Constipation in children – diagnosis, causes, ways of constipation

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Constipation in infants and children always worries parents. The more so because it causes a number of unpleasant ailments.

Constipation – how to recognize it in a child?

The child (especially in infancy) becomes weepy, has problems with appetite, and thus gains less weight. Older children may be constipated when they have a bowel movement approximately every 3 days and the stool is very hard and has an unnaturally dark color. This applies, of course, to children who have so far defecated regularly – if the child has a stool every 2-3 days, and its consistency was normal and it did not disturb the appetite and weight gain, it is a natural state of affairs. Only changes in the current defecation of the child, the consistency and color of the stool and gastrointestinal complaints, such as abdominal pain, tenderness, bloating, can cause anxiety.

1. Read more: Baby poop – what does its color mean?

Constipation in an infant – causes

One can talk about constipation in an infant when the child passes stool less frequently than before, cries during bowel movements and, as a result, only a small, hard poop. Abdominal pain, tenderness and flatulence may occur. The child is tearful, irritable, loses his appetite. This condition in an infant should be quickly eliminated, bearing in mind that such a small child must not administer any medications on his own or use enemas.

Least prone to constipation there are breastfed babies, but even then constipation may occur due to allergies. Further reasons may be related to the irrational expansion of the infant’s diet and the administration of antibiotics, the side effects of which are problems with excretion.

Ways of constipation in an infant

For the first 1-2 months of life, babies who are exclusively breastfed have very rarely constipation. If they happen, you can give your baby a boost with boiled water, apply a relaxing massage, warm bath or a tummy wrap. If the problems persist, consult your child’s doctor. It is also worth discussing with a specialist any change in infant’s diet. The diet of a nursing mother should be balanced, devoid of artificial food additives harmful to the baby, preservatives, alcohol and artificial colors. In the case of diagnosed allergy, allergenic products should be avoided in the diet

For formula-fed infants, consider switching to other milk. If the child’s diet is already extended with new foods, it is worth avoiding thick gruels, boiled apples, carrots, and giving more drinks, e.g. diluted juices (apple, plum). You can also refrain from introducing new foods for a while and make sure that your baby gets more exercise. The pharmacy is available suppositories for constipation and syrups with lactulose, but their administration is better to consult with a doctor.

Constipation in a child

In older children, constipation may be the cause of poor diet, medication, and even stressful situations such as changing the environment, school, etc. Less often it is the result of an illness. However, if the condition persists for a long time, it is necessary to see a doctor with the child. Especially when the stool is very hard and large in diameter and the child feels pain during defecation, which takes place much less frequently than before.

In addition to the syrups to facilitate defecation, your child should drink plenty of drinks, including (daily) a glass of fruit or vegetable juice. He should also eat a lot of raw fruits and vegetables, while avoiding bananas, boiled carrots, and baked apples.