I was floored when my friend, an early childhood educator, told me their nursery now has a daily "Laxative Hour". It is a sad fact that most kids are constipated and regularly take laxatives. Shocking, right?

And if that wasn’t concerning enough, another friend recently shared a heartbreaking story: her friend’s son has been on laxatives since he was just 2 years old. He’s now a teenager, and sadly, he no longer has bowel control. Years of dependency on laxatives have impacted his gut so severely that his body has lost its natural ability to go without help.

Constipation isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s quietly becoming a widespread issue among children, and how we respond to it matters.

Constipation in Kids: Why It’s Becoming an Epidemic

Constipation in children is far more common than most people realise. According to the NHS, around 1 in 3 children experience constipation at any given time. For adults, it’s 1 in 7. If this isn’t a health epidemic, what is?

Toilet Anxiety in Children Is Real and Often Overlooked

Poo is often labelled as “yucky”, “dirty”, or “stinky” when kids are in nappies. These labels can unintentionally cause shame around something natural—creating early toilet anxiety.

Fear of smelly or noisy toilets, painful past experiences, or being rushed can make children hold in their poo. The result? Harder, bulkier stools that are painful to pass—reinforcing the fear and starting a cycle of anxiety, pain, and chronic constipation.

Even teens aren’t immune. Many simply refuse to use the toilet at school due to embarrassment. This avoidance only worsens the issue over time.

Find out more:

5 Signs of Constipation (& Natural Constipation Relief Solutions)

What Causes Constipation in Kids?

Constipation in children can stem from:

• Low-fibre diets

• Inadequate hydration

• Lack of physical activity

• Toilet anxiety or avoidance

• Poor toilet posture

• Underlying medical conditions

Symptoms of Constipation in Kids

Your child may be constipated if:

Your child might be constipated if they:

• Have fewer than 3 bowel movements per week

• Pass large, hard, or pellet-like stools

• Strain or cry during bowel movements

• Experience pain or bleeding while passing stool

• Complain of stomach aches or loss of appetite

• Have soiled pants from soft stool leaking around blockage (overflow soiling)

If your child is over 1 year old, soiled pants can be another sign of constipation, as runny poo (diarrhoea) may leak out around the hard, constipated poo. This is called overflow soiling. (2)

The Laxative Loop: Why Long-Term Use Can Do More Harm Than Good

When a child is constipated, laxatives might seem like a quick fix. But they’re often the beginning of a dependency cycle that can damage long-term gut health.

Many parents aren’t warned that:

• Overuse of laxatives can disrupt the gut microbiota, which is essential for digestion, immunity, and even mental wellbeing.

• Prolonged use can weaken the colon’s natural signals, making the bowel “lazy” and unable to work on its own.

• In some cases, bowel control is lost, especially if started very young and used consistently over time.

What starts as an occasional solution can easily become a permanent crutch—leaving kids reliant, frustrated, and at higher risk for digestive dysfunction into adulthood.

💡 That’s why early, gentle, natural support matters so much. Rebalancing gut health with prebiotics, hydration, fibre, and consistent habits is a much more sustainable approach.

One option that helps break the cycle?
ió Gut Health Drink: a natural, non-habit-forming solution that supports regular bowel movements through clinically backed prebiotic fibre. It’s safe, effective, and designed for everyday support, not dependency.

Supported by an authorised European and GB health claim for 'supporting proper gut function through increased stool frequency'.

What Helps Constipation in Kids?

Constipation doesn’t have to be a long-term struggle. With the right natural strategies, you can help your child feel better... without resorting to harsh solutions (which can be detrimental in the long term).

Here are six parent-trusted tips to naturally relieve constipation in kids:

Here are six tips that can help relieve constipation in kids:

1. Boost Fibre the Fun Way

Fibre is crucial for keeping bowel movements soft, regular, and easy to pass. But the National Diet and Nutrition Survey published by Public Health England (3) shows that 96% of UK children aren’t meeting their daily fibre needs.

Considering that the average ADULT fibre intake daily is 19g (4g higher than what a 2 to 5-year-old should be consuming), we have a problem. And not only with constipation but a higher risk of diseases and health conditions (as mentioned above) in later life.

In other words...there's a very high likelihood that your child is not getting enough fibre in their diet. (And chances are, you aren't either!).

What to do about increasing fibre intake:

Add more:

• Wholegrain foods like oats, seeded bread, and brown rice

• Skin-on fruits and vegetables

• Fibre-rich legumes like lentils and beans

To help close the fibre gap easily, especially for picky eaters, ió Gut Health Drink delivers 6g of fibre per bottle using a special type of prebiotic fibre that’s gentle and effective. It’s delicious, natural, and has no sugar, no sweeteners, and no bits.

How much fibre should kids eat daily?

More people, including kids, need to eat more fibre and less sugar. A diet rich in fibre can help digestion and prevent constipation.

Eating 30g (or more) of fibre daily (for adults) is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity and bowel cancer.

Although children don't need to eat as much fibre in their diet as older teenagers and adults, they still need to consume more than they do currently:

• 2 to 5-year-olds: need about 15g of fibre daily
• 5 to 11-year-olds: need about 20g of fibre daily
• 11 to 16-year-olds: need about 25g of fibre daily 

Getting kids on the 'high fibre track' when they are young is a good start for not only reducing constipation, and supporting their overall health, as well as teaching them the importance of eating fibre in general.

2. Hydration = Happy Bowels

Water plays a huge role in helping fibre move through the gut. Dehydration can harden stool and slow down digestion.

Encourage your child to sip throughout the day. A smart choice? ió Gut Health Drink provides both hydration and gut-supporting fibre, making it a powerful two-in-one solution.

3. Encourage Regular Movement

Movement stimulates the digestive system. Aim for at least 60 minutes of active play every day, whether it’s riding bikes, dancing, or just running around outside.

4. Establish a Calm Toilet Routine

Support your child in creating a stress-free bathroom habit:

• Sit on the toilet after meals

• Use a footstool for good posture (feet flat, knees above hips)

• Offer praise for trying: not just results

• Avoid screens like phones or tablets during toilet time. While it might seem like a helpful distraction, especially for reluctant or anxious kids, screens can actually interfere with healthy toilet habits from poor posture, extended sitting times, disrupted mindfulness and delayed response.

Better Alternatives to Avoiding Screens for a Calm Toilet Routine:

• A picture book – light distraction, not over-stimulating

• Music or soft background sound – relaxing without engaging all their attention

• Visual timer – helps make sitting time predictable (5–10 minutes)

• A reward chart or praise system – focuses on the behaviour, not the result

Reducing “toilet anxiety” goes a long way in improving regularity.

5. Feed Their Gut with Prebiotics

Prebiotics are a special type of fibre that feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping to improve digestion and promote natural stool frequency.

What makes ió Gut Health Drink unique is the use of a clinically proven prebiotic fibre that’s gentle on tummies. Because of this specific prebiotic, ió is officially approved to carry the health claim:
“Supports proper gut function by increasing stool frequency.”

That means it’s not just a refreshing drink, as it’s a scientifically backed way to help your child feel better from the inside out.

6. Speak to Your GP When Needed

If your child’s constipation continues despite dietary changes, or if you notice pain, blood in stools, or ongoing soiling, it’s essential to consult your GP for guidance and further evaluation.

A natural (and delicious) solution to help constipation in kids (and adults!)

Although it is obviously important to introduce your kids to healthy food options that are high in nutrients and fibre, there is another easy way to boost your kid's (and the whole family's) fibre intake (and support their gut health, too!).

ió fibrewater is the UK's first prebiotic fibre-infused water, providing 6g of fibre in every bottle. This equates to 40% of a 2-5-year-old child's fibre intake and 20% of an adult's fibre intake. Plus, it's hydrating, too!

About ió fibrewater:

• 6g of fibre per 500 ml bottle
• No added sugar
• No artificial sweeteners
• No artificial flavours, colours or preservatives
• It tastes great - kids love it! (Particularly the strawberry one)
• NO BITS!!! Looks and tastes just like water with just a splash of natural  Lemon & Lime or Strawberry flavour
• Approved authorised UK health claim for 'proper gut function due to increased stool frequency (on our label) 
• Scientifically proven to increase healthy gut bacteria significantly (4)
• Suitable for ages 2+

ió – Kid Approved. Parent Trusted. Gut Happy.

Click here for more information about ió and check out our FAQ section (Usage & Storage) on the recommended intake for children.

A Simple (and Delicious) Way to Support Your Child’s Gut Health

While it’s always important to offer your kids a variety of nutrient-dense, high-fibre foods, many parents know that real life doesn’t always match the perfect plate.

Enter ió Gut Health Drink: a smart, science-backed way to help children (and grown-ups!) get more fibre and hydration in a way that actually fits into everyday life.

This prebiotic fibre-infused drink delivers real gut health benefits with zero compromise on taste or texture.

Get 15% off your ió order!

Why Parents & Kids Love ió Gut Health Drink:

✅ 6g of gentle prebiotic fibre per 500ml bottle

✅ Clinically approved to support proper gut function by increasing stool frequency

✅ No added sugar, no sweeteners, and no artificial ingredients

✅ Clear and light—no bits, just natural flavour (Lemon & Lime or Strawberry)

✅ Scientifically proven to boost healthy gut bacteria

✅ Winner of the World Food Innovation Award for Best Drink Innovation 2023

✅ Suitable from age 2+

Whether you’ve got a picky eater, a child with sensitive digestion, or you’re just trying to make small, consistent improvements in your family’s gut health, ió Gut Health Drink is an easy win.

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Further Guidance & Trusted Resources

If your child’s constipation doesn’t improve or is paired with symptoms like stomach pain, blood in the stool, or changes in appetite, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.

In addition to information and advice from the NHS and online, ERIC is the national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health. Their mission is to reduce the impact of continence problems on children and their families. You can visit their website here.

Final Thoughts: Gentle Change, Lifelong Impact

Constipation is far more common than many realise—but it doesn’t need to become chronic.

With the right tools: from fibre, hydration, and movement to toilet routines and natural gut support like ió Gut Health Drink, you can help your child feel better, build healthier habits, and avoid the long-term reliance on harsh solutions.

Small shifts today can make a huge difference in their lifelong health.

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(1) NHS Inform Scotland

(2) Overflow soiling 

(3) National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019

(4) Glasgow Caledonian University study found ió fibrewater increased healthy gut bacteria significantly