Why Poop is a Conversation We Need to Have (Especially with Our Kids)

Talking about poop might feel awkward, but it’s one of the most important health conversations we can have—for ourselves and also for our kids. Normalizing this topic helps us recognize what healthy digestion looks like and when something might be off.

The Importance of Daily Pooping

Generally, everyone should aim to poop at least once a day, ideally after each meal. Dr. John Christopher put it into perspective:

“If the average American only has 3 bowel movements per week and is supposed to have 3 per day, then by the end of the week, they’re 10 bowel movements short. By the end of the month, they’re 72 behind. And by the end of the year, they have an 864-bowel movement deficit. Over the years, this adds up. By the time someone is 80 years old, they may be 70,000 bowel movements behind. No wonder the body starts breaking down and feeling old.”

This shows how crucial regular elimination is for staying healthy and avoiding long-term problems because you want the junk to leave the body not live in it.

Why Regular Elimination Matters

When we don’t poop daily, waste sits in the intestines for too long. This leads to the reabsorption of harmful substances like toxins and pesticides that the body is trying to eliminate. Over time, this can cause a ripple effect of health issues:

• Chronic symptoms: Gas, bad breath, and overall toxicity.
• Leaky gut: This can also weaken your immune, hormone, and nervous systems.
• Behavioral and cognitive effects: Poor focus, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and even behavioral issues.
• Physical problems: Allergies, inflammation, stomach aches, asthma, ear infections, croup, and potential long-term brain dysfunction.

Constipation, among other things, can also be the root cause of bedwetting or accidents with children.

Teaching Kids to Read Their Poop

One of the best ways to promote lifelong health is teaching children what healthy poop looks like. This starts with understanding poop at different stages.

What Healthy Poop Looks Like:

• Babies:
  • Breastfed babies: Poop is loose, sometimes grainy or seedy.
  • Formula-fed babies: Poop is thicker, resembling toothpaste or hummus.
  • After starting solids: Poop becomes firmer but should remain mushy until weaning ends.
• Everyone Else:
  Use the Bristol Stool Chart to identify poop types. Types 3 and 4 are considered the “gold standard” for healthy bowel movements.

The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Your Poop (and How to Fix It)

Your poop can tell you a lot about your health! Here’s a breakdown of different poop types, what they mean, and how to improve your gut health based on the signs because when you poop better you feel better!

Hard Poop #1: Hard, Separate Clumps

• Problem: You’re constipated. This is often due to dehydration, stress, magnesium deficiency, or possibly a thyroid issue.
• Fix:
  • Drink plenty of filtered, remineralized water (add real salt or trace minerals).
  • Take a magnesium supplement.

Dry Poop #2: Lumpy, Dry, Sausage-Shaped

• Problem: Mild constipation.
• Fix:
  • Drink mineralized water (see #1).
  • Take magnesium supplements.
  • Eat a plate full of greens daily.
  • Add healthy fats like avocado, eggs, and salmon to your meals.

Poop #3: Solid Sausage-Shaped with Cracks

• Problem: None! This is the “green zone.” Your gut is likely in good shape.
• Fix (if needed):
  • If you’d like to poop more often, drink more water and increase healthy fats in your diet.

Poop #4: Smooth, Soft Sausage or Snake

• Problem: None at all! You’ve achieved poop perfection.
• What it Means:
  • A strong gut and a balanced diet. Keep doing what you’re doing!

Soft Poop #5: Soft Blobs with Defined Edges

• Problem: Not enough fiber or good gut bacteria.
• Fix:
  • Eat more veggies.
  • Slowly incorporate resistant starches like green banana flour or raw potato starch.
  • Take inulin to feed the good gut bacteria.

Mushy Poop #6: Mushy with Ragged Edges

• Problem: Inflammation, possibly from leaky gut or a suspect food.
• Fix:
  • Eliminate grains, seeds, legumes, gluten, and alcohol.
  • Experiment with fermented foods.
  • Focus on gut-friendly veggies like sweet potatoes, carrots, and asparagus.

Liquid Poop #7: Liquid Diarrhea

• Problem: Severe inflammation. If frequent, this may indicate gut imbalance, leaky gut, SIBO, or Crohn’s disease.
• Fix:
  • Follow the steps under #6.
  • Get your thyroid checked.
  • Try activated charcoal to help alleviate symptoms.

Extra Gut Support: Simple Remedies for Digestive Health

Sometimes, our digestive systems need a little extra help. Here are a few tried-and-true methods to support gut health and keep things moving:

1. Castor Oil Packs

• How to Use: Apply a castor oil pack to your abdomen once a week or as needed for acute digestive issues. This traditional remedy can also help reduce inflammation and stimulate bowel movements.

2. Digestive Bitters

• What They Do: Digestive bitters (find a DIY recipe here) stimulate stomach acid (HCL) production and support overall digestion.
• How to Use: Take 15-30 minutes before meals to prepare your digestive system.

3. Magnesium Citrate Cleanout

Magnesium citrate can help relieve constipation and regulate bowel movements. Here’s how to use it effectively for different age groups:

Instructions:

1. For Ages 5+
   • Mix 1 tablespoon of magnesium citrate powder (like unflavored Natural Calm) with 1 oz of boiling water.
   • Let it fizz, cool, and then mix with orange juice.
   • Take 1 tablespoon every two hours until stools are watery or yellow.
   • Adjust to a daily maintenance dose of 1-2 tablespoons.
2. For Ages 3-5
   • Start with 2 teaspoons, then reduce to 1 teaspoon every two hours.
3. For Ages 2-3
   • Start with 1 teaspoon, then reduce to 1/2 teaspoon every two hours.
4. For Ages 1-2
   • Use 1/2 teaspoon every two hours until cleanout is achieved.

Tip: Using unflavored magnesium powder makes it easier to mix with juice for kids. Always monitor stool consistency and adjust the dose to maintain regular bowel movements without overdoing it.

Final Thoughts:
Basically, our gut health plays a huge role in how you feel every day. By making small tweaks to your hydration, diet, and supplement routine, you can get your digestion back on track and feel your best. Remember, your poop is a powerful health indicator—listen to what it’s telling you!