tummy pain and make potty training for toddlers much harder. Luckily, it is fixable. 

What Is Constipation in Children, Really?

Constipation isn’t just “not pooping every day.” A child may be constipated if they have:

• Fewer than 3 bowel movements per week

• Hard, dry, or painful stools

• Straining, crying, or fear around pooping

• Stool withholding (tiptoeing, stiffening, hiding)

• Accidents or skid marks after potty training

• Belly pain or decreased appetite

Some kids poop daily and are still constipated — because painful poop counts.

Why Do Kids Get Constipated?

Constipation in toddlers and children usually isn’t caused by laziness, stubbornness, or “bad behavior.” (Despite what it may feel like at 7:42 a.m. on a school day.)

Common causes include:

🚽 1. Stool Withholding

One painful poop can convince a child that pooping is dangerous. So they hold it. Holding makes the stool bigger. Bigger stool hurts more. The cycle continues..

🥕 2. Not Enough Fiber

Many kids live on beige foods (crackers, cheese, chicken nuggets). Fiber-rich foods help poop stay soft and move along — without them, things slow way down.

💧 3. Not Enough Fluids

Fiber needs fluid to work. Without enough hydration, poop turns into tiny rocks.

📅 4. Routine Changes

Potty training, starting school, travel, busy mornings, or refusing to use public bathrooms can all trigger constipation.

🧠 5. Medical or Developmental Factors

Low muscle tone, food intolerances, medications, or medical conditions can contribute — which is why chronic constipation deserves support, not blame.

What Doesn’t Help Constipation (But Is Very Tempting)

• Forcing your child to sit on the toilet

• Yelling “JUST TRY”

• Cutting out dairy or gluten “just in case”

• Waiting and hoping it magically fixes itself

Constipation is a body problem, not a behavior problem.

What Actually Helps Constipation in Children

✅ 1. Create a Calm Poop Routine

Have your child sit on the toilet 5–10 minutes after meals, especially after breakfast or dinner where odds of passing a bowel movement is higher. Stressful environments inhibit the body's ability to poop. 

Tips:

• Feet supported with a stool

• Relaxed posture

• No pressure to poop — sitting is success. Pressure = stress. Stress = withholding of poop. Reading books on the potty can help to sit still.

✅ 2. Increase Fiber (Slowly — Please)

Fiber helps stools stay soft and easy to pass. Add it gradually to avoid gas, belly pain and more constipation.

Kid-friendly fiber foods:

• Pears, peaches, berries, kiwi

• Beans, lentils, hummus

• Oatmeal, whole-grain bread, brown rice

• Chia or ground flax (hello smoothies!)

Pro tip: More fiber is not always better. The right amount matters.

✅ 3. Pair Fiber With Enough Fluids

Water matters — but so do:

• Milk (within age-appropriate amounts)

• Soups

• Fruits with high water content

• Popsicles

Fiber without fluid = cement. We want pudding.

✅ 5. Use Supplements When Needed (under medical guidance)

For many children with chronic constipation, diet and environment alone isn’t enough at first. Magnesium citrate can be a more natural alternative to miralax. Be sure to follow the recommended dosing per age range. 

When to Get Help for Child Constipation

Reach out to your pediatrician or pediatric dietitian if your child has:

• Constipation lasting more than 2–3 weeks

• Ongoing pain or fear with pooping

• Stool accidents after potty training

• Poor growth, vomiting, or blood in stool

Early support prevents constipation from becoming a long-term battle.

Constipation in children is common, frustrating, and very treatable. With the right combination of routine, fiber, fluids, and support — most kids improve dramatically. If you’re struggling with how to change their diet and fluid intake, reach out to a registered dietitian to guide you on creative ways and best practices.