How to Treat Toddler Constipation

Explore this Article

methods

1Using Diet and Nutrition

2Using Other Approaches

3Understand Childhood Constipation

Other Sections

Related Articles

References

Constipation, or the inability to have a bowel movement, is very common, especially in children. In children, constipation is usually not a sign of a medical problem. It is usually a functional problem, meaning there is no physiological or physical problem. The child doesn’t want to or cannot easily go to the bathroom because it is in some way uncomfortable, unpleasant, difficult, or painful. If your child is suffering from constipation, there are some methods you can try to alleviate the pain.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Diet and Nutrition

1. 
   1
   Give them more fruit and have them sit down while eating. Sitting properly in a chair while eating can help aid digestion. In order to help your child with constipation issues, you need to increase the amount of fiber in their diet. This can be accomplished by giving them more fruit to eat. Try apples, raspberries, pears, blueberries, peaches, strawberries, prunes, blackberries, and figs, which are great for snacks and as parts of meals.

   • Keep the skins on the fruit. The skins contain a lot of fiber, which will help loosen their stools.
2. 
   2
   Try more vegetables. Vegetables are a great form of fiber for your child. They also are a great source of other key vitamins and nutrients. Leafy green vegetable are great sources of fiber, including mustard greens, spinach, collard greens, kale, turnip greens, Swiss chard, beet greens, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

   • Other vegetables high in fiber include all kinds of squash, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, and peas.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Feed your child more whole grains. While grains have a lot of fiber, which is great to relieve constipation. The best grains are unprocessed whole grains, which contain bran, the main source of the fiber. Good whole grains include oat, wheat, corn, and rice bran. These can be found in breads, cereals, oatmeal, and whole grain pasta.

   • If you child won't eat traditional forms of whole grains, you can grind and sprinkle bran over cereals, applesauce, soups, or stews.
4. 
   4
   Try more beans. Beans are a rich source of fiber to help your child relieve constipation. They are also a great source of vitamins and minerals as well, which make them very healthy for your child. You can add a few beans to any meal. Include them as a side dish or put them in soups.

   • Start off slowly because beans may cause gas, which can be uncomfortable.
5. 
   5
   Give your child nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds are a great source of fiber, but they can be a choking hazard. Instead, include them as ground nuts and seeds in their food. Try crushed almonds, walnuts, or peanuts for a snack or in other parts of their meal.#*For example, try using ground flaxseeds, which is a great source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Sprinkle it over cereal, applesauce, yogurt, and soup.

   • Of course, avoid nuts if your child is or may be allergic.
6. 
   6
   Feed your child the right amount. It is difficult to give children too much fiber, especially since they eat so little and may avoid fiber rich foods. According to the American Heart Association, children one to three years old need 19 grams of fiber a day. Children who are four to eight years old should get 25 grams of fiber a day.

   • To help track how much food your child gets a day, check how much fiber is in each type of food you feed them. There are online nutrition search tools that give you lists foods that are high in fiber. Check them to see which option is the best for your child.
7. 
   7
   Reduce foods that cause constipation. There are certain foods that can cause constipation. If your child eats too many of them, it may be causing their constipation. These foods include:

   • Processed foods, which have added sugars and lack fiber
   • Bananas, at least for a while, since they have a binding effect that can make constipation worse
   • Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream, which can cause binding
   Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Other Approaches

1. 
   1
   Hydrate your child. If you notice your child having problems going to the bathroom, she may need more hydration. A lack of water in the system will cause dry stools. Give your child more water per day, which will make their stool softer. The softer their stool, the easier it will be to have a bowel movement.

   • You can also give them diluted juice, which will have the same effect. Use prune juice, apple juice, or pear juice. Use only 100% juice. Juice with added sugars are not healthy for your child.
   • Dilute it by adding one ounce of water for every ounce of juice. Try to give them at least 32 ounces of water every day. If you use diluted juice, make sure 3/4 of their daily liquid intake is water.
2. 
   2
   Massage your child's abdomen. If your child is suffering from constipation, you may need to help get things moving. To help, gently massage your toddler’s abdomen to stimulate bowel movements.

   • Start at the lower right part of the belly, applying pressure to the abdomen in a gentle, circular motion. Massage it up and then across the belly. Next, move to the lower left part of the abdomen.
   • You may feel a mass in the lower left part of the abdomen. Don't worry because that is normal. What you feel is the stool.
   • Never press hard. You may cause injury.
3. 
   3
   Reduce emotional pressure. If you child is potty training, too much stress may be causing him to avoid going to the bathroom. The experience should be a calm and low-pressure experience for you and your child. Pressuring your child to have a bowel movement is not helpful and can cause your child to resist the action.

   • Give your child a reward for using the toilet. Read to him or tell him a funny story so he is relaxed. Even if their use of the toilet is unsuccessful, reward the effort.
   • Don’t force your child to do anything he isn't ready for. He may start thinking the toilet is a punishment and that he should avoid it.
4. 
   4
   Keep your child active. A good way to help your child get over constipation is to keep them active. Walking or running is a natural remedy for constipation. Movement helps digestion and encourages bowel movements.

   • Take your child to the park or encourage them to play outside more each day. This will also have the added benefit of making them more healthy.
5. 
   5
   Use fiber supplements. If every other remedy has not worked for your child, consider buying over-the-counter fiber supplements, such as Citrucel and Metamucil. When you give these to your child, make sure that you give him at least 32 ounces of water. These have to be taken with water or it can cause issues.

   • Talk to your pediatrician before giving any to your child to ensure that you have the right doses for their age, height, and weight.`
6. 
   6
   Stick to a schedule. Travel, hot weather, or stress can all disrupt your child's routine and, as a result, their bowel function. If at all possible, try to create and stick to a routine for toileting your child, such as taking them to the bathroom following a meal.
7. 
   7
   Talk to your doctor about laxatives. If your child has been constipated for a long time or if it is severe, talk to your doctor. He may discuss giving a laxative to your child if other treatments have not worked. Never give your child laxatives without talking to your doctor first. It can be dangerous if a laxative is not given under your pediatrician's guidance.

   • Generally, a pediatrician will suggest over the counter laxatives such as Miralax and Glycolax.
   • Your pediatrician may also suggest an enema or suppository in rare cases.
   Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Understand Childhood Constipation

1. 
   1
   Know normal bowel behavior. There is a large range of bowel movement frequency for children. The average number of bowel movements for infants is two to four stools a day. For toddlers, the average is one to two stools a day.

   • If your child generally has fewer bowel movements but does not have any discomfort or difficulty, that is likely normal for them. Even just three to four stools a week can be normal for some children.
2. 
   2
   Recognize the symptoms. Child constipation causes a variety of symptoms. If your child exhibits at least two of the following conditions, he may have functional constipation. These symptoms include

   • Three or less bowel movements per week
   • A loss of control of bowel movement at least one time per week after she learns to use the toilet
   • Abdominal pain
   • Nausea
   • A history of holding in stool
   • Painful, dry, or difficult bowel movements
   • The presence of a large stool in the rectum, which leave behind liquid or clay-like stools in the underwear
   • Large stools that may block the toilet
3. 
   3
   Seek medical help. If home remedies haven't worked within five to seven days, talk to your child's pediatrician about additional options. There are also a number of warning signs that can signal a larger problem than functional constipation. Call your doctor immediately if you see warning signs such as:

   • No or very few bowel movements in babies under one month of age
   • A failure to develop
   • Your child not eating or gaining weight
   • Diarrhea and explosive defecation
   • Blood in the stool
   • Fever
   • Vomiting
   • signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) such as pain with urination, urinary frequency, urgency, or accidents. UTIs are a common complication of constipation.
   Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement