How often should we be going to the toilet per week?

It’s a topic we sometimes think about, very rarely talk about and almost never ask about. How often should I be going to the toilet each week?

Simply put, talking about our bowel movements isn’t a go-to conversation starter. Yet when it comes to our health, how often we do a number two, or how often we don’t, can sometimes indicate whether our body is on track or potentially not at its best.

So how do you know if your bowel movements (or if you’re a parent, the bowel movements of your children) are considered normal or not? Let’s get down to the facts:

How often should I go?

Many of us believe that what constitutes as normal is going once a day. For some, this may be true. Though what tends to be more important than a definitive ‘number’ is your own personal frequency of going to the toilet.

Some of us may visit the bathroom once a day, others once or twice a week and some, multiple times a day. How often you go will depend on a variety of factors like your individual genetics, how much fibre is in your diet and how often you exercise. Different life stages, like whether you’re an adult, child, or baby, can also have an impact.

That being said, newborns in the first three months of life can have three bowel movements or more per day. As they get older, the number of poos will usually decrease, and by two years of age, most will usually have one per day, though it is still normal for this to vary from child to child.

When it comes to adults, Michael Tam, Lecturer in Primary Care and General Practitioner from the University of New South Wales writes, “There is considerable variation between individuals [when it comes to bowel movements]. The claim that stool frequency in well people ranges from three times a week, to three times a day, is quite old – it comes from a British study from 50 years ago. Nevertheless, it remains a relatively useful rule of thumb.”

Often the biggest indicator that you should pay more attention to your bowel health is if your bowel movements drastically change - so, if you usually go once a day and are suddenly going three times a day or on the other end of the spectrum, not at all. "There is no pressing health need to aim for once-daily bowel motions for its own sake, if that isn’t 'normal' for the individual," Tam continues.

As previously mentioned, frequency patterns are as important in children and babies as they are in adults. If your or your child's regular bowel movements have drastically decreased because going to the toilet has become painful or the size and texture of the poo has changed, this could be a sign of constipation.

What are the signs of constipation?

Constipation is the presence of a hard bowel movement, which can make it difficult to pass. It can also cause you to go to the toilet less often than normal.

According to leading laxative brand OsmoLax Relief, constipation in adults and children is characterised by:

• Poos are hard, dry, and look like nuts or like a lumpy sausage, and/or
• Pains in the belly or bottom, and/or
• Pain or straining when passing a poo.

In children, added signs can include:

• Leaks or small watery poos into the underwear (soiling), if he or she is already toilet trained.
• Avoiding going to toilet or hiding and doing unusual movements such as rocking backwards and forwards while stiffening their bum and legs. These movements may look like your child is trying to go, but it is often the opposite and they may be trying to avoid going for fear of the pain.
• Excretions that look like small, hard nuts.

Why does constipation develop?

A change in environment, routine or diet can often cause constipation, according to OsmoLax Relief. 'Holding on' and not going to the toilet, in both adults and children, can also cause constipation.

For this reason, adults who work as shift workers or children who ignore the urge to go because they're busy playing, can have increased chances of suffering from constipation.

If this avoidance continues, the brain can begin to ignore signs that there is a need to go to the toilet. This leads to a gradual build-up that becomes dry, hard and painful to pass. Some children may 'withhold' from passing because of the pain associated with it, which can cause a nasty cycle if not addressed.

How do you treat constipation?

There are many options available, thankfully. In children, regular toilet sitting is important for them to develop the habit. The best time to encourage them to do this is after eating a meal, as the act of eating stimulates movement in the gastrointestinal tract. Encourage them to sit on the toilet for three to five minutes within half an hour of eating.

A healthy diet and increasing fibre is another way to help ensure bowel movements are regular.

You can add more fibre into yours or your child’s diet with:

• Two serves of fruit each day (leaving the skin on).
• Three or more serves of vegetables each day.
• High fibre cereals such as brans, oats, whole grains.
• Wholemeal or grainy breads or white bread with added fibre.

Yet for an adult or child with repeated constipation, doing this in some instances may not be enough in terms of relief and a laxative may be needed. A variety of laxatives are available from your local pharmacy and work in differing ways.

For adults and children, macrogol osmotic laxatives like OsmoLax Relief are a gold standard to assist with the relief of constipation. It works by holding on to the water it is taken with, softening the stool and makes passing the stool less painful.

Using a footstool when sitting on the toilet is another great option for both adults and children. In adults they can encourage the squatting position, which can make it easier and more comfortable to pass a poo or stool. In children they can provide better stability and security, particularly when their feet are far from the ground.

For parents, keeping a poo diary to record how often your child goes to the bathroom can also help. If you believe it is time to visit a GP or healthcare professional, having this information recorded can help them to better understand your child's constipation.

So when it comes to how often you should go, the number one rule comes down to frequency. If the frequency of how regularly you go changes, or it becomes infrequent, only once or twice per week, it may be time to consider if this is due to constipation.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.

What's the best advice you've been given around toilet habits? Let us know below.

This content was created with thanks to our brand partner OsmoLax Relief.