How do I know if my child is constipated (based upon frequency of bowel movements)?

How do I know if my child is constipated (based upon frequency of bowel movements)?

Potty training is a challenging milestone every parent and child face during child development. As with most developmental milestones, there are some common problems that may surface while mastering each endeavor. A problem parents face that can be related to potty training though may emerge at anytime in the child's life is constipation.

How do I know if my child is constipated (based on frequency of bowel movements)?

Constipation commonly affects preschool-age children but can also occur in older children. The cause of infrequent, hard, large, or uncomfortable bowel movements is not always clear. The following chart shows the normal frequency of bowel movements and should provide a reference for parents considering whether to seek medical assistance for constipation:

       

Breastfed infants may have as many as one bowel movement after each feeding or as few as one every seven days.

The information on the chart is simply to provide a frame of reference so parents can judge whether their child has a constipation problem based upon frequency of bowel movement. Parents should seek medical attention if a child falls outside of the normal range provided.

Back to blog

Leave a comment