“Most people understand constipation as a condition when one isn’t passing stools as often as usual. However, parents must remember that constipation isn’t just about the frequency of stools, but also how easy or difficult it is for your child to pass them,”
explains Dr Parijat Ram Tripathi, Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Ankura Hospital for Women and Children. He further says that in the present day, with a changing diet and lifestyle, roughly 30% Indian kids suffer from constipation.
Bowel habits vary widely between children; thus, parents may sometimes not realize when their child’s constipation is worsening and when they need a specialist. Dr. Parijat discusses with us five red flags of constipation that should alert any parent. Identifying early signs can help a parent take timely steps for constipation in their child, saving them from discomfort, complications, and prolonged suffering.
- Standing and passing stools: “Many younger children, especially those who aren’t fully toilet trained, may pass stools in a standing position. In most cases, parents assume this is just another habit,” Dr. Parijat explains. He reinforces that if a child repeatedly passes stool in a standing position, it should alert parents to possible underlying constipation, and they must consult an expert.
- Child avoids stools altogether: In some cases, a child may avoid passing stools altogether because of painful motions. Subtle signs can include an older child running away when taken to the potty, or a visible display of discomfort when trying to pass stools.
- Leakage of stools: Dr. Parijat urges parents to carefully check their child’s diaper or underpants for leakage of stools. Small amounts of stool leaked in the diaper or underpants are indicative of accumulated stool that the child isn’t able to pass.
- Hard stools: The child passing stool doesn’t rule out constipation completely. If the stools are hard or passed in small quantities multiple times, the child may still be constipated. Parents often mistake the passage of any stool as a sign that there is no constipation, which shouldn’t be the case.
- Blood in stools: “Prolonged hard stools may result in anal fissures which may cause blood in the stools, a red flag that parents should never ignore,” Dr Parijat warns.
Apart from the above signs, a bloated or firm tummy in smaller babies, loss of appetite, pellet-like stools, or the baby crying while passing stools are some other signs that are suggestive of constipation.
Diet and Constipation
Diet plays a crucial role in causing constipation. After six months of age, complementary feeding starts for babies. However, if the baby continues to be more dependent on milk and less on solids, then constipation can result.
“Higher intake of carbohydrates and fats in the form of junk food, combined with low fibre in the diet, is a major reason why constipation has increased in the past few years,” Dr. Parijat says. He advises that fruits, vegetables, millets, and other fibre-rich foods should be a regular part of a child’s diet for a healthy gut, and parents should introduce them in an age-appropriate manner from the start. Hydration, he says, is equally important and children should be encouraged to drink plenty of water. Apart from diet, he encourages parents to start toilet training on time for developing regular bowel habits.
He further adds that in some cases, the cause for constipation may be an underlying medical issue, which is why a thorough and timely checkup by a pediatric gastroenterologist is advised.
“Constipation is common, yet challenging for the child. If left unaddressed, it can linger for months or years and cause significant discomfort. With early attention, simple dietary changes, and timely expert care, parents can help their child overcome it with ease,” Dr Parijat concludes.