Lifestyle changes to help minimize constipation can include eating more high fiber foods, decreasing constipating foods, increasing hydration and physical activity, and optimizing both toilet posture and bathroom schedules. When these changes don’t relieve a child’s symptoms, a healthcare professional may recommend laxative as an effective solution to ease discomfort and promote a bowel movement When selecting a laxative for your child, you want to look at how the laxative works as well as the form of delivery to find one that will be most effective and accepted by your child. In order to recommend the best laxatives for kids, our pediatric dietitian combed through the research, utilized her experience working as a pediatric dietitian, and consulted with trusted pediatric medical professionals.
Are Laxatives Beneficial for Kids?
With so many diet and lifestyle factors involved in helping kids poop, you might be wondering if laxatives for kids are really necessary. Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDN, dietitian for moms and owner of Sarah Gold Nutrition, LLC suggests constipation prevention and resolution should first be addressed without using a laxative. Start with serving your child a variety of fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, ensuring that they are well hydrated, and getting adequate exercise. When these approaches are not enough, a laxative can be beneficial to help move things along. Laxatives for kids may most benefit otherwise healthy children who need temporary relief. Typically, stool softeners and osmotic laxatives are the first-line medications used for treating short and long-term constipation in otherwise healthy children. “Laxatives should only be used when the child needs relief and other strategies known to help get things moving aren’t working,” says Anzlovar. Laxatives can be potentially dangerous for children and should only be used under guidance of a healthcare professional. Before you add a laxative to your child’s daily routine, be sure to get the OK from a healthcare provider.
Who May Not Benefit from Laxatives?
Laxatives for kids are generally safe when used as recommended, but they are not always the best choice. “Laxatives are essentially a bandaid…If you don’t address the underlying issue, it’s likely that the constipation will return,” says Anzlovar. Not all laxatives are intended for long term use, and some cause uncomfortable side effects like gas and bloating, so most health professionals recommend implementing lifestyle changes alongside starting a laxative to ensure bowel health. Those who may not benefit from laxatives include: Children who are able to regularly pass a bowel movement without pain: In this instance, it is likely you do not need a laxative to help your child poop. Making lifestyle changes like adding foods with fiber and proper hydration should be adequate to help keep bowel regularity or help with occasional constipation. Children under 6 months of age: Most laxatives are not recommended for children younger than six months. If your baby is under six months of age, and you notice it’s been longer than normal since the last bowel movement, contact a healthcare provider. Children with underlying health conditions: While laxatives for kids can be effective, they may mask the root issue causing constipation. Certain health conditions or medications could be the root cause of constipation in kids. In this instance, instead of using a laxative consistently, a healthcare provider can help determine the best treatment plan for any underlying issues.
Fletcher’s contains senna pod concentrate. This form of laxative is thought to be a more gentle alternative to senna leaf which has been used as constipation relief for centuries. It has been shown to be as effective for treating constipation in kids as polyethylene glycol—the main ingredient in Miralax. We love that the root beer flavor makes it an easy “yes” for most kids. Keep in mind that the maximum dosing is only two times per day. Senna-based laxatives are not known to cause any long term side effects, but your child may experience diarrhea or abdominal cramping when first starting out. Therefore, it may be best to start with a lower dose to check a child’s tolerance for this laxative. Price at time of publication: $5 ($0.28 per teaspoon serving) Psyllium is one of the most commonly recommended fibers for treating adult constipation. While it is known to be safe in children, more evidence is needed to solidify dosing recommendations. Psyllium may also be recommended from a healthcare professional for children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as some research has shown psyllium can help reduce abdominal pain associated with IBS. Always consult a healthcare professional before using a psyllium supplement so dosage, symptoms, and progress can be monitored. Like all fibers, psyllium husk can cause gas and bloating, especially when first starting. You can safely customize the dose of Yerba Prima’s psyllium to a child’s needs and tolerance. We recommend starting with a small dose (even below recommendation of 1 tsp) to minimize symptoms or as directed from a healthcare professional. This product is gluten free, dairy free, and soy free and can be easily mixed into a liquid to consume. It’s important to drink it right away, as it will quickly thicken after mixing which may make an unappealing texture. Lastly, note this is recommended for children 6 years and older. Do not give to children under 6 years unless directed from a healthcare professional. Price at time of publication: $15 ($0.07 per teaspoon serving) Mommy’s Bliss Baby Constipation Ease is vegan and free of artificial colors, flavors, common food allergens, and parabens. It is also NSF certified meaning it has been tested to ensure the product contains exactly what is listed on the label without potentially harmful contaminants. It’s important to note this choice is recommended for infants six months or older. If you want constipation help for infants younger than six months, consult a healthcare professional. Price at time of publication: $12 ($0.52 per teaspoon serving) While there has been some controversy with using PEG-based supplements like MiraLAX in kids, studies suggest it is an effective and safe treatment for functional constipation in kids one year and older. It is used for both short and, in some instances, long term use, and some research suggests it can have lower rates of side effects compared to other laxatives for kids. Despite current studies showing safety and because of controversy of using MiraLAX in kids, there is an ongoing clinical trial looking at the metabolites of PEG3350 in children who take this form of MiraLAX and children who do not take it. MiraLAX should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, and they will also be able to address any individual concerns. New York-based pediatrician Dr. Arunima Agarwal, MD says, “There are no scientific studies showing adverse events from MiraLAX in kids. I feel this product is safe for use in children with constipation.” She also suggests diet-based strategies—like increasing fiber and fluids—as a first line of defense for treating constipation. Agarwal says, “It’s important to discuss with a [healthcare professional] before using this supplement to make sure something else isn’t going on. I always monitor and follow-up with patients [who are taking MiraLax].” Under a healthcare professional’s guidance, MiraLAX is our top pick for picky eaters because it can be mixed completely into beverages without changing the taste or texture and needs to be taken only once a day. The major downside is that it can take up to two days to see results. Dr. Agarwal suggests an important note to remember with MiraLAX is it will not work if the child does not drink enough fluids while on this supplement. Price at time of publication: $17 ($1.70 per packet) Another plus for this supplement is that most kids won’t need more than one or two chews per day, and the fruity flavors can make them a good option for picky eaters. The thing that really makes Dulcolax Soft Chews shine, however, is the speed with which they can work. Many children will have a bowel movement within 30 to 120 minutes of taking a single tablet. Note that a full glass of water (or other liquid) needs to be taken with each dose. This product may not be recommended if a child is on prescription medication, has kidney health issues, or has nausea or vomiting. While Dulcolax Soft Chews are gluten-free, they do contain several additional ingredients you may want to consider, including corn syrup and artificial color Red #40. Also note Dulcolax does not mention any third-party testing for products. Price at time of publication: $8 ($0.53 per chew) On the other hand, using a suppository can be a turnoff for many families, and you will want to consult with a healthcare professional before using this product. If it is the recommended route for you, Pedia-Lax provides a kid-friendly lubricated tip with a mess-free applicator to make things as easy as possible. Children with disabilities, who withhold stool, or who are not able to or struggle to take things by mouth may especially benefit from using this type of laxative. Additionally, if a child has side effects from other laxatives, a healthcare professional may recommend this fast acting laxative option. Price at time of publication: $21 ($3.56 per suppository) Magnesium plays an important role in bone health, so this supplement may have an added bonus of providing this bone-building nutrient. A healthcare professional can provide further guidance if a child can take this gummy long-term or if it should be used to provide temporary constipation relief. We love that these gummies are tasty and easy to take–just one sugar-free hibiscus-flavored gummy is recommended for kids 2 years and older. Mary Ruth’s Kids Magnesium Calm Gummies are certified organic, vegan, non-GMO, and free of nuts, gluten, wheat, soy, corn, and sugar. The sweet flavor comes from stevia leaf and the sugar alcohol erythritol, and it is free from artificial colors. Mary Ruth’s products are third-party tested for accurate ingredient amounts, microbial contaminants, and heavy metals. Price at time of publication: $23 ($0.38 per serving) We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. It’s important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.
What to Look For:
Third-Party Testing
Supplements that are third-party tested are sent to a lab where they are tested to ensure they contain what they say they contain and are not contaminated with specific high-risk, common contaminants. However, it’s important to note:
Form
There are four main types of laxatives for kids: stool softeners, osmotic laxatives, lubricant laxatives, and stimulant laxatives. Stool softeners draw moisture into the stool, osmotic laxatives attract water in the intestines, lubricant laxatives coat the stool to make it more slippery and easier to pass, and stimulant laxatives stimulate the rectal muscles to push the stool out. Natalia Stasenko, MS, RD, founder of the Easy Bites app says, “Stool softeners and osmotic laxatives are usually preferred choices for many practitioners. Stimulant laxatives may cause dehydration, flatulence and cramping, so they are usually reserved for older children and extreme cases.” These various laxative types can take many forms including: powder, gummies, chews, liquid, or a suppository. A healthcare professional can help determine what the best laxative form is for each child based on their needs.
Ingredients & Potential Interactions
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications your child is taking. Certain laxatives are not recommended for some health conditions. For example, Stasenko says, “Some osmotic laxatives should be used carefully in children with kidney problems.” Alvarez notes that it may be helpful to “limit the amount of milk [your child] drinks, as too much cow’s milk can be constipating for some kids.” While milk is an important source of nutrients for many children, we recommend that they don’t drink more than 16 to 20 ounces per day.
