Question
What should I do if my child doesn’t have a bowel movement for several days?
Answer
If the child only has a decrease in bowel movement without other discomforts and the stool is not hard, it may be due to indigestion, commonly referred to as ‘stagnant abdomen’. For infants who have already started on porridge, increasing fluid intake with more water, or trying juices and vegetable broths can help increase fluid and dietary fiber, aiding in gastrointestinal motility. If the stool is hard, it may indicate constipation, and you can try giving the child some cooling foods.