A little note from Alice...
If you've ever Googled "why won't my child poop" or "I'm worried because my child won't go", you're in good company. Constipation in children is incredibly common, genuinely distressing for parents, and somehow still one of those topics people feel awkward raising with anyone beyond their GP.
That's exactly why we love connecting with health professionals who are out there actually talking about it.
Teresa is a dietitian based in Hawke's Bay who recently hosted an event for Early Childhood Educators and parents on supporting children with continence issues, including bedwetting, accidents, and the very real (and very frustrating) cycle that constipation can create.
When she reached out asking if we'd donate samples for the event, we said yes without hesitation. We hear from practitioners like Teresa fairly regularly. They've often tried No.2 themselves, or recommended it to clients, and they appreciate that it's genuinely easier to take than the legacy fibre supplements many people grew up with. Natural flavours, no artificial aftertaste, and something that doesn't feel like a punishment. That matters when you're trying to get a child to actually take it.
We don't give advice. We connect you with professionals like Teresa. There's something important in creating spaces where people feel less alone in this stuff. Parenting is hard. Parenting a child who is uncomfortable, distressed, or anxious around going to the toilet is harder. And the earlier you can support things with simple, consistent changes, the better the outcome tends to be.
Teresa's article covers the practical side: fibre, fluid, toileting routines, and when to involve a health professional. It's clear, evidence-based, and genuinely useful.
We hope it helps.
Alice
Understanding Constipation in Children: A Dietitian’s Perspective
Constipation is the most common gut concern I see in my paediatric clients – and it is often distressing for both the child and parents. Constipation is when a child has hard, dry, or painful bowel motions, or is going less frequently than expected (typically fewer than three times per week in children over 1 year of age). You might notice your child straining, avoiding the toilet, complaining of tummy pain, or even having poo “accidents” in their underwear due to overflow. Children with constipation are also more likely to have urinary tract infections, wet themselves and wet the bed. A key feature of constipation in children is the cycle that develops: a child passes a painful stool, begins to withhold to avoid that pain, and this leads to even larger, harder stools over time . Understanding and interrupting this cycle is central to managing constipation.
Fibre
From a nutrition perspective, constipation is often linked to a combination of low fibre intake and/or inadequate fluid. Fibre is essential for the formation of stools and to aid the movement of the stool down the intestinal tract. Fibre comes from fruit, vegetables and wholegrain breads and cereals. If making changes to increase your child’s fibre intake, introduce fibre slowly into their diet as sudden increases can worsen constipation. This is where a consultation with a Dietitian can be helpful to give you individualised advice.
Fruit is a natural source of soluble fibre and is an important part of a child’s diet. Ideally a child should have at least two servings of fruit per day, a serving being the size of their fist. Encourage fruit as snacks, pureed fruit added to yoghurt, fruit in smoothies and added into cooking or baking. Natural laxatives such as prunes and kiwifruit can be added to cereal, smoothies, yoghurt and baking.
Vegetables are a good source of fibre but a food group often refused by young children. Ideally children would be eating three fist sized servings of vegetables per day, however if your child does not currently eat any vegetables they can meet their fibre needs from additional portions of fruit. Hidden vegetables in the form of grated carrot, courgette, broccoli etc can be added to sauce dishes such as pasta sauce and used in baked foods such as savoury muffins to help increase intakes. Using puree vegetables is a great way to bulk up meat dishes such as mince and casserole.
Wholegrain breads and cereals are an important fibre source for children. Examples of wholegrain cereals are oats and wheat biscuits, these can be introduced from an early age. Where possible choose a wholegrain bread with visible seeds.
I am often asked about fibre supplements by parents of children who are fussy eaters- particularly psyllium. Psyllium is a soluble fibre that forms a gel in the gut, helping to soften stool and make it easier to pass. In older children with constipation who are unable to increase their intake of fibre from whole foods, psyllium fibre can be a helpful addition to the diet. A common situation where I see this occurring in clinic is with neurodiverse children who have restricted diets and limited intakes of naturally higher fibre foods such as vegetables and fruit but find a supplement more palatable. Dosing varies depending on age and product, but a typical starting point may be around ½ a teaspoon once daily, increasing up to 1 teaspoon daily. It’s essential that psyllium is introduced gradually and always paired with adequate fluid to prevent worsening constipation. In children under the age of 5 or with longstanding constipation, supplementation should be guided by a health professional to ensure it is appropriate for your child.
Fluid
Inadequate fluid intake means that poo cannot easily move through the intestine, causing the stool to become hard and difficult to pass. Children can often be poor drinkers and need regular reminding to drink over the day. A common issue I see in clinic is children drinking large amounts of milk – this can contribute to constipation as milk fills children up and reduced their appetite for other fibre containing foods. Limit milk intake in children >2 years to a maximum of 350ml per day.
Toileting
Equally important is creating a supportive toileting routine. Encouraging children to sit on the toilet after meals (when the body’s natural gastrocolic reflex is strongest) can make a big difference. Positioning matters too—feet supported on a stool, knees above hips, and a relaxed posture all help make passing stool easier. While dietary strategies are important, many children will require laxatives to help manage their constipation initially, particularly if constipation has been present for some time.
Most children with constipation improve with a consistent, gentle approach that combines diet, toileting routine, and medical support. As a parent, it can feel frustrating and slow to resolve—but small, steady changes really do add up. The goal is always the same: soft, easy-to-pass stools and a child who feels comfortable and confident going to the toilet.
If you need to talk to someone please contact a dietitian or GP.
