Signs Of Constipation

Keep in mind that an irregular bowel elimination pattern is different from constipation, although both conditions, if uncorrected, can make it difficult to get dry. If your child is constipated, his stool are hard to pass because they are large, hard, and dry, or, if there is an impaction, he may have loose, watery diarrhea, because the impaction acts as a plug preventing the passage of anything other than this stool water. Watch for the following signs of constipation's:


Fecal staining or soiling in underpants, called encopresis

In such cases, the bowel holds so much stool that the bowel sphincter (or anal sphincter) gets tired of holding it in, when the muscle relaxes, the underpants get stained. In other circumstances, the colon may simply evacuate unpredictably.


Poor Appetite

Your child may say he's not hungry because his stomach feel full. The source of his may really be a full colon or intestine.


Pain

Your child may not feel the urge to have a bowel movement, but he may experience abdominal pain, rectal pain, or cramping before or during a bowel movement. If your child shows any of these signs, take the necessary steps to relive the discomfort and return your child to regularity (bowel irregularity seems to hinder progress toward dryness in about 20 percent of enuretic children.


Bowel Movements Have Slowed Down

Your baby will have less bowel movements the older he gets, but if it starts suddenly and is accompanied by discomfort and fussiness, it may be due to constipation. Breastfed babies are less likely to be constipated but if he has just started solids, it may have caused it.


Baby Seems Relieved After Bowel Movement

If your baby is having a particularly hard time passing a stool and then seems relieved when it finally comes out, it may be due to constipation.


Blood-Streaks In Diaper

Anal fissures or hemmorhoids could be caused by the hard stools. (Definitely contact pediatrician about this to rule out anything worse.)