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Constipation can be a common problem during potty-training.
The top two reasons for constipation are – withholding and diet. Maybe your toddler is still fearful of the potty and how it feels to go in it. Or, maybe their favorite foods don’t make for the smoothest stools to pass.
Either way, it can be uncomfortable and painful for them, and hard for you to watch helplessly while they try to ‘go’.
According to the mayo clinic, here are some common signs that your toddler is constipated:
- Less than three bowel movements a week
- Bowel movements that are hard, dry and difficult to pass
- Pain while having a bowel movement
- Stomach pain
- Traces of liquid or pasty stool in your child’s underwear — a sign that stool is backed up in the rectum
- Blood on the surface of hard stool
Below are some quick switches you can make, and a few things you can try, that will help ease their constipation problems, allow you to stress less when it happens, and potty train with more ease.
1. Make some food switches
- Switch white breads and white flour snacks to whole grain breads and snacks.
- Swap bananas for apples with the skins on (for the most amount of pectin which is what aids in constipation woes). Peaches, kiwis and pears are also great.
- Switch from plain oatmeal or pancakes, to chia oatmeal and pancakes. Just add some dissolved chia to the oatmeal or pancakes your child already loves. They won’t miss out on their favorite foods AND they will get some great soluble fiber that will absorb water, form a gel that will soften and moisten stool for easier passage.
- Add some olive oil into their milk. *This is my no-fail go-to but you may want to check with your pediatrician first, as this is not a recommended mainstream practice in the US. With that said, research also shows that most babies can be introduced to olive oil as soon as 6 months. I learned this tip from my first assistant who was from Algeria. She swore by olive oil for many things, including constipation, and it has worked within a day every time, even for severe cases, amazingly. Start with a tablespoon and shake it in before giving it to them. If they’re sensitive to the flavor (no one I have given it to has been) then, you can work it into a food they enjoy, such as oatmeal or a marinara-based protein pasta.
Read this next:
When To Start Potty Training Your Toddler (so it’s easier for all!)
How To Have Less Accidents & Get Your Toddler To Pee AND Poop IN The Potty
*Always consult your pediatrician with constipation concerns to see what medical advice they might have for you as well.
2. Offer more liquids throughout the day
Pump up their liquid intake to soften things and get them moving, by placing different water bottles or sippies around the house where they play, for easy access all day.
Check out these supplies suggestions:
Add a cool straw, let them sip out of an adult cup, add some ice, a splash of juice or some fresh fruit to make it more fun and interesting. They’ll likely be more excited to drink even more.
3. belly massage – the ‘I love you’ method
(Watching a youtube video tutorial might be easier for you to understand how to do this, you can watch it here.)
When your child is sitting on the potty or laying down, gently massage downward on their belly (3-4 inches to the left of their belly button and 2-3 inches below their ribcage). Do that a 4-5 times times, then run your thumb gently along the bottom of the ribcage toward their left side.
Repeat 4-5 times. This helps to get things moving. Sometimes your child will experience a bowel movement right away, other times it will take some time.
To make your toddler more comfortable with the massage, you can tickle them, sing to them, have them massage you or let them massage a doll. You can tell them this will help their tummy and make them feel better as well.
4. adjust how they’re sitting
Some toddlers will squat or lean forward to poop. Position matters!
When your child is sitting on the potty, you can recreate this squatting or bent position by ensuring that their feet are flat on the ground. You can have them lean forward while you rub their back OR have them place their feet on your legs while you sit in front of them.
Toddler refuses to sit? This article will help you get them more motivated to sit and stay longer, more happily: How To Get Your Toddler To Sit On The Potty & Stay Longer
Check out these supplies suggestions:
Drop your name and email for a FREE instant download of the Peaceful Potty Training Starter Guide! We never spam.
Potty train with more confidence and less stress! Expert tips, supply list, mindset preparedness and more included!
Raising your feet up on a stool so that your hips are flexed beyond 90 degrees helps to straighten out the rectum. This allows the stool to pass through much more easily.” -Healthline.
5. talk directly about constipation, give extra cuddles and words to reassure
If you you believe your toddler might be afraid of the potty OR how it feels to poop in it, as opposed to a safe, snug diaper, and is withholding, address that fear directly.
Talk them through it, letting them know that – “it can be painful now like how we get shots at the doctor but soon it is all done, and it’s important we let it out of our bodies so we don’t feel sick. And we will start eating foods that help make it not hurt, ok?” Something like this, said regularly, whenever they are struggling (paired with the switches mentioned above) will teach how their body and life works, and help your toddler work through constipation.
Giving extra cuddles and reassurance is very helpful, too. While this sounds like a given, it can be a challenge to be that support, comfort and love your child need when you are tired, overwhelmed or frustrated from potty training.
Handling big feelings, constipation and push back are all very common parts of potty training. This article can help you work past big feelings and keep on going: How To Use A Peace Corner When Potty Training Your Emotional Toddler
Do what you can and make sure to take the time you need for yourself during this process, even if it is only for a handful of minutes here and there throughout the day.
Your child will need more comforting and reassurance than usual, so you will want to make sure you decompress and recharge often too.
Check out these supplies suggestions:
I wrote an article about how to prepare yourself (self care), your toddler and your space for potty training – you can read that article, here: EVERYTHING You Will Need In Place Before Potty Training.
Here’s another that will help you with an overall plan for getting off to a successful start: How To Potty Train Like A Pro – The Peaceful Potty Training Method
And here is one more if you are dealing with a lot of accidents or a request for a pull-up to poop: How To Get Your Toddler To Pee & Poop In The Potty
And, if you want step-by-step support for potty-training, click here to download the FREE Peaceful Potty-Training Cheat Sheet complete with supply list and mindset preparedness.
I hope these tips and tools help relieve your baby’s constipation asap! And keep these in mind if you begin to experience constipation again in the future!
*Note: Always consult your pediatrician with serious concerns about constipation.
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