Most of the children experience constipation often. Children’s diet may not always be filled with lots of fiber as it may cause diarrhea. Constipation in kids more or less refers to moderate to extreme difficulty in passing stools or pass stools less often, no more than 4 times a week! Although constipation isn’t a major condition to concern, constipation in kids lead to bloated stomach, errant behaviors, stomach pain and discomfort, refusal to eat, etc. It is an easily preventable condition and can be treated simply with home remedies.
If you examine the causes of constipation, there could be hardly two or three reasons.
- Child doesn’t get any fiber content in diet
- Inadequate water or fluids in the foods
- Eating fast food items too much and too often which are rich in sugar and trans-fat
In other cases, feeding certain medications like iron supplements, using a new food item like formula drinks, changing the baby formula to toddler formula, medicines for fever, etc. may cause constipation.
Besides, there is a strange habit in kids. There are many children, especially the school students who tend to control their urge and avoid going to bathroom. It may be because of the shyness or the lack of hygiene / cleanliness. When they control the natural urge, it becomes too hard later. This may also lead to constipation.
Constipation in kids is not measured or applied uniformly on every child. The eating habit and bathroom habits are very different in them. A few children may have the bowel movement around three times a day and a child may have it one time a day. Finding it too hard to poop, straining while poop, mild bleeding while pooping, change in the usual pattern, etc are the symptoms of constipation in kids.
It is an easily curable condition. Constipation may not appear a challenging health condition in kids, but it should not be overlooked. Following are the few tips to overcome this condition:
Regulate the meal time:
Developing regular meal time helps developing a routine bowel habit. Eating at odd times may disturb the digestion and lead to constipation.
Check out on Fiber:
Although it is not wise to load up fiber foods in little ones diet, make sure to add one or portions of fiber rich foods to ease digestion and bowel movements. For instance, fruits and vegetables. If your child eats any sugary or starchy foods rich in fat, do feed a high fiber source to digest the starch. Fiber can be mild and choose from apple, banana, orange, pop corn, oats, etc.
More liquids / warm water:
Adequate liquid foods or even water is sufficient to prevent or treat constipation. Giving a glass of warm water before bed or in the empty stomach in the morning eases pooping.
For severely constipated kids, you can try this simple home remedy. Soak dry grapes also known as raisins overnight in warm water. Drain the water and feed the water to the child. It will help loosening the intestinal track and eases bowl movements. Remember not to overdo this.