Your Kid Might Be Constipated

I wanted to try something a little different for today’s deep dive. So I’m going to talk through the topic via video! Due to overwhelmingly popular demand (literally no one asked for this), I will give the people what they want: 22 minutes of me talking about poop. Specifically, constipation, which is one of my favorite things to talk about. That probably sounds weird, but I am weird and that’s probably part of why you’re here. Anyway, constipation. It’s super common, it can cause symptoms you would have never thought to blame on poop, and most importantly, it’s something we can usually do something about.

So I’m going all the way in this one! I even made drawings so we can break down how your body knows when it’s time to poop, why kids can get stuck in the constipation cycle, how a child can poop every day and STILL be constipated, and why constipation can sometimes present itself as belly pain, pee accidents, bed wetting, or even diarrhea. Take all that, add in some diddies about clean-outs, potty habits, and the maintenance phase (a nod to my favorite podcast)—perhaps the most misunderstood part of treating chronic constipation - and you essentially have a trial podcast episode that is entirely full of shit.

_{A quick reminder: This post contains general information and is not intended as medical advice. Additionally, the information shared about kids is generally for healthy, typically developing, and growing, full-term children unless otherwise stated. I am a pediatrician, but interacting with or following this account does not establish a doctor-patient relationship, nor does this information replace the advice of your own doctor.}