How To Help Overcome Chronic Constipation: Do’s And Don’ts
Last updated: January 2026
Quick Answer
To overcome chronic kabz (constipation) in children: increase fiber (papaya, prunes, whole wheat), give plenty of water, establish a regular potty routine after meals, and encourage physical activity. Avoid excessive milk (max 2 cups daily), maida products, and punishing the child for accidents. Most importantly - be patient! Chronic constipation takes 3-6 months of consistent effort to fully resolve. If your child hasn't pooped in 5+ days or has blood in stool, consult a pediatrician.
Quick Summary
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Chronic kabz (constipation) in children - lasting weeks or months - can be frustrating for parents and painful for kids. This guide gives you a clear step-by-step approach to help your child overcome long-standing constipation, with specific do's and don'ts that actually work. The key is patience, dietary changes, and building healthy potty habits.
Understanding Chronic Constipation
What Makes It "Chronic"?
Constipation lasting more than 2-3 weeks
Less than 3 bowel movements per week consistently
Child regularly has hard, painful stools
Child deliberately holds potty to avoid pain
Why Children Hold Their Potty:
Many children develop a fear of using the latrine after experiencing painful hard stools once. This creates a cycle: they hold potty, stool becomes harder, it hurts more, and they hold even longer. Breaking this cycle is key to treating chronic constipation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Overcome Chronic Kabz
Step 1: Clean Out the Backlog (First 3-5 Days)
Before building new habits, you may need to help your child clear the accumulated hard stool.
What to do:
Consult your pediatrician about using Duphalac (lactulose) or Cremaffin for a few days
Give extra fluids - water, coconut water, diluted juices
Include papaya, prunes, and pear daily
Warm milk with ghee at bedtime
Important: This step may require medical supervision. Don't give enemas or strong laxatives without doctor's advice.
6-12 months: 4-6 oz (along with breast milk/formula)
1-3 years: 4-6 small glasses (500-700ml)
3-6 years: 6-8 glasses (800ml-1L)
6+ years: 8+ glasses (1-1.5L)
Tips to increase water:
Offer water in colorful sippy cups
Add a squeeze of lemon for taste
Give water-rich fruits (watermelon, orange, grapes)
Make it a routine - water first thing in morning
Coconut water (nariyal pani) is great
Step 4: Build a Toilet Routine
The Gastrocolic Reflex:
After eating, the body naturally wants to push out waste. Use this!
Daily routine:
Wake up, give warm water
After breakfast (15-30 mins), sit on potty
Same time every day - consistency matters
Sit for 5-10 minutes, no pressure
Use a footstool for proper position (knees above hips)
Make it comfortable:
Never rush the child
Let them have a book or sing songs
Praise effort, not just results
No punishments for accidents
Keep the bathroom warm and child-friendly
Step 5: Encourage Physical Activity
Why it helps:
Movement stimulates the intestines and helps food move through faster.
For babies (6-12 months):
Tummy time
Bicycle leg exercises
Crawling
For toddlers (1-3 years):
Free play, running
Dancing to music
Park time - climbing, sliding
For older kids (3+ years):
At least 60 minutes of active play daily
Less screen time, more outdoor time
Cycling, running, swimming
Yoga poses like pawanmuktasana (wind-relieving pose)
Do's and Don'ts
DO's:
Start the day with warm water
Include fiber in every meal
Make toilet time relaxed and positive
Be patient - chronic constipation takes weeks to resolve
Use positive reinforcement and rewards
Keep a poop diary to track progress
Give ghee with food (lubricates intestines)
Consult doctor if needed
DON'Ts:
Don't force-feed or force potty
Don't punish for accidents or holding
Don't rely on laxatives long-term without medical guidance
Don't ignore the problem hoping it will resolve itself
Don't give enemas at home without doctor's advice
Don't shame or embarrass the child
Don't skip follow-up doctor visits
Tips for Success
Be Patient - Chronic constipation developed over time; it will take time to resolve (often 6-12 months)
Consistency is Key - Same routine, same time, every day
Celebrate Small Wins - Praise your child for sitting on potty, even if nothing happens
Keep a Food Diary - Note what helps and what causes hard stools
Stay Positive - Your stress can transfer to your child; keep toilet time calm
Indian Remedies That Help:
Gulkand (1 tsp daily for kids 1+)
Hing water for babies with gas
Ajwain water after heavy meals
Isabgol (for kids 2+, with plenty of water)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Stopping treatment too soon - Continue fiber-rich diet even after stools normalize
Too much milk - Excess dairy causes kabz; limit to 2 cups daily
Not enough water - Fiber without water can make constipation worse
Punishing accidents - Creates fear and makes holding worse
Inconsistent routine - Irregular meal and potty times confuse the body
Ignoring emotional factors - Stress, school anxiety can cause constipation
When to Seek Help
See your pediatrician if:
No improvement after 2-3 weeks of home management
Blood in stool (beyond tiny streaks)
Child has severe pet dard
Weight loss or poor growth
Stool leaking (soiling) in potty-trained child
Constipation since birth (could indicate underlying condition)
Swollen, hard belly
Medical treatments your doctor might suggest:
Lactulose syrup (Duphalac)
Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
Stool softeners
In severe cases, disimpaction under medical supervision
What's Normal By Age?
Age
Normal Frequency
Consistency
Newborn (breastfed)
After every feed to once weekly
Soft, seedy, yellow
Newborn (formula)
1-2 times daily
Soft, tan
6-12 months
1-2 times daily
Soft, formed
1-3 years
Once daily
Soft, formed
3+ years
Once daily to every other day
Soft, brown
Expert Insight: Dr. Sumitra explains: 'Every baby's poop schedule is different. Some go 7 times a day, some once a week - both can be normal.'
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to cure chronic constipation?
A: With consistent effort, you should see improvement in 2-4 weeks. However, to fully overcome chronic kabz, it can take 3-6 months of maintaining good habits. Don't stop the routine once stools improve - continue for at least 6 months.
Q: My child screams and refuses to sit on potty - what should I do?
A: This is common in children with chronic constipation who've experienced pain. Start by making potty time pressure-free - sit together, read books, use a reward chart. Some parents find success with using the potty during bath time when child is relaxed. If fear persists, consult your doctor about temporary stool softeners.
Q: Can I give Kayam Churna or other ayurvedic laxatives to my child?
A: Most ayurvedic laxatives are formulated for adults and can be too strong for children. Always consult your pediatrician before giving any laxative - even natural ones. Safer options include isabgol (with doctor's guidance), gulkand, and dietary changes.
Q: Is it true that holding potty can cause serious problems?
A: Yes, chronic holding can lead to fecal impaction (stool becomes so hard it's stuck), stool leakage, and stretching of the rectum which reduces sensation. That's why it's important to address chronic constipation early and make toilet time positive.
Q: My child only poops every 3-4 days but doesn't seem uncomfortable - is this okay?
A: If the stool is soft and child is not in pain, infrequent pooping may be their normal pattern. However, if stools are hard or child strains, this is constipation regardless of frequency. Focus on consistency of stool, not just how often.
Q: Should I reduce or stop milk completely?
A: Complete stopping is usually not necessary. Limit cow's milk to 2 cups (400ml) daily for toddlers. If child drinks more, replace some with water, coconut water, or diluted fruit juice. Too much milk fills the tummy, reduces appetite for fiber-rich foods, and can cause kabz.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. For personalized advice about your child's chronic constipation, consult with Babynama's pediatric experts on WhatsApp.
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