Can a child be constipated even without typical symptoms?
Yes, children become constipated over time. In most cases this happens by holding back the stool often because they’re too busy playing or having fun to go to the bathroom. The rectal area gets used to this and does not empty as it should. The more the child holds it in, the more the stool overloads the intestine. It is this “intestinal overload” that causes pain by “pressing” the intestines. This is known as stool(fecal)retention. Typically, the abdominal pain in children who are constipated may worsen after a meal. This is due to the “gastro-colic reflex”, which is a message from the stomach to the intestine telling it to get rid of the stool because more is coming down. So in response, the intestines will cramp down or contract, resulting in pain. What about babies? Babies have to learn to the pass stool and during the first few weeks they may grunt, seem fussy or even seem to be straining before passing a (usually normal) stool. Often this is a sign that they are learning to pass a
