Learn about constipation including causes, treatment and prevent. Watch the video for more expert advice about constipation.

If your child doesn't empty their bowels at least three times a week, and their stools (poo) are often hard and difficult to pass, they may be constipated. Their stools may look like little pellets.

Soiled pants can be another sign of constipation, as soft stools (diarrhoea) may leak around the hard, constipated stools.

Constipation is a very common problem for children. For most children, constipation means passing hard poo (faeces, stools or motions), with difficulty, less often than normal. 

Constipation is a common problem. It means either going to the toilet less often than usual to empty the bowels, or passing hard or painful poo (also called faeces, stools or motions). Constipation may be caused by not eating enough fibre, or not drinking enough fluids. It can also be a side-effect of certain medicines, or related to an underlying medical condition.