What to Do When Your Child Has Not Pooped for 2 or 3 Days?
What Is Constipation in Children?
If your child has not pooped for 2 or 3 days, it is usually a basic case of constipation. This is a question most parents come across in their parenting journey, especially with their firstborn. As worrying as it sounds, constipation is quite common in babies and young children and can often be managed easily at home.
In this blog, I’ll be sharing:
What is constipation in children
How constipation in children happens
The root causes of constipation in children
Kid-friendly home remedies to relieve constipation
When you should see a doctor
My personal tips and experience
Conclusion
What Is Constipation in Children?
Constipation in children refers to infrequent bowel movements, hard or dry stools, or difficulty and discomfort while passing stools. For some kids, not pooping for 2–3 days can be normal, but if it is accompanied by pain, crying, or hard stools, it is considered constipation.
How Does Constipation in Children happen?
A child’s digestive system is still developing and is not as strong or efficient as an adult’s. Their intestines take time to learn how to move food smoothly through the gut. This is why constipation is most common between 6 months to 5 years, especially:
When solids are introduced – For the first six months, babies are on breast milk. When solids are introduced, this change can sometimes cause constipation.
During toilet training – I’ve been through this myself. I’ll be uploading a separate potty training blog and will link it here.
When routines or diets change – This is common; even adults experience constipation due to routine changes.
Change in drinking water can also cause constipation.
Young children also tend to ignore the urge to poop when they are busy playing, which can further worsen constipation.
Root Causes of Constipation in Children
Some common reasons why children get constipated include:
Low water intake
Lack of fibre in daily meals
Excessive intake of refined foods
Sudden changes in diet
Holding poop due to fear or discomfort
Less physical activity
When fibre and water are not enough, stools become hard and difficult to pass.
How to Resolve Constipation in children With Home Remedies
Before panicking, it’s always good to try natural, child-friendly home remedies. These are gentle and often very effective. As an experienced mother, I would recommend starting home remedies after one day of not pooping or when stools are hard.
Ajwain (Ajma) Water
Ajwain water is known to ease digestion and reduce bloating. It helps stimulate digestive enzymes and relieve constipation.
How to prepare:
Boil 1 teaspoon of ajwain in water
Let it cool and strain
Give in small quantities based on the child’s age
Prunes or Raisin Water
Prunes are rich in natural compounds that soften stools and help bowel movement. If your child is old enough to eat a full prune, it works best. If not:
You can give 2–4 teaspoons of diluted prune juice to toddlers
Alternatively, soak 5–6 raisins overnight and, without straining the water, give it along with the soaked raisins first thing in the morning
This remedy works gently and is kid-friendly.
Apple or Pear Juice
Apple and pear juice contain natural sugars that help draw water into the intestines and soften stools.
Offer a small quantity
Always dilute with water
Avoid packaged juices with added sugar
High-Fibre Foods
Including fibre daily helps prevent constipation in the long run.
Some good fibre-rich foods for kids:
Fruits: apple (with peel), pear, papaya, prunes, oranges, etc.
Vegetables: carrot, spinach, broccoli
Grains: oats, whole wheat, brown rice
Always pair fibre with enough water.
Healthy Fats (Ghee or Olive Oil)
Healthy fats help stools move smoothly through the intestines.
Add 1 teaspoon of ghee to warm milk or food
You can also include olive oil or avocado in meals. I usually make salads and add olive oil to the dressing that I prepare (click here for my salad recipes).
This works especially well for toddlers
Light Stomach Massage
Gentle tummy massages help activate bowel movements.
How to do it:
Use your fingers to massage in a clockwise circular motion
Be gentle and slow
Best done after a warm bath
Leg Exercises
Simple leg movements can help move gas and stool.
How to do it:
Lay your child on their back
Gently move their legs like cycling
You can also fold their knees towards the tummy
These exercises are especially helpful for babies and toddlers.
When to See a Doctor
If your child:
Has not pooped even after 2–3 days of home remedies
Is in pain or crying excessively
Has very hard stools or blood in stools
Then it’s best to consult a pediatrician. The doctor may prescribe a stool softener, which is safe when taken under medical supervision.
My Personal Tips Along With My Experience
Constipation is common in babies. I knew it and was aware that it could happen. First of all, we always make sure that my son drinks at least 700 ml to 1 litre of water daily, which is ideal for kids between 1 to 5 years.
Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, fibre intake is very important, so we ensure that fibre is included in his daily diet. But you know, all days cannot be perfect, and sometimes he also faces issues with pooping.
The first thing we do is try home remedies. The first one on my list is the easiest—giving ajwain water to my child. I’ve already mentioned how ajwain water eases digestion.
We introduced ajwain water very early, at around 9 months. This happened when my sister was dieting and her dietician had advised her to consume ajwain water at night before sleeping. That’s when my son saw her having it and wanted to try it as well. She gave him just a few sips since it was his first time. Gradually, I started increasing the quantity.
Now, my son can drink around 200 ml of ajwain water at one time. Along with this, we also do light stomach massages to ease constipation. Sometimes, leg exercises also help. With these home remedies, his constipation usually resolves.
However, if by any chance your child is still not pooping after 2 or 3 days, I strongly suggest seeing a pediatrician. They may prescribe a stool softener if required.
Conclusion
Constipation in children is common and manageable. With the right balance of water, fibre, movement, and simple home remedies, most cases resolve naturally. As parents, observing your child’s habits and responding early makes a big difference. And when in doubt, never hesitate to seek medical advice.
