Since becoming a parent it is likely you have never discussed poo in its various forms quite so much. Like adults, baby and child bowel movements will vary from person to person. Some babies will have dirty nappies several times a day, some will only have a dirty nappy once or twice a week.<\/p>\n
Being a first time parent, it is difficult to know exactly what is normal. Asking other parents about their baby’s nappy habits may only confirm your own usually needless fears.<\/p>\n
This week, from 24 \u2013 30 August it is Gut Week, organised by national medical research charity Core, The Gut Trust, St Mark’s Hospital in Harrow and Yakult. Its aims are to help people better understand the role of their digestive system and good gut health.<\/p>\n
Consultant paediatrician and paediatric gastroenterologist,\u00a0 Dr Warren Hyer, has advice for parents to help them understand the varying bowel movements of their children.<\/p>\n
Babies<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe bowel movements for babies depend on whether they are breast fed. Many breast fed babies will poo a mustard stool up to 8 times a day. This is normal, but – the presence of any blood or mucous needs review as this might reflect a food allergy. Bottle fed babies tend to poo less often as milk calcium salts tend to constipate the stools.<\/p>\n Toddlers<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIn infancy, many children tend to fear using the potty or toilet \u2013 and this can result in them clenching their buttocks or gripping the walls and surfaces grimacing in distress. Parents may interpret this as “struggling” to poo – this is far from the truth, since this is “faecal retentive behaviour” – a desperate attempt by the pre school child to hold onto their poo – panicking that passing it might hurt.<\/p>\n Younger Children<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIn older children and adolescents, some children may only need to poo a couple of times a week. This is not constipation unless the stools are massive and hard. Soiling however, is frequently a consequence of significant impaction of stool in a full rectum leading to leaking and seepage. This is treatable but needs clearing out with laxative therapy – then continence swiftly will return.<\/p>\n \u201cStool frequency will also be affected by diet. Naturally, diets high in fibre will lead to bulky soft stools. Milk may harden stools. Many simple therapies are available to help children poo. There are softeners which are harmless e.g. lactulose, or stimulant medicines – particularly good in those who ignore the desire to poo or hold on e.g. senokot or movicol. Such therapies are safe in children but may be necessary for months.<\/p>\n