Some kids get constipated from chemotherapy. Someone is constipated when they have fewer or harder poops than usual. They may have belly pain, bloating, or nausea. If your child has constipation, here are things you can do at home to help.

• Give the medicines that your care team recommended. Do not give any medicines without checking with the care team first. Some constipation medicines could cause bleeding or other problems in kids getting chemotherapy
• Don't give your child any supplements or herbs (herbal supplements as well as herbs used in food or drinks) without talking to the care team first. Some can change the way chemotherapy works.
• Don't give your child an enema or suppository or put anything in your child's rectum to try to remove poop. This could cause bleeding.
• Changes in diet can help with constipation:
  • Try high-fiber foods (such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, bran, and nuts) because fiber helps move food through the digestive system.
  • If you notice any foods make your child's constipation worse (for example, bananas, white rice, or cheese), help your child avoid them. 
  • Follow the care team's instructions about avoiding certain foods.
  • Encourage your child to drink plenty of water. Drinking juices (like prune, pear, and apple) may help too.
• Encourage your child to be as active as possible. Even going for a walk can help. If your child feels weak, they might try doing simple exercises in bed, such as lifting their knees to their chest.
• Have your child sit on the toilet after a meal once a day, such as after lunch.
• Have soft toilet paper or flushable wipes for your child to use after bowel movements.

Your child:

• doesn't have a bowel movement for 2 days
• has belly pain or pain in the anal area
• has pain during a bowel movement
• has blood on the toilet paper or in the poop
• has diarrhea (watery poop)
• begins vomiting
• has been toilet trained but is having poop accidents
• has a swollen belly

Your child:

• has very bad belly pain
• has bleeding from the anus that doesn't stop
• has a lot of blood in the poop