Constipation Management: Adequate fluid intake

Along with an adequate fiber intake, ensuring an adequate intake of fluid is part of constipation prevention and management. Fiber absorbs water, which helps produce a soft stool that moves easily through the intestine. When stool is hard and dry, more water may be needed.

Some practical ways to increase a child’s fluid intake:

• Add liquid snacks between meals
• Increase intake of foods with high water content (for example, fruits and vegetables are about 90% water…and are also high in fiber)
• For the child who cannot safely swallow thin liquids, try: juices thickened with pureed fruit, infant cereal, or a commercial food thickener
• Fruit juices, because of fructose and sorbitol contents, are sometimes useful as stool softeners.

How much fluid?

Healthy Infants

• 1.5 mL/kcal/day for healthy infants
  or
• 80 to 120 mL/kg/day (for infants up to 10 kg)

Healthy Children

• 80 to 120 mL/kg/day (for children up to 10 kg)
  1000 mL/day + 50 mL/kg above 10 kg (for children 10-20 kg)
  1500 mL/day + 20 mL/kg above 20 kg (for children over 20 kg)
  or
• 50 to 60 mL/kg/day

Some children with special health care needs may have fluid needs that are greater than the above recommendations.