What to Do If Your Kid’s Still Constipated After Starting Prebiotics

When Relief Doesn’t Happen Right Away

You’ve started a daily prebiotic likeGrowing Up Prebiotics, you’ve been consistent, and you’re doing all the right things but your kiddo isstill constipated. It’s frustrating, we get it. While prebiotics are a powerful, science-backed way to support digestion and gut health, sometimes constipation is more complex.

The good news? There are additional steps you can take to support your little one’s gut and help get things moving.

Step 1: Check Your Timeline (and Stick With It)

Prebiotics aren’t a quick-fix. They feed beneficial gut bacteria, which take time to grow and rebalance the microbiome. In theClosa-Monasterolo et al. study, kids taking chicory root inulin (like what’s found inGrowing Up Prebiotics) showedgradual improvements over 6 weeks—not overnight [1].

If it’s only been a week or two, keep going. It can take several weeks of daily use before the gut starts responding fully. In the meantime, use these next steps to help support the process.

Step 2: Increase Water Intake

Fiber needsfluid to work. If your kiddo’s prebiotic intake has gone up, but their water intake hasn’t, stool can still be dry and difficult to pass.

Aim for:

• Water at every meal and snack

• Diluted fruit juice (like pear or prune) if needed

• Water-rich foods (e.g., oranges, cucumbers, smoothies)

A helpful tip: if your kiddo is old enough, encourage them to take a few sips of waterafter consuming their prebiotic dose to help the fiber do its job.

Step 3: Add Natural Motility Boosters

If prebiotics alone aren’t doing the trick, try incorporating foods that naturally support gut motility:

• Prunes or prune puree

• Kiwi (shown to support stool consistency in adults and increasingly used in kids)

• Chia pudding or ground flaxseed

• Olive oil or avocado (healthy fats help move stool along)

• Magnesium-rich foods like spinach, beans, and bananas

These foods can complement the gentle, ongoing effects of prebiotics and encourage more immediate motility.

Step 4: Rule Out Withholding

Sometimes constipation isn’t about the gut—it’s about behavior. Kiddos may withhold poop due to:

• A past painful bowel movement

• Busy or distracting environments (like school or daycare)

• Fear of using unfamiliar toilets

If your kiddo is showing signs of withholding—crossing legs, hiding, dancing around, or avoiding the toilet—you may need to address the root cause. A warm bath, stool softeners (if prescribed), or rewards-based potty routines can help break the cycle.

Step 5: Consider Magnesium Supplementation

If your little one continues to struggle despite daily prebiotics, talk to your pediatrician about adding magnesium citrate or a kid-safe magnesium supplement. Magnesium draws water into the bowel and helps relax the intestinal muscles—often used alongside fiber for synergistic effect [2].

Some families benefit from combining magnesium withGrowing Up Prebiotics to address both the functional and microbial aspects of constipation.

Step 6: Reassess the Bigger Picture

Chronic constipation may have multiple contributing factors:

• Low overall fiber intake

• Low physical activity

• Food sensitivities

• History of antibiotics or C-section delivery

• Gut-brain dynamics (e.g., anxiety, sensory issues)

If constipation persists even after prebiotics, hydration, and diet changes, a pediatrician or pediatric GI may want to evaluate for underlying causes like functional constipation, slow transit time, or pelvic floor issues.

Summary

If your kid is still constipated after starting prebiotics, don’t give up—consistency, hydration, and a few key additionscan help unlock results. Most prebiotics, including those inGrowing Up Prebiotics, show their full effects by 6 weeks. In the meantime, boost fluids, incorporate natural motility foods, and consider layering in magnesium or behavioral support to help your kiddo feel more comfortable and regular.