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children become severely constipated at age 3 years old. Why?

11 replies

Realistrealm · 29/09/2025 10:21

My children become severely constipated when they turn 3 but before that age they ok and they even go three to two times a day. Now my child DS3 goes every three days and it’s huge and hard. It’s same pattern with my eldest which he ended up impacted etc and on movicol till now. What’s the cause why when they turn 3. Diet still the same lot of water fruit and vaggie. They even like lettuce and spinach so not fussy eater at all. As soon they turn three something switch. They go from regular to every 3 days and bloody huge.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 29/09/2025 14:24

Do they drink a lot of water? My two always have a bottle of water at school day even in winter.

Bushwoolie · 29/09/2025 14:25

I came in thinking diet as I'm currently having this issue with my son. But it sounds like your children eat much much healthier diet than mine.

Do you have a family history of IBS etc as I know this is being recognised as starting in earlier childhood. Or are any of them neurodiverse as there are clear links between the two.

HyggeTygge · 29/09/2025 14:29

How many children are you talking about - just 2?

What things have happened in their lives at that age - any childcare?

Bitzee · 29/09/2025 14:56

Something to do with nursery? Like they’re not being reminded to drink in the preschool room and/or don’t want to interrupt playing to go to the toilet or are scared of the toilets so are withholding.

Or something to do with potty training if they only recently trained?

mo25 · 29/09/2025 15:51

Reduced milk?

Dabralor · 29/09/2025 15:54

For mine it was nursery - she didn’t like going to the toilet there and it totally messed up her routines. Took years to get over! I hope you find some answers soon - it’s so hard 😢

BertieBotts · 29/09/2025 16:27

Could it be potty training? I used to struggle to get DS1 to go to the toilet for a poo and DS2 as well. When DS3 stopped using nappies at night, we decided to insist on a bedtime "try for poo" and we were surprised not only by how much it helped DS3 but also DS2 - his behaviour improved so much, I think he was holding onto his poo and it was making him uncomfortable but not in a way he was aware of.

FcukBreastCancer · 29/09/2025 16:40

Not wanting to poo at nursery / school maybe.
We went through it with both kids in early primary

Realistrealm · 01/10/2025 21:37

Thank you all for your replies. The only thing happened for my youngest is potty. I potty trained him 3-4 months ago and I made sure I left it till he turned 3 to avoid constipation. He was fine at beginning but now every three days and even if he goes everyday they are huge 🥲

OP posts:
lightnesspixie · 01/10/2025 21:49

Do they start nursery and feel embarrassed to go there if they need? That can cause impaction and constipation them holding it in. It’s the only thing I can think of

user1476613140 · 01/10/2025 21:52

Cow's milk often can cause constipation. Does he drink loads of it?

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