Fussy Eater Constipation Tips - Fussy Eater Solutions
                     Fussy Eater Constipation Tips
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FUSSY EATER CONSTIPATION TIPS
Fussy eater constipation tips are provided to assist you to give relief to your 
fussy eater and to reduce the frequency of future bouts of constipation.
My girlfriend’s 4-year-old son had not been to the toilet for a few days. She, at the time, 
was involved in a Theatre play, and was away from home every single night. No amount 
of persuasion, or homemade remedies would help. However, at the end of the week, 
theatre was finished, and her little boy finally went to the toilet.
“See”, he said, “there’s Daddy poo, there’s kiddy poo, and this is baby poo…and their 
mummy? She’s at the theatre!”
We thought it was a very funny story at the time. However, when it comes to limited 
bowel movement some answers are not so simple.
Constipation is a frequent issue that affects 30% of children. It requires all the attention 
of a mother when she’s home from the Theatre.
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When I work with a new family, finding out if their fussy eater suffers from chronic 
constipation is a priority. Often, they have a lower fibre intake, than other children.  But 
this goes beyond nutrition: it always does. Constipation may affect appetite and 
exacerbate anxiety associated with eating.
What is constipation?
Children can have irregular bowel movements and not go to the toilet every day without 
being constipated. Babies who are breastfed may poop once a week, while children may 
go every 2 or 3 days. Toddlers may be struggling to juggle toilet training and pooping 
action.
Therefore, the appropriate way to assess and confirm constipation it to check your fussy 
eater’s stools. It is indicated by dry, nuts/pellets like, or large dry painful stools. These 
are depicted in the Bristol Stool Chart here. There are quite a few signs of constipation 
you may see along the way.
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Signs of constipation 
 Refusing to go to the toilet,
 Reduced appetite, the child feels full after a few bites. Appetite may increase after a 
child passes a large stool. Then it decreases again,
 Nausea and vomiting (because the stomach is slow at emptying),
 Complaining of abdominal pain or cramps,
 Irritability, anxiety.  Children may cry, bend their body in two, or lie down in a fetal 
position. They may cross their legs and refuse to go to the toilet as they become 
anxious about the pain they experience. They may soil their pants,
 Anal fissures, from straining.
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Causes of constipation
 a refined diet that lacks fibre,
 limited hydration,
 overconsumption of dairy products,
 a lack of physical activity,
 Ignoring the urge to poop, for example, due to associated pain.
 underlying medical causes (allergies, celiac disease etc).
When should you take your fussy eater to a doctor?
If you are worried about your child, you should seek medical advice immediately. If your 
child has frequent, chronic constipation it is best to check with your GP, so they may rule 
out any specific cause or help you avoid a worsening of the situation like faecal impaction. 
It is worth considering reducing the pain before tackling constipation, particularly when 
home remedies have been unsuccessful.
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Your child may be chronically constipated and your doctor or paediatrician may further 
investigate the issue. Trust your doctor’s advice before eliminating foods from your child’s 
diet on a wild guess. Relief is important, the doctor may prescribe laxatives.  It is important 
not to self-prescribe those to a child. Laxatives can reduce bowel movement in the long 
term.
Fussy eater constipation tips
• Hydration matters, because as much as fibre is important to a child’s diet, a bulk of fibre 
will not move without good hydration. The trick is to offer water at meals and during the 
day. Use a glass here, a bottle or a cup there.
• Foods that are beneficial include prunes, pureed apple and juices, fruit (unpeeled, 
including grapes, pears, persimmons, and kiwis) and vegetables. Seeded, sprouted, 
wholegrain and wholemeal bread, pasta and rice, legumes (chickpeas and lentils), seeds 
and nuts can be offered at mealtimes. Psyllium can be sprinkled over breakfast.
• Some naturally occurring sugars like sorbitol, xylitol, or mannitol found in stone fruit like 
avocado, plum, cherries, peaches, apricots etc, have a laxative effect.  They are often 
used as sweeteners in yoghurt and other products.
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• Massage and/or warm bath may help babies and children.
• Exercise is important, lifting legs up, or any movement that can put gentle pressure 
around the bowel area may help.
• Regular opportunities to sit down on the toilet, i.e. a once a day or after each meal 
should be provided. However, the toilet routine should not pressurise children to 
produce stools: it needs to allow children to relax.
• Footstools that raise knees higher than hips will provide good ergonomics.
• Bananas, especially if unripe, grated apple and excessive milk may increase constipation.
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About Us
Issues arising around eating are numerous 
and may trigger unwarranted stress. 
Difficulties with fussy eating, confusion 
around nutrition, demonisation of food and 
goal settings on size and health, can further 
impair parents' ability to know what to do 
and how to do it. Fussy Eater Solutions' 
philosophy is to be inclusive of your eating 
culture, personal beliefs, and financial 
situation. We work together, either through 
workshops or individual appointments, to 
help children find pleasure, confidence, and 
mindfulness in eating. 
www.fussyeater.com.au Call: 0421 843 038
Contact us
6 Riddell Parade, Elsternwick 3185, Victoria, 
Australia
0421 843 038
[email protected]
www.fussyeater.com.au
www.fussyeater.com.au Call: 0421 843 038