CONSTIPATION IN CHILDREN: CAUSES AND PREVENTION

A child’s poo can tell us about how a kid’s diet is affecting them and what to do about it. Poo really has a lot to say – it can tell us if we’re dehydrated, not eating enough fiber or fruits or vegetables.  It also shows how well we are digesting our food and whether or not your kid’s food agrees with them. 

Normal ‘Pooing’

Normal poo in a baby or child who eats solid food should be formed and eliminated in long pieces. Color will vary depending on the child’s diet but is usually brown.  It should be easy to eliminate and when wiping it shouldn’t take much to clean their bottom.

  It should have an odor, but not an offensive one. Your child should have a bowel movement anywhere from 1 to 3 times per day.

Signs of Constipation

Constipation can be viewed in a wide spectrum ranging from difficulty passing stool to irregular elimination that can cause discomfort and abdominal pain.  Dry, hard, small poo or large bulky difficult- to- pass poos are not normal.  If you’re child doesn’t have a poo every day or struggles and strains when they go then they’re constipated.

Causes of Constipation

Most common cause is the Diet. It can be caused by illness & fever in a short term or if in a longer term, constipation may be due to imbalances in the gut flora or food sensitivities.

These are the most common dietary culprits:

• Too many white flour foods or refined carbohydrates;
• Not enough fiber, fruits or vegetables;
• Too many rich foods, especially pasteurized dairy products;
• Too many cold foods such as ice cream or frozen yogurt;
• Inadequate water intake;

Sometimes imbalances in the gut flora are the culprit.  Food sensitivities create low level inflammation in the gut which contributes to bowel dysfunction. 

Ways of Getting Rid Of Constipation

1. Massage – Massaging the belly in a clockwise direction around the belly button along with several other massage techniques on the back and hands can naturally stimulate the bowels to move.  Massage is safe, natural and effective for treating constipation.
2. Soak prunes overnight and then serve with hot whole grain cereal the next day. For toddlers 18 months or younger give them a teaspoon of the water the prunes were soaked in to avoid too much purging or else they may have diarrhea.
   
3.  For toddlers 18 months and older and children, 1/2 cup prune juice + 1 TBS lemon juice + 1 cup water in the evening before bed.  This method may cause diarrhea in babies 12 months and under so do not use it for them.
4. In babies 12 months and under, you can gently stimulate the anus to help encourage bowel movements.
5. Herbal formulas containing extracts of figs, prunes, ginger, caraway and coriander can be beneficial. 

CAUTION:  Be careful in using laxative remedies in babies 18 months and under to avoid diarrhea.

Preventive Measures:

1. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) – make sure your child is getting enough essential fatty acids to help lubricate the bowels and soften stool naturally to make it easier to go.  Your child can get EFAs from walnuts, sesame seeds, groundnuts, coconut, coconut oil and avocados also provide a healthy source of EFAs.  You may also want to give them a fish oil supplement on a daily basis as well.
   
2. Fermented Foods – such as whole milk yogurts and other fermented fruits and vegetables provide a natural source of live probiotics.  Lactobacillus is a “good” bacteria that do many things to help our bodies, including digesting food. If you don’t have enough or the right balance, digestive problems result.  You may want to also give them a regular probiotic supplement.
   
3. Fruits - pears, apples, apricots, prunes, papaya, coconut and figs help lubricate the intestines and provide fiber
4. Vegetables: spinach, cabbage, sweet potato, carrots, cauliflower, alfalfa sprouts, beets, asparagus help lubricate and promote bowel movements.
5. Foods high in Magnesium –  Such as dark leafy greens.

Fresh homemade juices, green smoothies and serving fermented fruit over stuff they like are a few ways to add necessary foods if your child is picky and doesn’t want to eat their greens.  Make sure to offer water all day and avoid store-bought processed, sugary juices.