Constipation—every toddler’s least favorite party trick—is surprisingly common and often leaves parents just as stressed as their little ones. If your toddler is having infrequent bowel movements or stools that feel like tiny bricks (ouch!), you’re not alone. Up to 30% of young children face this struggle, and for 95% of them, it’s "functional constipation," which is a fancy way of saying there's no underlying medical condition causing it.

Thankfully, toddler constipation usually isn’t stubborn for long. Most cases clear up with some easy diet tweaks and simple lifestyle shifts. We've got your back (and your toddler’s tummy)! Learn how to spot constipation early, gentle home remedies that'll help get things moving, when to reach for over-the-counter solutions, signs it's time to loop in your pediatrician, and tips to keep digestion running smoothly from here on out.

Read on for toddler constipation symptoms, remedies, and prevention.

Common Causes of Constipation in Toddlers

Several factors can contribute to constipation in toddlers, most of which are related to diet, habits, or routine. Common causes include:

Dietary factors 

A diet low in fiber or fluids can lead to hard, infrequent stools. Toddlers who eat a lot of processed foods, white bread, cheese, or dairy and not enough fruits, vegetables, or whole grains are at risk of constipation. Not drinking enough water or fluids can also make stools dry and hard. In rare cases, food intolerances or medical conditions like celiac disease can cause constipation, but these are uncommon.

Toilet training and withholding 

During the toilet training phase, some children start withholding stool. They may resist using the potty if they’re not ready or have had a painful stool before. A toddler might deliberately hold in stool because they fear it will hurt, or simply as a way to assert control during toilet training. This holding in can make the stool even harder and larger, worsening constipation. 

Emotional stress or routine changes

Changes in a child’s routine or environment can trigger constipation. Stressful or new situations, such as starting daycare or preschool, moving to a new house, travel, or having a new sibling can lead a toddler to become constipated. Some children may feel anxious or reluctant to use unfamiliar bathrooms (for example, a public restroom at school), which can lead to holding in stool.

Lack of physical activity 

Movement and exercise help keep the bowels moving. Although toddlers are usually active, a child who isn’t getting much physical play time could be more prone to constipation. Physical activity stimulates normal intestinal contractions that help move stool along.

Illness or medications

A toddler who has been sick (with a stomach bug or other illness) and eaten less than usual might become constipated afterward. Certain medications (such as some cold medicines or antacids) can also cause constipation as a side effect. Once a child becomes constipated, it can become a cycle – they might avoid stooling because it hurt last time, which only makes the problem worse.

Understanding the cause of your toddler’s constipation can help you address it. In most cases, simple fixes like diet and habit changes will resolve the issue. Organic or medical causes of constipation (like a true disease or abnormality) are rare in toddlers, but if constipation is persistent despite healthy habits, a pediatrician can evaluate for those uncommon causes.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Every child’s bowel habits are a bit different, so “normal” can vary. In general, toddlers tend to have a bowel movement once or twice a day, or at least several times a week. When a toddler is constipated, you may notice one or more of these signs and symptoms:

Infrequent bowel movements

The child is going several days without a poop or is not pooping as often as they usually do.

Hard, dry stools

The stool itself is hard, dry, or pellet-like, and may be large or difficult to pass. You might notice your child’s stool looks like small hard balls or an overly large, firm mass.

Painful bowel movements

The child may strain, cry, or show discomfort when trying to stool. They might complain that it ‘hurts to go’ or appear to be in pain during a bowel movement.

Abdominal pain or bloating

Constipated kids often have tummy aches or cramps. Your toddler might clutch their belly or seem fussy due to abdominal discomfort. Their belly could feel firm or swollen due to backed-up stool.

Stool withholding behavior

You may notice your toddler trying not to stool even when they need to. Signs of this include clenching their buttocks, crossing legs, rocking up on toes, or doing a “dance” to hold it in. They might hide when they feel the urge or flat-out refuse to sit on the potty. This reluctance to use the bathroom is a common sign associated with constipation and fear of painful pooping 

Trace blood on stool or toilet paper

If a very hard stool causes a tiny tear in the anal area (an anal fissure), you might see a small streak of bright red blood on the outside of the stool or when wiping. These small tears can happen with constipation due to straining.

Stool in their underwear (soiling)

In cases of ongoing constipation, you might notice smears or bits of stool in your child’s underwear between bowel movements. This is called encopresis and happens when a large mass of stool is stuck and liquid stool leaks around it. It can be mistaken for diarrhea, but it’s a sign of chronic constipation.

Reduced appetite or nausea

A constipated toddler might eat less or say their tummy feels full, and they may even feel like throwing up if the constipation is severe. Once they relieve themselves, appetite often improves.

Urinary accidents

In some cases, a full rectum can press on the bladder. You might notice potty-trained children having more frequent pee accidents or difficulty urinating when they’re badly constipated. Alleviating constipation usually resolves this.

Individually, any of these signs can point to constipation, but a combination of several signs strongly suggests your toddler is constipated. Parents should watch for these symptoms, especially if the child hasn’t had a normal bowel movement in a few days. 


Recommended Home Remedies and Dietary Changes

For most toddlers, constipation can be managed at home with some diet and lifestyle changes. Here are some effective home remedies and strategies to help get your toddler’s bowels moving comfortably:

Increase Fiber Intake 

A fiber-rich diet helps soften stool and promotes regularity. Offer plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day. Good choices include prunes, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, and other fruits (many parents find prune puree or prune juice very helpful), as well as veggies like broccoli, peas, beans, and high-fiber cereals or whole-grain breads. For example, foods such as oatmeal, bran cereals, whole wheat bread, berries, and cooked vegetables can all add fiber. Gradually increasing fiber is best to avoid gas – maybe sneak fruits into smoothies or offer whole-grain crackers as snacks. 

Ensure Adequate Hydration

Make sure your toddler is drinking enough fluids. Water is best for keeping stool soft. Offer water regularly throughout the day. Most young children should aim for a few cups of water daily (around 3–5 cups for children, depending on their size). You can also offer diluted fruit juices like prune or pear juice in small amounts, as these can help loosen stools (due to natural sorbitol in certain juices). Adequate fluid intake works with fiber to normalize bowel movements 

Encourage Physical Activity

Toddlers are naturally active, and that movement helps stimulate their gut. If your child has been more sedentary (perhaps due to too much screen time or recovering from illness), encourage active play. Regular exercise or just running around and playing can relieve constipation by helping the intestines move food along. Even a daily walk or dancing together can get their system going.

Establish a Regular Potty Routine

Encourage your child to sit on the toilet or potty at routine times, especially after meals. Eating triggers the colon to contract (the gastro-colic reflex), so toddlers often have the urge to go shortly after a meal. Take advantage of this by having them sit on the potty for about 5–10 minutes after breakfast or dinner. Make it a relaxed, pressure-free time. Use a footstool or a child-sized potty so they can put their feet flat (having knees bent helps them push more effectively)Read a story or sing a song to make them comfortable while sitting for a few minutes.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Encourage and praise your toddler for any effort to go, even if they don’t succeed every time. Avoid punishing or scolding them for accidents or for not pooping. Instead, try a reward system like a sticker chart or a small treat when they sit on the potty as asked, or when they do have a bowel movement. Keeping the experience positive will reduce anxiety around pooping. If a previous painful stool made them fearful, reassure them that with the changes you’re making (diet, etc.), it will hurt less next time.

Warm Bath and Tummy Massage

A warm bath can relax your child’s abdominal muscles and sometimes help them stool afterward. Gently rubbing your toddler’s belly in a clockwise motion (following the path of the intestines) may also comfort them and encourage a bowel movement. These methods are safe to try and can be part of the bedtime routine if evening constipation is an issue.

Limit Constipating Foods 

Cut back on foods that might worsen constipation if eaten in large quantities. For some children, too much dairy (like a large amount of milk, cheese, or yogurt) can contribute to constipation. Also, a lot of high-fat, low-fiber snacks (chips, fast food, sweets) can slow bowel movements.. You don’t need to eliminate these entirely, but balance them with plenty of fiber-rich options. If your toddler drinks a lot of whole milk, discuss with your pediatrician whether to moderate the amount – sometimes after age 2, more than about 16–20 ounces of milk a day might fill them up and reduce their appetite for fiber foods.

Consistency and Patience

It may take several days to a couple of weeks for these changes to really improve your child’s constipation. Encourage your toddler to listen to their body’s urges and not hold in their poop. Stay consistent with the new habits – regular meal times, regular potty times, and a balanced diet – as this will help “train” their system into a routine. The same diet and lifestyle changes that treat constipation can also help prevent it from coming back.

Many parents find that these home strategies solve the problem. Over time, your toddler can develop healthy bowel habits with your guidance. However, if you’ve tried these steps and your child is still struggling, it might be time to consider other options or talk to a healthcare provider.


When to Seek Medical Advice

Most childhood constipation can be managed at home, but there are times when you should contact your pediatrician or seek medical advice. Call your child’s healthcare provider if:

  • The constipation has lasted more than about two weeks despite home treatment, or if it keeps coming back frequently.
  • Your child is in severe pain or is unable to have a bowel movement at all despite trying (straining without result). For example, if your toddler is very irritable, crying with belly pain, or saying their tummy hurts constantly, it’s time to get medical help.
  • You see blood in your child’s stool or coming from the rectum. A small streak on the stool or paper from a fissure can be managed at home, but more than a trace amount of blood, or bleeding that keeps happening, should be evaluated. 
  • Your child has persistent bloating or vomiting along with constipation. These could be signs of an intestinal blockage or a more severe issue that needs prompt medical attention.
  • The constipation is so bad that stool is leaking in the underwear (encopresis) or the child can’t participate in normal activities because of discomfort. If your potty-trained child is having accidents due to constipation, a doctor’s help is warranted.
  • Your toddler has fever or appears ill along with constipation, which could indicate an underlying infection or other problem 
  • You simply feel worried or have questions. If you’re unsure whether your child’s symptoms are normal or if you’re uncomfortable with any step of home treatment, don’t hesitate to call the pediatrician. They can give guidance over the phone and decide if an office visit is needed.

Doctors have specific guidelines (for instance, the NIDDK – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases – suggests seeing a doctor if a child’s constipation lasts more than 2 weeks or has any of the above red flags). The pediatrician might do an exam, ask about your child’s diet and routine, and in some cases recommend further treatments or tests. Occasionally, laxatives or even a clean-out regimen might be prescribed for severe constipation, and very rarely, tests to rule out medical conditions are done if they suspect something beyond functional constipation.

Seeking medical advice is important especially to make sure there isn’t an underlying condition (though rare) and to help relieve your child’s discomfort safely. Remember, pediatricians deal with constipation often – it’s one of the most common issues in young kids – so they are there to help you and your toddler get through it.


We Have You Covered – Fiber Rich Muffin Recipe

Here at Harbor we wanted to share our go to fiber rich muffin recipe the whole family will enjoy. With healthy habits and a bit of time, your toddler can develop regular bowel movements and both you and your child can be relieved – literally! 

Go-Go Pumpkin Muffins

These muffins are not only fun to eat but also packed with fiber and healthy fats that support smooth digestion—perfect for toddlers experiencing constipation.

Download the Recipe

Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree

  • ¼ cup melted coconut oil

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • ¼ cup maple syrup

  • 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tbsp water, let sit 15 mins)

  • ½ cup milk or milk substitute 

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 1 pouch prune puree (3.5-4 oz)

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1¾ cups oat flour

  • 1½ tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 2 tsp pumpkin spice

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • 1¼ cups rolled oats

  • Optional: chocolate chips, raisins, finely chopped walnuts

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).

  2. Combine wet ingredients in a large bowl.

  3. Mix dry ingredients (except oats and optional items) in another bowl.

  4. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry, stirring until combined.

  5. Fold in rolled oats and any optional ingredients.

  6. Evenly divide batter into lined muffin pan (makes 12).

  7. Bake for 24-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Enjoy these delightful muffins to help your toddler's digestive health stay on track!