“Is constipation in children normal?”
My 9 year old son often struggles going to the bathroom. Thankfully he is vocal about it but I'm not sure this is normal. He goes once a week.
6 Answers
This is NOT normal. Please see a pediatric gastroenterologist who will help your child regulate his bowels.
Sorry, but stooling once per week is not normal. The ideal stool pattern is daily. He may not be having belly pain or other issues but that is something you probably want to talk to his pediatrician or family doctor about. Hope that helps!
Well, constipation is not necessarily normal but it is something that is seen in a lot of children in the United States. This is mainly due to a combination of poor diet as well as some behavioral issues, such as stool withholding behaviors. The best treatment for children of all ages is to make sure that they are drinking lots of water, eating plenty of fiber in the diet and sitting on the toilet regularly every day to try to have a bowel movement. Sometimes laxatives and enemas are necessary but should not be done without the direction of your doctor or a specialist.
Very common. He needs a good bowel clean out and then remain on daily miralax so he goes at least every other day
Constipation is not normal in children. However, it is common in children. 25% of a general pediatric gastroenterologist practice is constipation, while 3% of general pediatrician practice is constipation.
It is not normal to struggle with bowel movements but it is common for children to have constipation. Constipation could be functional or secondary to many underlying diseases. I recommend your son gets seen by a pediatric gastroenterologist for further evaluation and treatment.
