Relieving Constipation In Children

Relieving constipation in children can be done by a combination of laxatives, behavioral therapy and a balanced diet. Before we try to relieve constipation we should know what kinds of food trigger it. Here are some foods that parents should avoid for their children:

hamburgers
pizza
sodas
processed pasta
white bread
deep-fried food
fast food
dairy
meat

Constipation usually passes children when they start growing up. So it’s not something dreadful that a parent should worry about on their child. To help speed things up here are some cures that you may want to try:

water – teaching your child to drink 8 glasses of fresh, clean water daily is important. Water helps eliminate toxins quickly and aids in proper digestion.

juice – fresh juice is always good for children and adults. Prune juice for example is a natural laxative.

diet – convincing your child to change his eating habits may be a tedious task for most parents but it’s worth a try.

toilet training – train you child to sit on the toilet for 10-15 minutes after each meal. The body has a natural reflex of emptying the stomach after meals.

foods that constipate – milk and dairy products are known as constipating foods.

sweets – candies or foods with a high sugar content causes delay in proper digestion. Throw them away or at least hide them from your child.

Laxatives – are often prescribed by doctors in relieving constipation in children. What it does is clear the path or passage way of the rectal colon to provide easier flow of the stool. A strong dose of laxative can quickly and fairly perform this job. After the colon is cleared of any impacted stool, it is advised to continue taking maintenance laxatives as prescribed by your doctor.

supplements – are also good in treating constipation. Flaxseed oil and milk thistle are some supplements that lubricate the colon and improves bile flow.

There is no exact way to guarantee the absence of constipation but parents can help their children make dietary and lifestyle changes to prevent it. Relieving constipation in children requires the full cooperation of the parent and child.