Your toddler pooping 5 times a day can be normal, but it can also be a sign of "toddler's diarrhea" if the stools are loose or watery.
Toddlers diarrhea is a common condition, especially when the toddler is between the ages of 1 and 3 years old.
Toddler's diarrhea involves passing multiple of 4 or more loose or watery stools a day and often without any other symptoms.
The toddlers diarrhea often goes away on it's own by the time the child begins school.
Other causes of a toddler pooping 5 times day include a high intake of sugary drinks, fruit juices or certain high fiber foods.
Limit the amount of fruit juice to 5 ounces or less per day as well as sugar drinks and increase the toddlers fat intake with some whole milk, butter or olive oil and ensure the toddler has a balance of fiber intake from fruits, whole grains and vegetables.
As long as the poop is not watery or not diarrhea, then it's usually nothing to worry about if the toddler is pooping 5 times a day.
intestinal problems as well as lactose intolerance, food allergies, celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease can also cause a toddler to poop 5 times a day or cause diarrhea.
And even viruses like enteroviruses and rotavirus can lead to diarrhea in toddlers.
A toddler should poop at least as often as once a day although some toddlers may poop more than once a day which is also normal depending on their diet.
However the actual amount of times that a toddler will poop can vary depending on the toddlers diet.
Some toddlers may poop once a day or even twice a day and some toddlers may only poop once every few days to a few times a week.
If the toddler is eating more fiber based foods, then the toddler will often poop more often than they would if they ate less fiber.
Many toddlers have a bowel movement or poop once a day, but even if the toddler is pooping up to 3 times a day or even if the toddler is pooping 5 times a day it can be normal, but it can also be a sign of "toddler's diarrhea" if the stools are loose or watery. it's still normal.
And even if the toddler goes a few days without pooping, that is also normal.
If the toddler poops less than 3 times a week, then it's considered to be constipation, especially if the poop is hard, dry and painful to pass.
If the toddler is not pooping at all, or having pain or has been constipated for more than a few days, then it's best to take the toddler to their doctor.
Pooping every other day is also normal for toddlers as long as the poop is soft and not painful.
Signs of constipation in a toddler include.
Pooping less than 3 times a week.
Straining, crying, or appearing to be in pain when trying to poop.
Having poop that is often small, hard and or difficult to pass.
Being bloated, a decrease in appetite or changes in the toddlers posture or movements.
And when the poop stays in the colon too long, it can result in watery poop leaking around the blockage which is also known as fecal soiling or encopresis.