I'm Dr. Belinda Basaca, but my patients call me Dr. B. As a pediatrician, I know that constipation is one of the most common children's health problems because I treat it nearly every day. As a mother of two young boys, I also know that provides little comfort when your child is struggling with the pain and frustration of not being able to go to the bathroom. That's why I'm here to help. I've partnered with Fleet because I'm excited about the new kid-friendly options that Pedia-Lax offers to parents and their children. From time to time, I'll be answering your e-mails and addressing your concerns on the Pedia-Lax Website. I hope you'll consider me just another mom you can turn to for advice.

With best wishes for your health,



Dr. B

Read Dr. B.'s Bio

Pass the fiber, please!

As a whole, most parents know and understand that fiber is a vital part of a healthy kid's diet. But it's beyond there that the problem lies. While moms and dads may know fiber is important, they don't know how important or how many grams of fiber kids need each day or even how to create fiber-rich meals. Read more >>

The Sounds of Back-To-School

The happy sounds of summer include children laughing and playing. When back-to-school time arrives, those sounds can change due to the many lifestyle changes that accompany this time of year. I've compiled a list of some of the sounds of back-to-school and ways to address them for a happy and healthy year. Read more >>

Address Constipation Quickly, Then Work to Fix It

Constipation hurts. A constipated child may have stomach aches in addition to pain when straining to pass a hard stool. And, when your child has had painful bowel movements, he or she may choose to "hold it in" rather than risk discomfort. This behavior can actually cause a recurrence of constipation. Read more >>

Tips for Keeping Your Child Hydrated

Water plays an important role in keeping kids regular, because it helps soften stools so that they are easier to pass. More than our bowel is affected when we get dehydrated because water makes up 60 to 80 percent of our bodies. It is essential to regulating the body's temperature by allowing us to sweat. Read more >>

PART II: Poop - A Barometer of Your Child's Health: Shape & Consistency

What's ideal? In terms of color, healthy poop resembles plain cardboard. It should be almost odorless. You do not want stool to be super thin (like a pencil), round (like little pellets), extremely hard or loose. Poop that is very soft and smelly may indicate excess fat in your child's stool. Read more >>

PART I: Poop - A Barometer of Your Child's Health: Color

Parents spend the first few years of their child's life immersed in a world of poop. You learn what's "normal" and what's "abnormal" for your child. But, as they graduate from potty training, you may miss out on a very important measure of your child's health: the color of their poop. Read more >>

Get Ready, Get Set, Get Your Child to "Go!" Potty Training Tips for Parents

Potty training is a big step for toddlers and can make some children fear going to the bathroom. So, what can you do to help ensure success? Read more >>

After the Flush: Helping Promote Regularity

When it comes to constipation, my philosophy is to intervene quickly to relieve the child's discomfort and then work to fix it. Diet plays a very important role in this process. Read more >>

The Holiday Health Issue that No One Talks About

It's difficult for many families to maintain their routine during the holidays with travel, treats and a lively social calendar. These factors compound to affect the whole family's eating habits. Read more >>

Avoid Back-to-School Constipation

Back-to-school can be a stressful time for kids and their parents: new teachers, new classmates and sometimes, new problems like constipation. One link between back-to-school and constipation? Many children choose to "hold it in" rather than poop in school bathrooms. Read more >>

Does Summer Spell Constipation for Your Child?

For most kids, summer plans include travel to a summer camp, family vacation, or at least a sleepover with friends. But alongside summer fun is a new schedule, and while itineraries sometimes include a trip to the bathroom, some kids don't find a time when it's comfortable for them to go. Read more >>

Questions & Answers with Dr. B.

Q: I gave my son a recommended dose of Pedia-Lax based on his age. How long should I wait until I can give him the next dose if he has not had a bowel movement yet? Read more >>

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