This is an opportunity to raise awareness about bowel health and related gut health problems. The Continence Foundation of Australia has a number of free resources that focus on gut health.

Children usually develop the ability to be toilet trained by about three years of age. If a child is unable to be toilet trained or has regular poo accidents after the age of three to four years, then they should be medically assessed.

Constipation is when bowel actions (poo) are difficult to pass and less frequent. If not recognised or left untreated, soiling (faecal incontinence) may occur as a result. Medical assessment is also recommended If a child has been toilet trained and at a later stage starts to soil.

This QR code takes you to The Bristol Stool Chart. This is a medical aid designed to classify faeces, but you can use it to check what your stools are telling you. According to this scale there are seven types of stools (or faeces/ poo). The important thing is that your stools are soft and easy to pass (like types 3 and 4)

Keeping your bowel healthy: Here are some ways to maintain a happy and healthy gut. 

• A healthy diet containing plenty of different fibre rich foods(e.g., fruits and vegetables, cereals (breakfast cereals, bread. Pasta and rice), beans(legumes), nuts and seeds
• Drinking plenty of water- The recommended daily intake of water for children is:
• 4 to 8 years old: 5 cups (of 250 mls)
• 9 to 13 years old: 5 to 6 cups ( https://www.healthdirect.gov.au)
• Regular exercise- each day children aged 5-12 years need at least 60 minutes of ‘huff and puff’ activity e.g., running or sport and strength activities such as jumping or climbing 3 days per week healthytasmania.gov.au
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