Nobody warned you about this part of parenting. You were prepared for the cute stuff but nobody said you would spend significant time thinking about your child poop. Toddler constipation is incredibly common, surprisingly stressful, and honestly pretty manageable once you know what you are doing. Signs your toddler is actually constipated: hard dry pellet-like stools, straining or crying during bowel movements, stomach pain or bloating, going 3 or more days without a bowel movement AND showing discomfort. The P fruits are your best friends: prunes, pears, peaches, and plums are all high in sorbitol which draws water into the bowel. Increase fluids especially water at every meal and snack. Cut back on dairy to around 16 to 20oz per day. Add fiber-rich foods: oatmeal, beans, sweet potato, broccoli, peas, apples with skin, whole grain bread. A warm bath helps relax muscles followed by gentle clockwise tummy massage. Physical activity gets things moving. After meals have toddler sit on potty 5 to 10 minutes with footstool for support. Call your pediatrician if no bowel movement in 5 or more days or if there is severe pain.