Dealing with constipation is one thing, but seeing your child dealing with the same is another level of helplessness. Around 30% of children experience constipation, and it is becoming a common issue. Due to infrequent bowel movements, even your child gets irritated. But the question is why?

Or, have you tried some home remedies to treat constipation? Even if you did, have you considered child remedies only?

Let’s understand the causes behind constipation in children and what home remedies you can opt for to ease the problem.

Common symptoms of constipation

You should know the signs so that as a parent, you can take a step at the right time.

  • Not having bowel movements
  • Difficulty like forcing or putting pressure while passing stool
  • Pain during that time
  • Stomach-ache
  • Decreased appetite
  • Blood on the surface of hard stool (one of the serious concerns which parents should not avoid)

Causes of constipation

When the waste or stool moves way too slowly through the digestive tract, then this causes stool to become dry and hard, leading to constipation.

  • Dietary factors: not having enough fiber, fruits, and vegetables in the diet, you are allowing your child to eat unhealthy processed food, and these are the major causes. Also, water intake also influences constipation, as without adequate hydration, the colon absorbs the water from the stool, making it harder to pass.
  • Changes in routine: this happens to most of the children. Due to travelling, or hot weather, it can influence bowel movements. Like, if your child is going to school for the first time, this pressure and little stress can have an impact on their gut.
  • Withholding: for children, playing with friends is the most important thing to do. Also, some children also hold their bowel movements to avoid going in public washrooms. This repeated pattern can cause so many issues in them and can hurt while they try to pass a stool after some time.
  • Allergies: some allergies can also trigger constipation, like from cow’s milk, eczema, etc. It can upset your child’s stomach, cause bloating, and make them irritated. Also due to medical conditions like, anatomic malformation, digestive or metabolic system issues, and some of the underlying conditions where you need to focus on.
  • Family history: yes, this might be new for you, but if you have a family history of the issue, then it will pass on to the other generation also. The involvement of genetic and environmental combinations can increase the likelihood of the issue.

Beneficial home remedies

There are simple home remedies for children’s constipation, but ensure you avoid the things that might trigger the problem in your child again. Here are some:

  • Increase water intake: this is one of the most important things that as a parent you should focus on. It helps to soften stool by breaking down the food, moving waste from the intestine, and make easier to pass the flush. If they are not drinking enough water, you can make juice of fruits or vegetables to ensure their health.
  • Add ghee in warm water or ghee: we all know how a spoon of ghee can do wonders for our body. From bones to stomach, it is beneficial for every age group. Combining a tablespoon of ghee with warm milk or water before bedtime can help to soften stool. But if your child is sensitive to dairy products then use water instead. As per Hindustan time, this is also approved by Ayurveda.
  • Increase fiber intake: the role of fiber is to add bulk to the stool by adding gel-like substances, which makes it easier to pass the stool. Fruits, vegetables, and wheat chapati are some sources of fiber that we can find in every Indian kitchen. Make sure, your child is away from high-fat saturated food, as these are high in carbs which are bad for their gut and can cause long-term problems with their bowel movement.
  • Ginger: it is usually recommended for colds and coughs, but it is also helpful in constipation. It aids in stimulating the digestive tract, reduces the pressure on the lower intestine, and reduces symptoms like bloating, and fermentation in the gut. It is advised that, try this trick only if your child is older than 2.
  • Probiotics are good: yogurt, and sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) are rich in good bacteria, vitamin C, K, and fiber, and these aid in improving gut health. It helps restore the balance of the microbiome in the gut and improve bowel movement. Not only that, by introducing this in your kid’s daily routine, you can reduce the digestion time that their body usually takes.
  • Sesame seeds: these are high in fiber, along with an oily composition which aids in smoothening bowel movement. It works as a natural lubricant for your gut and also absorbs an adequate amount of water to make a gel-like consistency for promoting a smoother bowel.
  • Mulethi or licorice roots: these are some of the most effective solutions for constipation. One tablespoon of jaggery with mulethi helps in improving bowel activity. This is one of the oldest ways to treat this issue.

Conclusion

Rather than let your child suffer from constipation, it is better to apply some home remedies to ease your bowel movements before taking them to the pediatrician. Even, you can introduce them in their day-to-day life to ensure, that these will definitely bring positive changes over time. Moreover, if you want to have some expert advice, Cradle Children Hospital is available to give you the best advice.

For more information, contact us today!

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