Infrequent bowel movements or hard and dry stool is known as constipation. Constipation in children is very common, with usual causes such as changes in diet, less water intake and early toilet training. If your child is going through this, there is no reason to worry as such as this is a temporary problem faced by many. Off course, making simple dietary changes and including fibre-rich veggies and fruits and drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day can surely alleviate constipation. Here’s everything you need to know about constipation in children, its symptoms and causes.
Signs And Symptoms Behind Constipation May Include:
- Stomach pain
- Bowel movements being hard, dry and difficult to pass
- Pain while passing stool
- Traces of liquid stool in your kid’s underwear – this is a sign that stool is backed up in the rectum
- Blood on the surface of the stool or while wiping – this could be because of tear of the rectum
- Fear of passing the stool or using the toilet
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
Causes Behind Constipation In Children
When the waste moves in the digestive tract too slowly, it most commonly results in constipation.
Factors contributing to constipation are:
Changes In Diet
If the diet intake does not include fibre-rich fruits and vegetables, or good amounts of fluids, it may cause constipation. The most common duration when kids tend to go through constipation is when their diet is being changed from an all-liquid one to a solid-food one.
Medications
Certain medications such as antidepressants and others can cause a hard and uncomfortable passing of stool.
Milk Allergy
There are chances that your kid may be allergic to cow’s milk or may be consuming too many dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, cow’s milk etc. which could lead to constipation.
Family History
Genes play an important role in the overall development of the human being. If your child has a family history wherein constipation was prevalent, the chances are most likely that he/she may also develop the same.
Toilet Training Issues
If you start your kid’s toilet training too soon, your child may rebel and try to hold in the stool. This may become a habit eventually being tough to change.
Lack of physical activity
Exercise can help increase your child’s breathing and heart rate. That will help stimulate the muscles in your child’s intestines, helping them pass out stools. Naturally, if they don’t run around at all, they may have constipation If you’re planning to make your child exercise after a meal, make sure you wait for at least 1 hour after the meal. Include a little playtime and exercise in their daily routine and observe them.
What Can You Give A Child For Constipation?
You can try various remedies at home. These include:
Juice – Juice increases stimulation and movement in the abdomen making it softer and easier to pass stools. You should make sure to give not more than 4 ounces in a day. Try white grape, pear or white prune juice.
Water Water Water! – Increase your little one’s water intake and automatically see the difference.
Increased Fibre: It is crucial to note that unhealthy eating habits and high-fat food can cause constipation. Make sure your kid’s diet is fiber-rich and includes several servings of fruits. vegetables, and lots of water in a day.
What Is A Natural Laxative For A Child?
Prune juice is a mild natural laxative that works for some children. To make it taste better, try mixing it with apricot, apple or cranberry juice.
How Many Days Can A Child Be Constipated?
If your child’s constipation lasts for more than two weeks it’s called chronic constipation, and you should seek the advice of a pediatrician.
Conclusion
If you’re worried about your child’s constipation problem, see to it that you give them fiber-rich food. You can encourage your child to eat fruits and vegetables which are a good source of fiber. In case you have any queries about your child’s health, you can consult their pediatrician. Our ImmunifyMe app helps you consult pediatricians without leaving the safe doors of your house, so make sure you download it!
FAQs On Constipation In Children
What Are The Main Causes Of Constipation?
Some of the main causes of constipation in children are as follows:
- Changes in diet
- Medications
- Milk allergy
- Family history
- Toilet training issues
- Lack of physical activity
What Helps Constipation In Kids?
Here are some of the things that can help treat constipation in kids:
- Eating fibre-rich foods
- Drinking lots of water
- Having fruit juices
- Avoiding overeating
- Exercise
What Foods Help Kids Poop?
High fibre-rich foods like raspberries, oranges, apples, pears, etc can help your kids poop. Apart from that, oatmeal, whole wheat grains, black beans, kidney beans and soybeans can also help your kids poop.
Is Banana Good For Constipation?
Bananas are known to be very rich in fiber. So, the rich fiber content in bananas can help improve your digestion and therefore aid you in treating your constipation problem.
