Did you know constipation can lead to urinary accidents?
Potty training accidents are a fact of life. It’s part of the learning process for children. However, if parents are concerned that accidents are occurring frequently despite following the standard recommendations, it may be time to speak with your pediatrician. Your pediatrician may bring up constipation as a cause of accidents. Typically, making sure the child is getting enough fiber in their diet is one of the first recommendations (in addition to plenty of water). This sounds easy at first, but children need up to 20-24 grams of fiber a day. Below we take a look at what the research says and why fiber is important.
According to an article from the Children’s Hospitals of Los Angeles, “A colon full of poop can put pressure on the bladder and lead to potty accidents”. Source: CH1. Further, it can be tough for kids to distinguish signals from their body whether they need to pee or poop. Constipation isn’t necessarily obvious either. Parents and kids may miss the signs of constipation. For more info on the implications of constipation and potty accidents click here.
Kids and Constipation
Consider the statistics about constipation and why talking to a pediatrician may be beneficial.
- 9 out of 10 children do not receive their recommended fiber intake. source (1.NHIL)
- Children on average receive only 50% of their daily fiber intake. source (1.NHIL)
- Inadequate fiber intake contributes to constipation in children in addition to other health problems (1. NHIL)
- Constipation can lead to potty training issues. source (2. VW)
Research and pediatricians agree that increasing fiber intake and water is a good way to help children develop regular bowel movements. Most children only receive 50% of their daily fiber intake. (1. NHIL) Over the course of a week a child may be receiving 63 grams of fiber under the recommended intake. That leads to a loss of 3,276 grams of fiber a year. Unfortunately, this is a function of society and western diet habits (1. NHIL). In a society that makes it increasingly difficult to sit down for a homemade meal, it is hard to find high nutritional meals on a regular basis in fast foods or processed foods. Parents also understand that often, kids don’t make it easy to provide well-balanced meals. Picky eaters, vegetables and grains thrown on the floor by the stubborn three year old, frustration and tears- it can be a regular evening for the parents of young children. Whether potty training, treating constipation, or looking to add fiber to your child’s diet, HyFiber for Kids is a safe and effective product.
HyFiber for Kids
HyFiber for Kids is a liquid soluble fiber that also contains healthy prebiotics. HyFiber for Kids is classified as a medical food by the FDA. This means that dosing, effectiveness and safety falls under guidelines supported by the FDA. Most other fiber and probiotic products available are classified as “supplements” and are not regulated as closely. HyFiber for Kids is also not a stimulant or laxative, does not contain chemicals such as PEGs, and is not habit-forming. Six grams of soluble fiber is provided in one tablespoon with no messy mixes or powders in large amounts of water to manage. Most children love the mild orange flavor without added sugars. HyFiber for Kids can be taken on it’s own, and can also easily be added to drinks or foods. When increasing fiber into a child’s diet, start with the recommended dose of one tablespoon or 6 grams of fiber. Children may be able to tolerate up to 12 grams or 2 tablespoons of fiber. Hyfiber for Kids provides gentle relief and can be used to help promote regular bowel movements and it is not a stimulant or laxative. Whether you child takes HyFiber for Kids directly or with their favorite food or beverage, this should be given consistently to have the biggest impact. Remember to discuss starting Hyfiber for Kids with your pediatrician, as it is always important to keep your doctors informed of any changes in bowel or bladder habits.
Ready to give it a try?

Sources
- CH1. RN Remedies by Nicole Freedman, Children’s Hospitals Los Angels https://www.chla.org/blog/rn-remedies/make-daytime-wetting-thing-the-past#:~:text=A%20colon%20full%20of%20poop,significantly%20just%20by%20fixing%20constipation
- 1.NHIL World J Gastroenterol. 2016 Aug 14; 22(30): 6864–6875.Published online 2016 Aug 14. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i30.6864
- 1.1.NHIL (more on the same topic)Adv Nutr. 2012 Jan; 3(1): 47–53.Published online 2012 Jan 5. doi: 10.3945/an.111.001362
- 2.VW https://www.verywellfamily.com/potty-training-problems-not-pooping-on-the-potty-2634549
- 3.Pull – https://www.pull-ups.com/en-us/potty-training/regression/the-potty-training-enemy-everything-you-need-to-know-about-constipation#:~:text=Constipation%20is%20a%20little%2Dknown,it%20also%20complicates%20potty%20training.