School-age children can become constipated because they are afraid of using the school bathroom. Family problems such as a new baby or a family death also can cause some children who are being toilet trained to become constipated. Your child may cry while trying to pass the movement or say that it hurts. The child may go many days without having a bowel movement. He or she may want to have one, but even with pushing and straining, can't pass the stool.
Constipation can cause small tears that bleed near the rectum.
These tears will heal without medicine. You may notice small amounts of bright red blood on the toilet tissue or on the bowel movement. A diaper rash can also cause pain during a bowel movement. The child will not want to have a bowel movement because of the pain on his or her bottom. Most cases of constipation can be treated at home as long as the child does not have a lot of belly pain.