When they were diaper-wearing babies, you knew exactly what your children ate and what came out the other end. Many new moms even charted their newborns’ bowel movements for those precious first few weeks. But as they grow, parents become less involved with this aspect of their children’s lives. While that’s expected and good, make sure your children know what a healthy stool looks like. It’s a subject that might make them giggle, but their poop is a window into their health. This guide will help you teach your kids about healthy poop shapes, and provide some tummy-soothing tips to keep their digestive systems at its best.
Healthy poop shapes
Health professionals use the Bristol Stool Chart to describe stools shapes. There are seven basic types representing diarrhea to constipation. While this may make sense for an adult, it can be a challenge for kids to understand. Make it easier by comparing poop shapes to something your child knows. It will help them grasp what’s healthy and what’s not.
Type 1: Jelly beans or rabbit droppings (small, separate hard lumps)
Type 2: A nut bar or a bunch of grapes (a lumpy sausage shape)
Type 3: A corncob or chocolate-coated, nut-filled candy bar (like a sausage but with cracks on its surface)
Type 4: A snake or sausage (smooth and soft)
Type 5: Marshmallows or chicken nuggets (soft blobs with clear-cut edges)
Type 6: Oatmeal, frosting or peanut butter (a mushy stool)
Type 7: Milkshake or gravy (watery with no solid pieces)
Type 4 is considered normal. It’s also okay if it has a few cracks on the surface or if it’s a bit softer.
Supporting your child’s digestive health
A diet rich in fiber-rich fruits and vegetables supports a healthy digestive system. Most children need between 20 and 30 grams of fiber per day, but consume just half the recommended amount. Sneak fiber into their diets by offering high-fiber snacks such as berries and nuts. And add Sunfiber to their favorite foods and beverages. It’s tasteless, odorless and won’t change the color or texture. Plus each scoop adds five grams of tummy-pleasing soluble fiber.
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