Medical article
Constipation in children and healthy toilet habits
Dr. Dilara Hasanova spoke about bowel health in children and healthy toilet habits on Dalğa FM's “Valideyn saatı” (“Parents' Hour”) program. This article summarizes that topic. Constipation in children is evaluated first by a pediatrician.
How does constipation show up in children?
- Infrequent and painful bowel movements, hard and large stools
- The child avoiding the toilet, crossing their legs and “holding it in”
- Traces of stool in the underwear
- Abdominal pain, loss of appetite
The most common causes
- Drinking too little fluid and eating too few fruits and vegetables
- Putting off going to the toilet: play, embarrassment, reluctance to use the school toilet
- Fear after a painful bowel movement (sometimes because of a small anal fissure)
- Little physical activity
- Changes in routine: travel, starting school
Mistakes parents often make
- Scolding or punishing the child over toilet matters
- Teaching the child to put off going to the toilet at school by saying “you can hold it”
- Giving laxatives for a long time without seeing a doctor
How do you build healthy toilet habits?
- A regular 5–10-minute “toilet time” after meals
- Putting a stool under the feet so the child sits comfortably
- Enough water, fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods
- Daily movement and play
- Praising the child and creating a calm, comfortable environment
- Teaching a school-age child not to be embarrassed to go to the toilet when the need arises
When should you see a doctor?
See a pediatrician if there is blood in the stool, vomiting, a swollen belly, weight loss, fever or very severe pain, or if constipation lasts longer than a few weeks. If there is a fissure, bleeding or a lump in the anal area, the pediatrician may refer the child to a proctologist.
Program: Full version on the Dalğa FM YouTube channel (February 11, 2026).
