Constipation in infants and children is not unusual but can be uncomfortable and concerning. The team at Kids and Tummies are knowledgeable and experienced at providing both temporary and long-term support for a child with acute or chronic constipation. For an appointment about your child’s constipation, call either office in Gulfport or Ocean Springs, Mississippi today. You can also book online.
Constipation is a common problem with infants and children, when they have infrequent, or hard, difficult bowel movements. In most cases, constipation is a temporary problem, brought on by changes in diet or during potty training.
Your child’s bowel habits may change over time and may be different from other kids. Some children have one or more bowel movements a day, or may only go a few times a week.
Just because a child doesn’t have a bowel movement every day, doesn’t necessarily mean they are constipated.
Your child may have constipation if they:
If your child has constipation, it is usually easy to treat and prevent.
In most cases of childhood constipation, it is a temporary problem that is easily preventable and treatable.
To prevent and treat constipation, you can:
These regular habits can go a long way in preventing constipation and causing quick improvement when it is a problem.
At Kids and Tummies, the team addresses the clinical symptoms and discomfort associated with constipation, along with a thorough evaluation of medical and behavioral causes. They work closely with patients and families to establish individualized treatment plans to address constipation as well as fecal soiling.
In most cases, constipation is a temporary condition. When your child has frequent or ongoing constipation for more than a couple of weeks, has blood in their stool, or severe abdominal pain, it is important to get them evaluated.
In rare cases, constipation may be chronic and cause long-term complications, that may include:
When your child suffers from chronic constipation or has complications of chronic constipation, the team at Kids and Tummies strives to give long-term treatment and support, so that your child may have the best quality of life possible.
If you’re concerned about your child’s acute or chronic constipation, call or book an appointment online with Kids and Tummies today.