Toddler Constipation

Why It Happens & How to Help

Constipation is incredibly common in toddlers — and if you’re dealing with it right now, please know you’re not alone. It often crops up as a combination of things: routine changes, diet, hydration, even emotional shifts. The good news? There are lots of small, practical changes you can make to help get things moving again.

What Are We Aiming For?

Your toddler’s bowel habits don’t need to be perfect — but here’s what we’re aiming for:

At least 4 bowel movements a week (ideally 1–2 per day)
Soft, easy-to-pass stools (Type 4 on the Bristol Stool Chart)
No straining, pain, or withholding

Type 4 = smooth, sausage-shaped, soft, and easy to pass.

Common Causes of Constipation in Toddlers

Some of the most frequent contributors include:

✈️ Travel or changes in routine (especially in warmer weather)
🤒 Viral illness (fever or low appetite can reduce fluid intake)
🥤 Not enough fluids (toddlers often don’t feel or respond to thirst cues)
🍽️ Diet low in fibre or high in processed foods

Diet & Fibre — Small Swaps, Big Impact

Most toddlers need around 15g of fibre a day, but many fall short. Here’s where you can help:

What to Reduce:

Cheerios, white toast, pizza, processed meats (e.g. sausages, salami)
Snack bars, raisins (by themselves), sugary lollies

What to Add or Swap:

Cereal: Switch to Weetabix or porridge oats — top with stewed prunes, ripe banana, chia seeds, or berries
Veg: Grated carrot, peas, corn, courgette, or sweet potato in pasta sauces or on pizza
Fruit: Pears, plums, stewed prunes, kiwi, raspberries, blackberries — all known to support bowel movements
Grains: Offer brown rice or wholegrain pasta a few times a week

Snack Swaps — Fun & Fibre-Rich

Replace This	With This
Ice lollies, sorbet	Frozen yoghurt fruit lollies, fruit kebabs
Custard creams, chocolate	Wholegrain crackers + hummus, nut butter toast
Raisins only	Raisins + pear slices or prunes
Oaty bars	Mini muffins with fruit or veg
Sweet juice pops	Water with splash of juice or diluted pear juice

Hydration Help — Making Water Fun

At age 2, aim for at least 1 litre of fluids per day, mainly water. Here’s how to boost intake:

Offer 6–8 drinks per day
Use brightly coloured cups or straws — let your child choose
Add fun-shaped ice cubes or fruit slices
Create a little “Water Station” they can access independently
Offer water after every snack or meal
Model good habits — drink with them!
Try reward stickers for each drink

💧 Printable Daily Water Tracker available to support this.

Watch Salt Intake

Foods like salami, bacon, and sausages are high in salt — which can dehydrate and worsen constipation.

Better Protein Choices:

Eggs
Chicken
Tofu
Lentils
Fish

Keep Them Moving

Physical activity helps keep digestion moving, too!

Encourage outdoor play: climbing, scooting, jumping
Try yoga or squatting play (blocks, drawing, sand trays)
Post-meal walks help activate the gut

“A busy body means a busy bowel.”

Better Food Choices for Better Bowel Movements

High-fibre staples: Oats, wholegrain toast, sweet potato, broccoli, pulses
‘P’ fruits: Pears, prunes, plums — they contain natural sorbitol
Milk: Keep under 400ml/day and prioritise water with meals/snacks

When Constipation Lingers

Sometimes, your child might need a stool softener like Movicol as advised by a GP. Keep using it until they’ve had regular soft poos for at least twice the length of time they were constipated. Don’t stop suddenly — taper slowly.

Final Thoughts

Supporting your toddler through constipation can feel overwhelming, but you’re already doing the hard work. Little tweaks in food, fluids, and movement really do add up. If you’re unsure how to make it work in your routine — I’d love to help.

📩 Get in touch if you’d like a tailored plan, printable tracker, or just a bit of reassurance!