How to Tell If Your Child Is Constipated and How to Treat It ?

 If you’ve been constipated as an adult, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Now imagine being a baby, toddler, or young child with constipation.

They don’t understand what’s happening, and depending on their age, they can’t always communicate their symptoms. Your child could be constipated for some time before you realize it.

Constipation is infrequent bowel movements, typically fewer than three in 1 week. In many cases, child constipation is short term and resolves with treatment.

To treat it, though, you must learn how to recognize the signs of constipation in your child.

Babies

Some formula-fed and breastfed infants get constipated once they’re introduced to solid foods. Symptoms of constipation in a baby or infant include:

1) pellet-like bowel movements

2) difficulty passing stools

3) crying during bowel movements

4) hard, dry stools

5) less frequent bowel movements

6) Stool frequency can vary from baby to baby, so use your baby’s normal activity as a baseline. If your baby normally has one bowel movement a day and it’s been a few days since their last stool, this could be a sign of constipation.

Toddlers

Toddlers may have similar symptoms to a baby, as listed above. You may see other symptoms in toddlers, too, such as:

1) unusually large stools

2) stomach feels hard to the touch

3) abdominal swelling

4) traces of blood on toilet paper (due to small tears around the anus from straining)

Older kids

Along with the aforementioned symptoms, older kids may complain of stomach pain and have traces of liquid in their underwear from backed up stool in the rectum.

Actions and Remedies:

1) Drink more water

Constipation can develop when stools become dry and hard. Drinking water can soften stools, making them easier to pass.

If your baby is at least 6 months old, you can offer 2 to 3 ounces of water at a time to relieve constipation. Keep in mind that water doesn’t replace regular feedings.

2) Drink some fruit juice

Fruit juice is also effective for relieving constipation because some contain the sweetener sorbitol, which can function as a laxative.

If your baby is at least 6 months old, you can offer 2 to 4 ounces of fruit juice. This includes 100-percent apple juice, prune juice, or pear juice in addition to regular feedings.

3) Add more high fiber foods

If your baby has started eating solid foods, incorporate more high fiber baby foods into their diet. This includes:

apples

pears

peas

prunes

bananas

Reduce amount of rice cereal

Rice cereal can also trigger constipation because it’s low in fiber. Reduce the amount of rice cereal you feed your baby to relieve constipation.

Another option is to insert an infant glycerin suppository into your baby’s anus. These are safe for infants and available over the counter for fast relief.

Babies under the age of 6 months only need formula and breast milk, no other fluids. If you’ve been giving a baby under 6 months solid foods or rice cereal, stop giving these foods. See if their symptoms improve. If symptoms don’t improve, see their pediatrician.

Constipation remedies for older kids

For older kids, here are a few basic tips to stimulate bowel movements.

1) Increase their water intake

Lack of fluids contributes to constipation in older children. Make sure your child drinks at least 32 ounces of water each day to help soften their stools.

2) Give your child a suppository

Similar to infants, glycerin suppositories can soften stools in older children so they’re easier to pass.

3) Increase fiber intake

A low fiber diet is another contributing factor to constipation in children. Be sure to include more fiber-rich options in their diet. This includes more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You can also administer children fiber supplements.

To figure out how much fiber your child needs per day, take their age and add 5. So, if your child is 8 years old, they’ll need 13 grams of fiber per day.

4) Increase physical activity

A sedentary lifestyle may also play a role in constipation. Encourage physical activity to help stimulate intestinal contractions and bowel movements.