How to know if your child is constipated?
Signs of constipation:
• Fewer bowel movements than usual
• Hard, dry stools
• Difficult and painful when passing stool
• Stomach pain/abdominal discomfort and crying during bowel movements
If your child has these symptoms, she may be constipated. However, if she has a bowel movement every two days and as long as the stool is soft and is not difficult or painful to pass, she is not constipated.
Causes of Constipation in Children
• Not drinking enough fluids
• A diet low in fibre
• Waiting too long to go to the toilet. Sometimes your child may not want to interrupt her playtime or is not comfortable using a public toilet or the memory of a painful passage of stool may make your child hold back her stool. This means the body reabsorbs fluid from the stool making it drier and harder and more painful to pass. This creates a cycle; the child starts avoiding a bowel movement and that in turn causes the constipation to worsen.
• Transition of breast milk to formula milk or solid food.
• Medicines are not a common cause of constipation in children but some cough mixtures can have this effect.
How to help your child?
• Make sure your child is drinking enough fluids – water, juice and milk. If your child is dehydrated, her stool will become harder, leading to constipation. It is important to stay hydrated especially in hot weather. Fruit juices such as apple or prune juice may be helpful in improving bowel movements. Limit your toddler’s juice consumption to prevent tooth decay and a ruined appetite. (Limit juices to 4-6 oz a day)
• Increase your child’s fibre intake. Fibre is found in foods such as cereals, grains, fruits and vegetables. Unpeeled fruits and vegetables such as beans, peas, tomatoes and corn are also high in fibre. You can also try giving her vegetable soups as it contain fibre and will also add more fluid to your child’s diet. If your child eats a diet high in fat and refined sugars (candy and desserts), she is probably not getting enough fibre.
• Establish a regular bowel pattern. Encourage your child to sit on the toilet for 10 minutes a day after meals, especially after breakfast. This can help her develop a habit of going to the toilet daily.
• Encourage your child to stay active daily. Persuade her to crawl, walk, or engage in other activities depending on her age. Being active increases the blood flow to all her organs and may help her bowel movements.
• Sometimes a warm bath can relax your child and help the stool to pass more easily.
• Massaging your child’s stomach in a circular motion to relax her muscle may ease her bowel movements.
Above all, be patient when dealing with constipation in children. It could be a chronic problem and may take time to improve.
Contributed by,
Tu Lit Khim
CareLine Advisor/Dietician