Constipation
is a very common and frustrating problem for everyone, but especially for children. Once a child becomes constipated, he
tries to hold in his bowel movements to prevent it from hurting. This creates a
cycle that makes the constipation continue and become worse. Infants and
children with constipation are treated differently than adults. To assist
toddlers who are constipated, it is usually best to use all natural products
before attempting any medication.
Causes:
-
Eating less fibre like fruits,
vegetable and cereals
-
Less intake of water or any
liquid
-
Consuming
too much milk or cheese combined with not enough high fibre foods or water
-
Less
physical activity
-
A genetic disorder that affects
the digestive system
-
Avoiding body's signal to have
a bowel movement
-
Anxiety
over toilet training
Call
your doctor when your child has dry, hard stool
along with:
- blood in the stool
- fever
- vomiting
Help your child through natural method:
-
Decrease constipation foods
like milk, yogurt, cheese, cooked carrots, and bananas. Offer water and liquid
diet in good amount.
-
Change food diet; include more
fruits, cooked vegetables, grain bread and cereals.
-
Offer your toddler fruit juice
if he refuses to eat any fruits or vegetables.
-
Encourage your child to play
and indulge in more physical activity. Exercise helps to prevent and reduce
constipation.
-
Measuring three finger
widths below child's navel, apply gentle, firm pressure with your fingertips
for about three minutes.
-
Support child's feet when on
the toilet
-
Sometimes, a toddler can get
carried away playing and may ignore the signs of a bowel movement. Doing so may
lead to constipation. So try to avoid this situation.
-
Don't pressurize your child
for toilet training.
