Constipation is diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria, which states that constipation can cause less than three bowel movements weekly, bowel movements that are dry, hard, or painful to pass, and fetal incontinence.^3,4 Constipation can also cause bloody stools, stomach pain, and decreased quality of life.^3-6 

Constipation can occur for a variety of reasons, but up to 95% of the time constipation is in response to too little fluid intake, not enough insoluble fiber, toilet training issues, changes in routine, excessive consumption of dairy, or not enough physical activity or movement^.3,4 Constipation can also be a side effect from a medication or other medical conditions.⁴ In infants, poor feeding can also result in dehydration and constipation.

Regardless of the reason, constipation is not fun for your little one! It can even start to impact their health and nutrition, causing issues with weight, growth, and overall well-being. This is why it is so important to figure out why your child’s constipation is occurring in the first place and make sure you are working with your child’s healthcare team to make them more regular in the bathroom.

The first-line treatment for constipation is to make sure that your little one is getting enough insoluble fiber and enough water.⁴ Insoluble fiber, such as the fiber found in whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruit, works to add bulk to the stool causing stool to pass quicker through the intestines.

However, most children do not get enough fiber naturally in their diet.^7-9 In fact, less than 1% of toddlers in the U.S. were found to meet their daily dietary fiber needs, according to NHANES 2009-2012.⁷ The number of preschoolers getting enough dietary fiber was found to be only marginally better with only 9% of preschoolers getting enough dietary fiber daily, according to FITS 2016.⁸

The Institute of Medicine recommends that toddlers (1-3 years old) consume 19 grams of fiber daily, while preschoolers (4-8 years old) consume 25 grams of fiber daily.⁹ Infants under 6 months of age do not need to consume any fiber. However, as they start to eat solid foods, they will continue to work up to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ fiber recommendation of 6 grams of fiber by age 1.⁸

It is important that you work to increase your child’s fiber intake gradually. This will help prevent gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort, which can occur from increasing fiber too quickly. It is also important to make sure your child is getting enough water. In fact, increasing your child’s fiber without ensuring they are getting enough water can actually make constipation worse! A good rule of thumb is that children up to age 5 years should drink 1 cup of water daily for every year old they are.

At Tiny Sprouts Foods, we understand that constipation is a challenge for many kids and know how important fiber is for relieving constipation and achieving overall health and well-being. This is why we have specifically developed a daily Organic Digestion Booster to help kids get a fiber boost in order to keep them regular. We hope that our digestion booster will help make it easier for kids to meet their daily needs of fiber. In fact, just one serving of Tiny Sprouts Foods’ Organic Digestion Booster provides toddlers with 21% of their daily fiber needs!

The fiber in our digestion booster comes from flaxseeds, chia seeds, and apple powder providing kids (and adults) with a natural source of dietary fiber. The apple powder also contains sorbitol which is water-soluble compound naturally found in some fruits. It acts as a laxative by drawing water into the colon promoting bowel movements. And finally, our digestion booster also contains probiotics as an additional bonus to boost your family’s overall digestive health.