Each bout of toddlers chronic constipation is becoming increasingly more difficult to treat. could there be a bigger problem?

Toddler constipation: Not likely as most bowel problems causing difficulty passing stool are found before a year old. I feel the key issue is the recuurence. Each time this happens it is like starting over. Encourage your child to drink water, eat or drink the juice of peaches , pears, and prunes daily . There are also gummy fiber chews and if still need more help perhaps sit down with your healthcare worker again.

Possibly: It is entirely possible that there is more to the story than just general constipation, but a behavioral component should also be considered. Children (especially toddlers) with long term constipation, particularly those subjected to frequent enemas or other procedures, may withhold stool intentionally which makes the problem much worse.

Stool retention: Treatment in some toddlers/kids often fails because parents quit treatment too soon. Kids who retain stretch out their large bowel & it can take a year for it to shrink back to normal size & produce a normal stool pattern. Reaching this point requires the help of a pedi GI or developmental pediatrician to design & monitor rehab. The big problem is how few regular docs treat it successfully.