Question
My child is three years old and has bowel movements every three or four days. The stool is not hard, and the child drinks plenty of water. Is this normal? What precautions should be taken?
Answer
If the child has no difficulty defecating and the stool is not hard, and the child drinks an adequate amount of water, this frequency of bowel movements may be normal. However, each child’s bowel habits can vary slightly, so it’s important to observe the child’s overall health and appetite. Here are some suggestions:
- If the child has difficulty defecating, you can use a child-specific enema or insert a small piece of soap (about five minutes) into the anus to temporarily relieve symptoms.
- Adjust the child’s diet by giving them some pine nuts every day, as they contain a high amount of oil which can help with defecation.
- Train the child to have regular bowel movements and increase their physical activity to promote intestinal peristalsis.
- You can massage the child’s abdomen by massaging in a clockwise direction around the navel to help with defecation.
- If the child’s constipation is due to illness or if the constipation is severe, it is important to take the child to a doctor for treatment promptly.