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 you begin treating constipation, you must correctly determine its cause. The method of treatment depends on this. Constipation may be a symptom of another dangerous disease. 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 is something else. As a rule, problems with stool in children occur due to poor nutrition or insufficient consumption of clean water. Fatty foods, preservatives, flour dishes - all this is 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, wholemeal bread.

Constipation in a baby

In infants, constipation is caused by the mother’s poor diet: too much protein food, flour, coffee or black tea - this does not have the best effect on the baby’s digestion. Unsuitable baby food or complementary feeding too early can also cause constipation in a baby. Another reason for problems with stool in a baby is too little fluid.

Coping with constipation in this case is not difficult. You just need to follow some recommendations:

• For mom, you should get your diet back on track. Reduce the amount of flour, coffee and tea, eat less protein foods. But at the same time, you need to consume about 100 g of meat every day.
• Introduce fiber into the mother's diet, which is present in large quantities in vegetables.
• Give your baby a decoction of dried fruits, for example, a decoction of raisins.
• Together with your pediatrician, choose a milk formula for feeding.

What helps with constipation

To relieve constipation in a child, you cannot use medications recommended for adults. They are too aggressive on the child’s body. Therefore, there is no need to experiment with the child’s health.

A glycerin suppository can help your baby. It acts locally, only in the rectal area, does not cause poisoning of the kidneys and liver, and does not lead to microflora disturbances. In addition, inserting the suppository is quite easy with minimal discomfort for the child.

For young children, lying on their stomach will help them avoid regular constipation. This helps remove feces. Massaging 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 intestinal motility, in addition, its microflora is disrupted and immunity is reduced.

If it is impossible to cope with constipation using other methods, then you have to do an enema. For children, it should be done only with clean boiled water, which has been 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 or an Esmarch mug for older children. The tip of the syringe is lubricated with Vaseline.

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

Candles for children against constipation

Candles can be used to relieve constipation for children of any age. They give a good effect - within half an hour the child feels relief. Suppositories 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 children over 2 years old, you can use suppositories containing bisacodyl. They cause an increase in intestinal mucus, making it easier for stool to move and be eliminated.

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 medications can be given to children to treat constipation. In this case, you must first consult a doctor so as not to cause even more harm to the baby.

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 baby’s health.

Duphalac can be used for children over six years of age. The effect of this drug is based on softening stool 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 and relieve spasms.

How to treat constipation in children

First of all, you need to get rid of the problem causing constipation. Bring the child’s nutrition back to normal, give him enough fiber and clean water. If your baby often suffers from constipation, be sure to consult a gastroenterologist and pediatrician. Use enemas and laxatives as rarely as possible. Only in case of emergency and on the advice of a doctor. In this case, it is better to use medications containing lactulose, as they are the safest for children's health.

Folk remedies for constipation in children

Decoctions of medicinal herbs are good for eliminating constipation. Breasts can be given a little dill water after each feeding. It’s easy to prepare—boil a teaspoon of dill seeds in a glass of water for 3 minutes. The broth should be cooled to room temperature.

Older children can be given a decoction of prunes and figs. Warm water with honey helps with constipation. You should drink this drink every day on an empty stomach. After meals, 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 consultation with a pediatrician.