4 Tips to Improve Your Kids' Bathroom Health: Advice from a Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapist
4 Tips to Improve Your Kids' Bathroom Health: Advice from a Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapist
As a pediatric pelvic floor therapist (and mother to two littles), I’ve had the privilege of helping families address some common—but often overlooked—issues that affect bathroom health in kids. From potty training challenges to constipation, frequent accidents, or recurrent UTIs, there are many reasons parents might seek help. These issues can be frustrating, but the good news is that with the right strategies, most can be resolved or managed to ensure your child feels confident, comfortable, and in control when it comes to bathroom time. I offer personalized pediatric pelvic floor therapy services designed to address these challenges with a holistic, child-centered approach. Whether in-person sessions or virtual consultations, I’m here to support your family every step of the way.
Here are 4 tips to improve your child’s bathroom health:
1. Encourage Proper Posture on the Toilet
It may seem simple, but posture on the toilet plays a huge role in how effectively and comfortably your child can go. Good potty posture helps in allowing our pelvic floor muscles to fully relax. In order to “go”, the pelvic floor muscles have to “let go.” Many kids don't realize that sitting in the proper position can make a big difference. To ensure the best posture:
Have your child sit fully on the toilet with feet flat on the floor or a footstool (kids’ feet dangling can actually make it harder for them to relax and go). I personally love the squatty potty (both for adults and littles)
Encourage them to lean forward slightly with their forearms relaxed on their legs. Guide them through some deep breathing to encourage further relaxation (“smell the roses, now blow out your birthday candles nice and slow!”).
The goal is to make sure your child feels comfortable and supported while sitting, which can make going to the bathroom a lot less stressful and more effective.
Pro-tip: Keep some “bathroom bubbles” in a special place near the toilet. Bubbles are not only fun, but a great visual reminder on how to exhale slowly, thus relaxing the pelvic floor.
Research highlights that proper posture is crucial for effective defecation. A study on “Toilet Posture and the Pelvic Floor" explains that a squatting position (similar to using a Squatty Potty) can promote more effective bowel movements by improving rectal angle and reducing strain.
Sakakibara,R., & Tsunoyama, K. (2010). Influence of Body Position on Defecation in Humans. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228504408_Influence_of_Body_Position_on_Defecation_in_Humans
2. Focus on Hydration and Diet
One of the most common bathroom health issues I see is constipation. When a child comes to see me with incontinence (fecal or bowel), one of the first things I investigate is constipation as the cause. Did you know, if you notice fecal smearing in your child’s underwear almost daily, there is a very large chance that constipation is the culprit? A well-balanced diet and staying hydrated are key to preventing minimizing constipation. Foods rich in fiber—like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—can help keep things moving smoothly in the digestive system.
Just as importantly, it is crucial to encourage water intake! I love encouraging my kids to sip on their water throughout the day versus waiting until the end of the day to chug it down (which I commonly see with my school-aged kids). Proper hydration is just as important as fiber in keeping stool soft and easy to pass. Try to avoid excessive sugary drinks (like juice or soda), which can sometimes contribute to digestive issues. If your little one loves juice, try diluting it with water.
Diet and hydration are well-documented in preventing constipation. As stated above, research shows that increased fiber intake and sufficient hydration help maintain healthy bowel movements and minimize constipation. A study published in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition explores how dietary fiber and water intake are effective in managing constipation in children.
Axelrod CH, Saps M. The Role of Fiber in the Treatment of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children. Nutrients. 2018 Nov 3;10(11):1650. doi: 10.3390/nu10111650. PMID: 30400292; PMCID: PMC6267171.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30400292/
3. Create a Relaxed Bathroom Routine
A little bathroom anxiety can go a long way in creating discomfort or even accidents. Establishing a relaxed, predictable routine around bathroom time can help ease any stress. This includes:
Giving your child plenty of time and privacy to go.
Encouraging them to use the toilet at regular intervals throughout the day (such as after meals or before leaving the house) to avoid urgency or accidents.
Keeping a calm and supportive attitude during bathroom times—avoid pressuring them, which can increase anxiety and lead to difficulties.
If your child sits on the toilet, and doesn’t end up going, keep it positive! “I love how you sat on the potty just now, even though nothing came out! Seems like your body just isn’t ready, so let’s try again later!”
A relaxed, pressure-free environment can help your child feel more in control of their body and less stressed about using the bathroom.
4. Check for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
If your child struggles with frequent accidents (urinary or fecal incontinence beyond the age of 4), chronic constipation, or seems to have difficulty passing stool, there may be underlying pelvic floor issues that are interfering with normal bathroom function. The pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in bladder and bowel control, and if they're not functioning properly, it can cause discomfort or accidents.
A pediatric pelvic floor occupational therapist can help identify whether there are any muscle imbalances, compensatory patterns, tension, or coordination issues, while addressing the psycho-social concerns often present in children with bowel/bladder conditions. Sometimes children need guidance on how to relax their pelvic floor muscles or strengthen them for better bladder and bowel control. Pelvic floor therapy is a non-invasive and effective treatment that can address these concerns and restore bathroom health for your child.
Bocchini, Renato & Chiarioni, Giuseppe & Corazziari, Enrico & Pucciani, Filippo & Torresan, Francesco & Alduini, P. & Bassotti, Gabrio & Battaglia, E. & Ferrarini, F. & Galeazzi, Francesca & Londoni, C. & Rossitti, P. & Usai-Satta, Paolo & Iona, L. & Marchi, S. & Milazzo, G. & Altomare, Donato & Barbera, R. & Bove, A. & Bellini, Massimo. (2019). Pelvic floor rehabilitation for defecation disorders. Techniques in Coloproctology. 23. 10.1007/s10151-018-1921-z.
Addressing your child's bathroom health isn't just about solving immediate issues—it's about setting them up for lifelong comfort and confidence. Many adults that we see in clinic had GI difficulties as children… it just went unaddressed. As a pediatric pelvic floor therapist, I've seen firsthand how small changes in posture, diet, & routine can make a huge difference.
When your child feels comfortable and empowered during bathroom time, it helps not just their physical health but their emotional and social well-being as well. By paying attention to these details and seeking professional guidance if needed, you can help ensure your child has a positive, healthy relationship with their body and bathroom routines. If you have concerns about your child's bathroom habits, don't hesitate to reach out for support. Together, we can create an individualized approach that works best for your child, allowing them to thrive.
Need Help? Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation
If you’re noticing any of these signs in your child—whether it’s potty training challenges, constipation, accidents, or even difficulty wiping—it might be time to consider pelvic floor therapy. As a pediatric pelvic floor therapist, I work with children and their families to create individualized treatment plans that address specific concerns and help children feel more comfortable and confident in their bathroom routines. I offer in person sessions for clients in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill areas.
If you're not sure whether pediatric pelvic floor therapy is the right choice for your child, I’d be happy to chat. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help parents get more information and see if this would be a good fit. During this call, we’ll discuss your child’s specific needs and challenges, and I’ll provide some insight into how pelvic floor therapy can help.
Feel free to reach out and schedule your consultation today—because every child deserves to feel good about their bathroom health.
