Key takeaways:
Laxatives are medications that can help treat constipation in kids. They’re used when natural remedies, like water and fiber, aren’t enough.
There are several different types of over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives that are safe for children. Polyethylene glycol 3350 (Miralax) is the first-choice treatment for constipation in kids.
Laxatives provide temporary constipation relief but shouldn’t be used long term. Talk with your child’s healthcare team before trying an OTC laxative. They can help you choose the right one for your child.
Constipation is common in children. In fact, it’s the reason for up to 5% of office visits and a common reason children see gastroenterology specialists.
Most of the time, constipation is temporary and not a sign of a medical problem. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to treat. Long-term constipation treatment includes changing diet routines and toilet habits, which isn’t always easy for kids. And these changes can take a while to show results.
In the meantime, your child may need help from laxatives to get relief. Laxatives are medications that can help treat constipation in the short term. They work by either softening the stool or stimulating a bowel movement.
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Keep in mind, we won’t be covering constipation in babies. Talk with your healthcare team if you think your baby might be constipated. Babies have different stooling patterns and need different treatments than older kids and toddlers.
What does constipation look like in kids?
Children can’t always tell you they feel constipated. You can tell your child is constipated by looking at their stool and paying attention to their usual bowel patterns. Signs your child may be constipated include:
Stooling less often
Smaller stools
Taking longer to stool
Pebbly or hard stools
Straining to stool
Pain with stooling
Avoiding stooling or toilet time
Stomach pain or bloating
Normal stooling depends on the age of your child and differs from child to child, too. Some children can poop as often as 3 times a day or as few as 3 times a week. So it’s important to pay attention to your own child’s routine. If it’s not matching up with their usual pattern, it could be a sign they are constipated.
What are the best natural laxatives for kids?
The term natural laxatives can be a bit misleading. There aren’t any “natural” medications that can treat constipation. But there are natural constipation remedies that can treat constipation and keep it from coming back.
Water
Your child needs to drink enough water each day to keep their stools soft. Otherwise, stools harden and are more difficult to pass. How much water your child needs will vary by age.
Here’s the suggested daily water intake for children by age:
6 to 12 months: 4 oz to 8 oz
1 to 3 years: about 4 cups
4 to 8 years: about 5 cups
8 years and older: about 8 cups
Make sure your child gets enough water each day. This may be enough to treat their constipation and keep them regular.
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Fiber
Fiber creates larger and softer stools. Your child should eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day to get the recommended daily amount of fiber. A quick way to estimate a child’s daily fiber needs is to add 5 to their age in years. So, for example, if your child is 5 years old, they should have 10 g of fiber per day. Aim for them to have that number in grams of fiber per day.
Excellent sources of fiber have 5 g or more in each serving. For example, this would be about ½ cup peas, 1 cup of carrots, or 1 large pear. Other good sources of fiber include:
Vegetables (like leafy greens, broccoli, beets, and asparagus)
Fruits or fruit purees (like apples, apricots, melons, and prunes)
Nuts
Whole-grain foods (like bread and cereal)
Which OTC laxatives are safe for kids?
Over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives are FDA approved to treat adults with constipation. But they are used off-label to treat children (and toddlers) with constipation.
Laxatives are not meant to be used long term. But they can provide quick relief during a constipation episode. This can make your child more comfortable and more willing to try new toileting habits.
Talk with your child’s healthcare team before trying OTC laxatives. OTC laxatives can be safe and effective for kids but only if used correctly. Your child’s healthcare team can help you choose the best option for your child. Here are six OTC laxatives your team may recommend.
1. Osmotic laxatives
Osmotic laxatives draw water into the stool to help it move through the colon quicker.
Polyethylene glycol 3350 (Miralax) is the most commonly used osmotic laxative. It’s considered a first-choice laxative for children. Miralax must be taken daily to be effective. It usually takes about 1 to 2 days to see results. Children as young as 6 months old can take Miralax.
Lactulose is a prescription-only osmotic laxative. It’s less effective than Miralax but can be a good choice when Miralax isn’t available. Lactulose is safe for all ages, and it can be used in infants younger than 6 months.
2. Bulking agents
Bulking agents are fiber supplements. They work by adding more water to the stool. This helps kids have larger and softer stools that are easier to pass. These products are safe to use daily, and it can take up to several days to provide relief. Examples of bulking agents include:
Psyllium (Metamucil)
Calcium polycarbophil (Fibercon)
Methylcellulose (Citrucel)
Fiber supplements can be difficult for children to take and can cause bloating and stomach pain. They are a better choice for older children.
3. Stool softeners
Stool softeners raise the amount of water and fat in the stool. This softens the stool and makes it easier to pass. These laxatives can take 12 to 72 hours to have an effect. Stool softeners that are safe for kids include docusate (Colace). Docusate can be safe for children over 2 years old.
4. Stimulant laxatives
Stimulants make the intestines move, which pushes stool through them faster. These usually take effect within 6 to 8 hours. Stimulant laxatives include medications like senna (Senokot) and bisacodyl (Dulcolax). Stimulant laxatives can be safe for children over 6 years old.
5. Lubricants
Lubricants help poop slide out easier. You can give your child a lubricant by mouth or place it in the rectum. It may take about 1 to 2 days to see its effect. The most commonly used lubricant is mineral oil. It can be safe for children older than 3 years.
6. Suppositories and enemas
Suppositories and enemas are placed in the rectum and help stimulate a bowel movement. They take effect within minutes. Like all OTC laxatives, they aren’t meant for long-term use, but they can be an important part of initial constipation treatment. There are laxatives and enemas that are safe for babies, toddlers, and children of all ages. Your child’s healthcare team can provide you with the best brand and dose based on your child’s weight and medical history.
What are the side effects of laxatives in kids?
Like all medications, OTC laxatives can cause side effects. Some common side effects kids can experience while taking laxatives include:
Bloating
Cramping
Nausea
Gas
Abdominal pain
Worsening constipation when not taken with enough water (bulking agents)
Diarrhea (osmotic laxatives)
Rectal discomfort (enemas or suppositories)
There have been some concerns that osmotic laxatives, like Miralax, could be linked to behavioral changes in kids who use them. But the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition reports that there’s no evidence to support these claims. Experts still recommend their use in children, although research is ongoing.
Are laxatives for kids unsafe?
OTC laxatives can be safe for kids if used correctly. It’s important to check with your child’s healthcare team before trying an OTC laxative. They can make sure the laxative is safe for your child. Children with certain medical problems shouldn’t take laxatives.
Your team can also offer advice on the best dose for your child’s weight and the best way to use the laxative. Laxatives can cause side effects and sometimes worsen constipation. These things can make it harder to get your child to participate in long-term treatments like toilet retraining. They may also refuse to take laxatives in the future if they’ve learned to associate laxatives with pain and discomfort. So it’s important to use these tools wisely. Your child’s healthcare team can partner with you so you get the best results.
When should you get medical care for constipation in kids?
Getting your child back on track takes time and it isn’t always easy. But constipation is rarely a sign of a serious medical condition. And most children will not get seriously sick or have complications from constipation. But there are times when you should get immediate medical care if your child has constipation.
Get medical help right away if your child has:
Bloody stools
Poor growth
Swollen belly
Fever
Vomiting
You should call your child’s healthcare team if they recommend OTC laxatives, but the laxatives don’t produce a bowel movement. You should get care if your child started a long-term constipation treatment plan and you haven’t seen any improvement after 2 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Water and fiber from foods are the best stool softeners for kids. They are safe, natural, and effective. They provide the best and safest long-term constipation relief.
Docusate sodium (Colace) can cause side effects like vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. Docusate sodium can offer short-term constipation relief for older children. You should talk with your child’s healthcare team before giving it to your child.
Most children older than 4 years poop between 3 and 7 times per week. Younger children tend to poop more often. Children can go up to 4 or 5 days without pooping but will usually have pain or discomfort when they finally pass stool. Talk with your child’s healthcare team if your child poops fewer than 3 times per week or has pain or discomfort when stooling.
Call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222 if your child takes too many laxatives. They can tell you if your child needs immediate medical attention or if you can watch your child at home. Don’t wait to see if your child develops any symptoms. The safest thing to do is talk to Poison Control as soon as possible.
Water and fiber from foods are the best stool softeners for kids. They are safe, natural, and effective. They provide the best and safest long-term constipation relief.
Docusate sodium (Colace) can cause side effects like vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. Docusate sodium can offer short-term constipation relief for older children. You should talk with your child’s healthcare team before giving it to your child.
Most children older than 4 years poop between 3 and 7 times per week. Younger children tend to poop more often. Children can go up to 4 or 5 days without pooping but will usually have pain or discomfort when they finally pass stool. Talk with your child’s healthcare team if your child poops fewer than 3 times per week or has pain or discomfort when stooling.
Call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222 if your child takes too many laxatives. They can tell you if your child needs immediate medical attention or if you can watch your child at home. Don’t wait to see if your child develops any symptoms. The safest thing to do is talk to Poison Control as soon as possible.
The bottom line
Constipation is a common childhood problem. OTC laxatives can provide short-term constipation relief for kids. Talk with your child’s healthcare team before trying any OTC laxatives. They can help you choose the safest option for your child.
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References
American College of Gastroenterology. (n.d.). Constipation in children.
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings (US) LLC. (2024). Citrucel- methylcellulose powder, for solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Healthychildren.org. (2013). Kids need fiber: Here’s why and how.
Koppen, I. J. N., et al. (2015). Management of functional constipation in children: Therapy in practice. Pediatric Drugs.
Levy, D., et al. (2005). Know thy laxatives: A parent’s guide to the successful management of chronic functional constipation in infants and children. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. (n.d.). FDA regulations.
Philichi, L. (2018). Management of childhood functional constipation. Journal of Pediatric Health Care.
Reeves, P. T., et al. (2024). Constipation in children.
Rethy, J. (2020). Choose water for healthy hydration.
Seattle Children’s. (2025). Constipation.
