What to do if your child is constipated

The problem of improper digestion often occurs in children. What to do and how to treat constipation in a child? Many mothers ask this question. Today we will try to consider this situation in detail.

Causes of constipation in children

Before proceeding with the treatment of constipation, it is imperative to correctly determine its cause. The method of treatment depends on this. Constipation can be a symptom of another dangerous illness. For example, if your child has problems with the thyroid gland, polio, hypothyroidism, constipation may occur due to these diseases.

But usually the cause of constipation lies elsewhere. As a rule, due to improper nutrition or insufficient intake of pure water, problems with stool occur in children. Fatty foods, preservatives, flour dishes are all unsuitable food for a child. In order for the intestines to work well, the child needs to eat more foods containing fiber - these are vegetables and fruits, coarse bread.

Constipation in infants

In infants, constipation provokes the mother's malnutrition: too much protein food, flour, coffee or black tea - this does not affect the baby's digestion in the best way. Inappropriate baby food or complementary foods too early can also cause constipation in babies. Another reason for problems with stool in a baby is too little fluid.

In this case, it is not difficult to cope with constipation. You just need to follow some recommendations:

• For mom, you should bring your diet back to normal. Reduce the amount of flour, coffee and tea, eat less protein products. But at the same time, you need to eat about 100 g of meat every day.
• Introduce fiber to the mother's diet, which is present in large quantities in vegetables.
• Give the baby to drink decoctions of dried fruits, for example, a decoction of raisins.
• Choose formula for feeding with your pediatrician.

What helps with constipation

To eliminate constipation in a child, you cannot use medicines recommended by adults. They are too aggressive for the child's body. Therefore, there is no need to experiment with the health of the child.

A glycerin candle can help your baby. It acts locally, only in the rectal region, does not cause kidney and liver poisoning, and does not lead to microflora disturbances. In addition, it is quite easy to insert the candle with minimal discomfort for the child.

Laying on the stomach can help young children avoid regular constipation. This helps to remove feces. A massage of the abdomen in a circular motion works in a similar way.

Enema for constipation

The use of an enema for constipation should be considered only as a last resort. This can weaken the intestinal motility, besides, its microflora is disturbed and immunity is reduced.

If it is impossible to cope with constipation by other methods, then you have to do an enema. Children need to do it only with clean boiled water, which is cooled to room temperature. In this case, the amount of water should be small. For a child up to 6 months, 50 ml is enough, up to a year - 150 ml, up to 2 years - 200 ml, up to 5 years - 300 ml, up to 9 years - 400 ml.

For an enema, it is better to use a special balloon-back or Esmarch's mug for older children. The syringe tip is lubricated with petroleum jelly.

The child should be laid on the right side and the tip should be inserted carefully into the anus. First, you should make sure that there is no air in the syringe. Inject the liquid gradually, after the introduction, carefully remove the device. Then give your baby a belly massage.

Suppositories for children from constipation

Candles can be used to eliminate constipation for children of any age. They give a good effect - after half an hour the child is relieved. Candles that contain glycerin work best. They soften stool by attracting water.

Another group of suppositories causes increased gas formation and stretching of the intestinal walls. This irritates the receptors and increases intestinal motility.

For babies over 2 years old, you can use candles containing bisacodyl. They cause an increase in intestinal mucus, so the movement of feces and their excretion is facilitated.

Candles with sea buckthorn oil work especially well. In addition to the laxative effect, they also have a wound healing effect. Therefore, they can be used for anal fissures.

Constipation medicine for children

Some medicines can be given to children to treat constipation. In this case, it is imperative to consult a doctor first, so as not to cause the baby even more harm.

The use of a medicine such as Lactuvit has a good effect. It contains only natural ingredients that act only in the rectum. Therefore, Lactuvit is safe for the health of the baby.

For children over six years old, Duphalac can be used. The action of this drug is based on softening feces and saturating the intestines with beneficial bacteria.

Children under one year old can be given Buscopan and Macrogol strictly according to the instructions. These drugs promote the movement of feces, relieve spasms.

How to treat constipation in children

The first step is to get rid of the problem causing constipation. Bring the child's nutrition back to normal, give him enough fiber and clean water. If the baby often suffers from constipation, be sure to consult with a gastroenterologist and pediatrician. Use enemas and laxatives as little as possible. Only if absolutely necessary and on the recommendation of a doctor. In this case, it is better to use drugs containing lactulose, as the safest for children's health.

Folk remedies for constipation in children

Well helps to eliminate constipation decoctions of medicinal herbs. Babies can be given a little dill water after each feeding. It is simple to prepare it - boil a teaspoon of dill seeds in a glass of water for 3 minutes. The broth must be cooled to room temperature.

Older children can be given a decoction of prunes and figs. Warm water with honey is good for constipation. You need to drink this drink on an empty stomach every day. After a meal, give your child 100 g of kefir mixed with 2 tsp. vegetable oil.
Do not forget that any treatment should be carried out only after consulting a pediatrician.