Children 1 to 4 years of age typically have a bowel movement once or twice a day, and over 90% go at least every other day. However, children that go every other day may be constipated. When children are constipated for a long time they may begin to soil their underwear. It is important to know that this fecal soiling is involuntary, and the child has no control over it. Constipation is very common in children of all ages, especially during potty-training and in school-aged children. Of all visits to the pediatrician, 3% are in some way related to constipation. At least 25% of visits to a pediatric gastroenterologist are due to problems with constipation.   Millions of prescriptions are written every year for laxatives and stool softeners. (gikids.org)

Constipation (Click here for PDF)