Constipation is one of the most common — but often overlooked — health issues affecting children.
It’s far more than just an occasional tummy ache or skipped bowel movement.
For many kids, especially those who are neurodivergent or have hypermobility, constipation can cause daily pain, impact behaviour, disrupt sleep, and even affect emotional wellbeing.
At Continence Hub, constipation is the number one reason families reach out for help.
And once you understand how deeply it can affect a child’s life, it’s easy to see why getting support early can make all the difference.
That is why support matters.
At Perth Kids Hub, we connect families with trusted child health and development services across Perth and Western Australia.
One provider helping local families navigate toileting challenges is The Continence Hub, a Perth-based service supporting children with constipation, toileting difficulties, bedwetting, and other continence concerns.
This guide explains what constipation can look like in children, why it is important to act early, and how families in Perth can access practical support.
What constipation in children really means
Constipation is not just about how often a child does a poo.
A child can be constipated even if they are still opening their bowels regularly. What matters is the full picture.
Signs of constipation can include:
- Passing stools less than every second day, or more than three times per day
- Hard, dry or painful bowel movements
- Straining during bowel movements
- Avoiding the toilet altogether
- Soiling or “accidents” due to overflow leakage (often appearing like loose stools)
For some children, constipation builds slowly. Parents may not realise how backed up their child is until bigger problems appear.
That is one reason constipation is often missed.
Constipation can become a vicious cycle: painful poos make children fearful of going to the toilet, which leads them to hold on even longer, stretching the rectum and worsening the problem.
Why constipation matters more than many people realise
When a child is constipated, the effects can show up far beyond the bathroom.
A full bowel can cause discomfort throughout the day. Some children become unsettled at school. Some stop eating as well. Others begin to dread toileting because it hurts, which leads them to hold on even more.
This can create a difficult cycle.
A painful poo leads to fear. Fear leads to holding. Holding leads to larger, harder stools. Then the next toilet trip is even harder.
Over time, untreated constipation may contribute to:
- Ongoing abdominal pain
- Reduced appetite
- Soiling accidents
- Urinary issues
- Anxiety around using the toilet
- Low confidence
- Difficulty joining in at school, sport, or social activities
For parents, it can be exhausting. You may feel like you are constantly managing accidents, negotiating toilet trips, or trying to work out whether behaviour changes are emotional, developmental, or physical.
Often, it is a mix of all three.
Signs Perth parents should look out for
Constipation does not always look obvious. Some children will clearly say their tummy hurts. Others show it through behaviour.
Some clues to watch for include:
- Complaints of tummy pain, especially before or after meals
- Fidgeting, squatting, or “holding” behaviours (such as crossing legs, laying on tummy, sitting on heel)
- Changes in appetite
- Irritability or emotional outbursts
- Wetting accidents or increased urinary frequency
- Avoiding using the toilet at home, school or out in public
- Hard, cracked stools or very large poos that block the toilet
- Poo accidents
- Vomiting
- Bloating
Sometimes, the symptoms aren’t obvious — especially in young children or those with communication difficulties.
They might not be able to explain their discomfort clearly, so behaviours like meltdowns, sleep disturbances, or food refusal can be mistaken for “bad behaviour” rather than a sign of physical distress.
Why some children are more vulnerable to constipation
Some children are more likely to experience ongoing constipation, especially when other developmental or physical factors are involved.
Children who are neurodivergent, including autistic children and children with ADHD or PDA profiles, may face extra toileting challenges.
These can include:
- Sensory sensitivities to smells, sounds, lights, or the feel of the toilet seat
- Difficulty noticing internal body cues such as needing to poo
- Anxiety around unfamiliar bathrooms
- Rigid routines or strong preferences about where they will use the toilet
- Demand avoidance when toileting feels pressured
Children with hypermobility may also be more affected.
Hypermobility can influence gut motility, posture, muscle control, and how comfortable it feels to sit and push effectively on the toilet.
This matters because the right support plan is rarely one size fits all.
Spotlight on the Continence Hub
The Continence Hub supports children and families with continence issues in Perth and online. Their work includes help with constipation, toileting difficulties, bedwetting, and bladder and bowel concerns.
What stands out about The Continence Hub is its practical, family-friendly approach.
Their support is designed to be:
- Body-positive
- Child-centred
- Sensitive to developmental differences
- Realistic for everyday family life
That can be a relief for parents who have already tried sticker charts, reminders, or toilet routines that did not work.
Rather than focusing only on accidents or how often a child goes, The Continence Hub looks at the bigger picture. That includes body awareness, toileting habits, sensory needs, posture, behaviour, and family routines.
For many Perth families, that whole-child approach can make the path forward feel more manageable.
How the Continence Hub helps children with constipation
Constipation support may involve a range of strategies depending on the child.
The Continence Hub may help families with:
- Education about how the bowel works
- Support to build awareness of body signals
- Gentle toilet routines based on the child’s natural pattern
- Advice on toilet posture and positioning
- Sensory-friendly bathroom adjustments
- Collaboration with GPs, specialists, or allied health professionals
- Practical strategies that fit home and school life
The service also offers a supportive approach for children who are anxious, resistant, embarrassed, or overwhelmed by toileting.
This matters because shame rarely helps. Understanding does.
What parents can do at home
If you are concerned your child may be constipated, early action is important.
Here are some simple first steps for parents:
- Notice patterns rather than single incidents
- Keep a brief record of bowel movements, pain, accidents, and holding behaviours
- Watch for changes in appetite, sleep, mood, or wee habits
- Create calm, low-pressure toilet opportunities
- Make sure your child’s feet are supported when sitting on the toilet
- Speak with your GP if symptoms are ongoing, severe, or affecting daily life
- Seek specialist continence support if the problem is persistent or complex
It is important not to blame your child.
Children rarely choose constipation. More often, they are caught in a cycle they do not know how to stop.
A reassuring note for parents
Many parents feel guilty when toileting problems drag on.
You may wonder if you missed something. You may feel frustrated that nothing seems to work. You may worry that your child is falling behind.
Please know this.
Constipation is common. It is treatable. And asking for help is a positive step.
Families often feel enormous relief when they finally understand what is driving their child’s discomfort. Once the right support is in place, children can become more comfortable, more settled, and more confident.
Finding continence support in Perth
If you are searching for help with childhood constipation in Perth, Perth Kids Hub can help you find local providers who understand the challenges families face.
The Continence Hub is one of the directory services supporting children with bowel and bladder concerns in Perth and online.
Perth Kids Hub is a directory, not a medical practice. We do not provide medical advice, accept referrals, or deliver treatment. Our goal is to make it easier for families across Perth and Western Australia to discover trusted services and take the next step with confidence.
Final thoughts
Constipation in children can affect far more than digestion.
It can shape behaviour, sleep, confidence, school participation, and family stress. The good news is that support is available, and families do not have to work it out alone.
If your child is showing signs of constipation, early support can make a real difference.
Explore the Perth Kids Hub directory to learn more about The Continence Hub in Perth and other child health and development services that support local families.
Continence Hub
You don’t need a referral to access support at Continence Hub.
📍 We offer online and in-person services across Perth and beyond.
🌐 Visit www.continencehub.com to learn more or complete a quick intake form.
📲 Follow us @continencehub for practical tips, myth-busting facts, and encouragement.
Every child deserves to feel comfortable and confident—and a healthy bowel is a big part of that story.
Useful resources
References
Coe, A., Ciricillo, J., Mansi, S., El‐Chammas, K., Santucci, N., Bali, N., Lu, P. L., Damrongmanee, A., Fei, L., Liu, C., Kaul, A., & Williams, K. C. (2023). Evaluation of Chronic Constipation in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 76(2), 154–159.
Wang, H., Liu, S., Xie, L., & Wang, J. (2023). Gut microbiota signature in children with autism spectrum disorder who suffered from chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. BMC Pediatrics, 23(1), 476–10.
Chogle, A., Wong, G., & Megerian, J. T. (2024). Constipation in Children with Autism: A Comprehensive Review. Current Treatment Options in Pediatrics, 10(4), 287–294.
Sood, V., Kaul, A., El‐Chammas, K. I., Mukkada, V. A., Sun, Q., Fei, L., & Santucci, N. R. (2024). High prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders in a large cohort of patients with joint hypermobility. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 79(1), 42–47.
