Understanding Constipation in Children
If you are an adult and have ever experienced constipation, you know it is a vexing problem that causes massive inconvenience. Imagine if children experience constipation - without knowing the right words to communicate their problem, they are stuck in a perpetually uncomfortable state until it goes away.
Sadly, constipation in children is a common problem. Constipation is inconsistency in bowel movements caused by either picky eating habits or ignoring bathroom breaks. If your child has hard or painful bowel movements, it might be because they are constipated.
Now, the good news is that constipation is usually temporary. By making a few tweaks to your child’s lifestyle, you can help them get rid of constipation.
Common Causes of Constipation in Children
Several factors can trigger constipation in children. It’s important to understand every one of them to ensure effective management.
- Low fiber intake - Not eating enough fiber-rich foods and instead having more of ultra-processed foods can contribute to infrequent bowel movements.
- Drinking less water - Without enough water, the stool becomes dry and hard, making bowel movements painful and infrequent.
- Lack of physical movement - If children are not physically active, the digestive system might suffer. A sedentary lifestyle can significantly slow down bowel motility, increasing the risk of constipation.
- Withholding stool intentionally - Some children ignore the urge to make a bowel movement to prevent disturbance during playtime or because of a random reason that only kids can understand.
- Medications - Several medications list constipation as their leading side effect. It is important to consult your child’s doctor before administering any such medicine.
- Emotional stress - Children don’t usually share their emotions. Hiding strong emotions can often lead to constipation.
Apart from these factors, there are some events that can inadvertently cause constipation:
- Travel where access to the washroom is restricted
- Introduction of solid foods or switch to formula from breast milk
- Anxiety around potty training
- Changing milk from one cow to another or vice versa
- Any illness
Dr. Vinay Munikoty Venkatesh, a consultant pediatrician at Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, has vividly explained the most common cause of constipation in children. You can benefit highly from his advice (Causes of Constipation in Kids) as it helps crack the code of children suffering from constipation. When you learn the leading cause of constipation in children, you can work on it and prevent this harrowing problem in children.
Recognizing Symptoms of Constipation
Constipation in children isn’t always easy to spot, especially since bowel habits vary by age. However, certain telltale signs can indicate a problem, and recognizing them early can help prevent discomfort and complications.
- Sporadic bowel movements - Less than three bowel movements a week
- Hard or dry stool - Painful bowel movements which make it difficult to pass
- Straining or visible discomfort - Children are hesitant to visit the toilet
- Stomach pain - Bloating or abdominal pain that is hampering a child’s daily routine
- Traces of stool in your child’s underwear - Presence of liquid stool that was backed up in your rectum
- Presence of blood - Hard stools covered with blood indicate how hard the child is trying to pass stool
Effective Remedies for Constipation in Children
There are multiple ways in which you can manage constipation in children. Here are some effective remedies which can relieve constipation.
Dietary Changes
Fiber intake is an essential diet requirement in children. It aids healthy digestion and ensures regular bowel movements [ref]. Focus on incorporating the following foods in your child’s diet:
- Whole grains - Quinoa, barley, buckwheat, millets, wheat, etc.
- Fruits - Avocado, raspberry, apple, banana, etc.
- Vegetables - Spinach, carrots, peas, corn, etc.
- Lentils - Whole green gram (moong dal), split Bengal gram (chana dal), etc.
- Nuts and seeds - Chia seeds, pistachio, walnut, almond, etc.
- Other foods - Popcorn, dark chocolate, etc.
Apart from incorporating these foods, increase your water intake. Hydration plays a major role in softening your stool [ref]. On the other hand, avoid ultra-processed foods as they contribute to constipation.
Lifestyle Adjustments
An inactive lifestyle can also make your digestive system inactive. Physical activities like running, jumping, and outdoor play can stimulate bowel movements [ref]. Apart from encouraging your child to be physically active, you must also convince them to maintain a healthy toilet routine. Create a stress-free and comfortable bathroom environment where they don’t have to hold their stool and visit the bathroom at regular intervals to make a big difference.
Natural Solutions
If the child has mild constipation, you can opt for natural remedies that may provide relief from this problem. Give your child a warm bath, as it may help relax abdominal muscles. You can also give gentle tummy massages to children, if they are comfortable, in circular motions around the navel to relieve bloating and stimulate bowel movement.
Medical Treatment
If constipation persists and does not go away with the above remedies, you have to go for medical treatment. Visit a trusted pediatrician who might recommend stool softeners or laxatives to ease the discomfort.
You must also visit a doctor urgently if you spot blood in your child’s stool or if they have not had any bowel movement for days.
Wrapping Up
The best way to deal with constipation is to take preventive measures. After all, prevention is better than cure and a happy tummy means a happy kiddo. Give your child foods with high fiber content, inculcate a habit of drinking plenty of water, and encourage an active lifestyle to avoid the onset of constipation.
If you need help with identifying the causes of constipation in children or are looking for its treatment, you can always turn to the DocTube app, where you can get advice from the top pediatricians.DocTube features health videos made by top doctors in the country. You can either visit its website or download its application to enhance your health education about various topics. To prevent language from becoming a barrier, DocTube offers information in multiple languages, including but not limited to English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, etc.
Navigating through the DocTube app is easy for all individuals thanks to its user-friendly interface. You can also get personalized recommendations to take an active part in your health journey.
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