The Post-Halloween Poop Plan Every Parent Needs

One of our client families had a daughter who pooped like clockwork until Halloween. Then she went two full weeks without a single poop.

Nothing dramatic caused it. A pillowcase of candy pushed fibre off her plate, juice boxes replaced water, and late nights led to rushed mornings with no time to sit and go. Each change was small, but together they added up to one very stuck kiddo.

Naturopathic care with Dr. Kirsten Almon and pelvic floor physiotherapy, working together, got her back on track. That combination is exactly why we love being a team clinic.

We see this every November, and it's worth talking about. About 1 in 10 kids worldwide deal with constipation, and there is so much we can do to help. The only awkward conversation is the one we're not having, and poop talk with kids counts.

Why November bellies back up

Halloween changes a few daily habits at once, and the gut notices all of them.

Candy pushes fibre off the plate. When kids are full of chocolate and gummies, there's less room for the fruit, veggies and whole grains that keep stool soft.

Juice boxes replace water. Kids still drink, but stool needs plain water to stay soft and easy to pass.

Rushed mornings leave no time to go. After late nights, mornings become a scramble. Many kids get their natural urge to poop after breakfast, and when there's no time to sit, they learn to ignore it.

Signs your child is holding it

Kids rarely announce that they're constipated. Watch for these instead:

• The potty dance: crossed legs, tiptoes, or hiding behind the couch.

• Skid marks in their underwear, which can mean stool is leaking around a hard, backed-up poop.

• New pee accidents in a child who was already dry.

Kids hold because hard poops hurt, and their body learns to clamp down to avoid the pain. Holding makes the next poop harder and more painful, and the cycle keeps going until someone helps break it.

Where the pelvic floor comes in

The pelvic floor is the group of muscles at the base of the pelvis that helps control pee and poop. Every time a child holds, their pelvic floor squeezes when it should let go. Do that often enough and those muscles forget how to relax on the toilet.

A full rectum also presses on the bladder. That's why constipation, bedwetting and daytime leaks so often show up together in kids aged 3 to 10. Treating the constipation frequently helps the bladder too.

We like to say the pelvic floor is like a trampoline. Sometimes it needs to get stronger, and sometimes, like for a kid who has been holding, it needs to learn to relax. Our pediatric physiotherapist Akanksha teaches kids exactly how, using play, breathing and body awareness that makes sense to them.

Dr. Almon's kitchen plan

Dr. Kirsten Almon, ND, recommends three simple changes at home.

1. Candy with meals, not all day. Pair a treat with lunch or dinner instead of letting kids graze from the candy bag. Their meals stay full of real food, and the candy doesn't crowd out fibre.

2. Age + 5 grams of fibre a day. A 6 year old needs about 11 grams. Pears, raspberries and oatmeal make it easy. Add fibre gradually and pair it with water so it softens stool instead of bulking it up.

3. Keep water flowing. Aim for about 5 cups a day for kids aged 4 to 8, and 7 or more cups for older kids. A fun water bottle they choose themselves goes a long way.

Set them up on the throne

How a child sits on the toilet matters as much as what they eat.

Have them sit for 5 minutes after meals, when the gut naturally gets moving. Put their feet on a stool so their knees are above their hips, and have them rest their elbows on their knees. This position relaxes the muscles around the rectum so poop can pass more easily. Dangling feet make kids brace and squeeze, which is the opposite of what we want.

Try the Jack-O'-Lantern Breath. Have your child puff their belly out round like a pumpkin, then slowly blow out the candle. This belly breath helps the pelvic floor open up so the poop can come out, with no straining or pushing.

The I Love U belly rub

This is a gentle tummy massage from our osteopathy team that follows the path of the large intestine. Use a little lotion and do it for about 5 minutes at bedtime.

• I: Trace down your child's left side.

• L: Go across under the ribs from their right to their left, then down.

• U: Make an upside down U: up their right side, across, and down their left.

Our Naturopath, pelvic floor physiotherapist or our osteopaths use gentle hands-on work in clinic to keep the gut moving too, and they're happy to show you the technique in person.

When to book in

Book an appointment with our team if your child has:

• 3 or more days without a poop.

• Poops that hurt or look like rabbit pellets.

• New accidents, pee or poop.

Call your doctor right away if you see blood in the poop, vomiting, or a swollen belly.

Constipation in kids is common, but it isn't something you have to wait out. Most kids do really well with a few changes at home plus the right support, and they get there faster when the team works together.

Free Naturopathic Wellness Checks for kids, Wednesday November 4

Dr. Kirsten Almon is offering free 15-minute Naturopathic Wellness Checks for kids 12 and under this Wednesday, November 4 from 3 to 6 pm at our Dundas clinic. She'll check ears, lungs, throat, glands and tummies.

Spots are limited. Call 289-238-8383 or email hello@blueberrytherapy.ca to book.

For ongoing care with our pediatric physiotherapist, naturopath or osteopaths, book online at blueberrytherapy.janeapp.com.

Frequently asked questions:

How long is too long for a child to go without pooping? Three or more days without a poop, or poops that are hard and painful, is a good reason to book in. Call your doctor right away for blood in the poop, vomiting, or a swollen belly.

Can constipation cause bedwetting in kids? Yes. A full rectum presses on the bladder, which is why constipation, bedwetting and daytime leaks so often show up together in kids aged 3 to 10.

How much fibre does my child need? A simple guide is your child's age plus 5 grams a day. A 6 year old needs about 11 grams.

What does a pediatric pelvic floor physiotherapist do for constipation? They teach kids how to relax their pelvic floor on the toilet, sit in a position that makes pooping easier, and breathe instead of strain. Sessions are playful and age-appropriate.

Blueberry Therapy Pelvic Health & Pediatrics is a team clinic at 14 Cross Street, Unit B, in Dundas, Ontario. This post is general education and isn't a substitute for individual medical advice.