Repeated episodes of passing hard, painful bowel movements can turn into a pattern of avoidance which can worsen the constipation problem.
What is constipation?
If your child regularly passes small, hard stools or has difficult bowel movements less often than once every three or four days, then she is constipated.
Consult your doctor if constipation causes your child discomfort.
Most doctors don't recommend using laxatives or purgatives for a small child. You should not try to treat the constipation with enemas, laxatives or suppositories yourself without consulting your doctor.
Constipation in children is quite common. There are many reasons a child might have a hard stool and passing a hard stool is often painful.
A child decides he doesn't want that pain and so tries to hold on to his stool. This aggravates the problem as any delay in passing the stool only makes it harder. Usually child constipation happens when this cycle of hard stool - pain - withhold stool - hard stool - pain etc occurs.
How can I prevent constipation?
Constipation can be caused by a poor diet, lack of exercise as well as a side-effect from certain medications.
Parents can prevent constipation by providing their children:
Adequate intake of fibre in the diet. Whole-grains breads, cereals and pasta; dried fruit like raisins and prunes; legumes like lentils, chick-peas or fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, bananas, papayas or sweetcorn help maintain regular trips to the toilet;
Foods added with Probiotics. Found in yogurt or milk powders, Probiotics are good bacteria that help maintain a good digestive system.
Regular sips of drinking water. Offer your toddler plain water a few times a day. Get him/her used to drinking this from young. If your water doesn't go down well with your child, try diluted fruit juices in between meals.
Adequate physical activity. Exercise is a great way to keep our body functions in excellent working order. Take your child out for a romp at the children's playground. Or a walk in the park. Bounce on a trampoline. Play a game of catch. Do jumping jacks or toe touches at home. Anything to get your kid moving!
With a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle, you and your child can close the door on constipation and look forward to stress-free skips to the loo.
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