[...] post is sort of like a followup post from the Toddler Constipation post. As of now, we are still having problem curing or giving relief to our boys who frequently suffers [...]
Baby Constipation: Tips Cure and Remedies
Today’s (overdue) post is about baby constipation. We’ll try to list down the causes of it, the tips and cures and also enumerate the best treatment or remedies in dealing with toddler constipation. Like I said, this is an overdue post. I could have made a post like this way back when my first born (Matt) was a little over 1 year old.
Matt is turning 4 years old now and his little brother, Sean, will be turning 2. That is why this topic on baby constipation is a little late. Good thing (NOT) that my sons sometimes still suffer constipation which reminded me to browse the web and search for remedies for constipation.. specific for babies and toddlers
(image credit – everything-daddy.com toilet training)
Constipation in Toddlers
Constipation is when the stool gets super hard that it takes extreme amount of effort to get it out there. Or basically it refers to the passage of hard stools (poop, poo). We parents assume that our child is experiencing constipation when there is no bowel movement for 3 or 4 days.
Constipation is a common and frustrating problem in children. Before I search information about it, I thought that my sons could be in a very serious situation.
Causes of Constipation in Toddlers
Constipation is most commonly caused by a diet that is low in fiber. This is true for both adults and children. For toddlers, aside from eating food that is low in fiber, constipation can also be caused by drinking too much milk specially in my case where my 4 year old is still drinking plenty of milk while my 2 year old is still breastfeeding. Breastfeeding or breast milk (in excess) can also cause baby constipation. Another common and obvious cause is not drinking enough water or waiting too long to go to the bathroom.
Cure and Treatment for Constipation
How do treat constipation? What are the popular or effective remedies for it? Let us list some tips, cure and remedies for child constipation below. Since we are talking about toddlers, we will only write natural medicine or remedies that are safe for babies and toddlers.
Let’s list down some of the natural ways or safe ways we can do to help our child and prevent constipation
Foods Rich in Fiber
Since one of the causes of constipation is lack of fiber, or eating food that is low in fiber, one thing we can do is to regularly add a fiber rich foods in their diet.
Let us enumerate some foods, fruits and vegetables that are fiber rich and could cure, treat or even prevent constipation in children.
Here are some foods that are rich in fiber:
- Potato
- Raisins
- Pineapple
- Karo Juice
- Prune or Prune juice
- Beans
- Sweet potatoes
- Peas
- Raw tomatoes
- Corn (or even popcorn!)
- and others…
How much fiber is enough for a 2 or 4 year old? Or is there such a thing as fiber overdose?
Children require (age in years + 5) g of fiber per day up to a maximum of (age in years + 10) g per day.
So a 3 year old needs 8 g and should have no more than 13g of fiber per day.
There is about 2g of fiber in:
* A serving of bread or cereal
* A small fruit
* ½ cup of vegetables
* 1 medium potatoEnsuring your child has enough fiber in the diet will help toddler constipation.
Drink Lots of Water and Decrease constipating foods
Constipating foods include milk, yogurt, cheese, cooked carrots, and bananas. Drinking too much milk (your child may only be drinking 2-3 cups a day, but it may be too much for his system to handle) is heavily associated with being constipated. Switching to soy milk has been shown to soften stools. If your child is unable to drink milk, then offer a daily multivitamin or other sources of calcium.
Those are just a few things we can do to help relief them from the pains of constipation. Another thing we can to is to encourage the child to sit on the toilet after meals. Try to add this to their daily routine. Toddlers maybe often reluctant to sit on the toilet if they have already experienced the painful bowel movement, but still try to add it up to the routine.
My wife and I have discussed this and will try to do the suggested tips. I hope you do too if you are in the same situation as we are.
Do you have any other suggestions in relieving the kids from constipation? Share them here if you want. Thanks!
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