Does your Child Complain of Constant Constipation Pain?

Little One Suffering from Constipation Pain

Don’t feel left alone and sad that your child is suffering from constipation. Many children endure the pain, stress and embarrassment caused due to constipation which normally calls for a visit to the pediatrician. Pediatric visit becomes mandatory in around three to five percent of the cases and can affect up to 30 percent.

What is Constipation Really!!!
The way kids poop can define constipation clearly. Infrequent bowel movements or hard, dry stools fewer than three times a week over a span of at least two consecutive weeks should be classified as constipation. This may or may not be accompanied by pain.

Parents feel that a bowel movement daily is the norm for any kid and start to panic and complain if this does not happen. Each person’s normal bowel movement is different and less frequent bowel movements do not immediately mean that a child is constipated. As a parent, your duty is to familiarize yourself with your child’s bowel movements.

If you feel that your child has difficulty in pooping you can get in touch with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) before it ends up in constipation. An RDN will come up with strategies and solutions to decrease your child’s problem. The website www.firsteatright.com can help you find renowned nutritionists/ dietitians to guide you on the best foods to be consumed to avoid constipation.
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Contact your pediatrician if you find that your child’s constipation continues for more than two weeks or if you find your kid suffering from fever, vomiting, swelling of the abdomen or blood in the stool.

​Often Not-So-Important Acts Lead to Constipation

Pediatricians feel that kids mostly have no medical conditions or reasons for their constipation. It may be due to trivial reasons such as:

• Kids are sometimes scared to pee
• Embarrassed to go outside their homes
• Thoroughly engrossed in doing something and are not interested to interrupt it.
  

Children Ignore to Poop when they are Busy in some Activity

This kind of repeated procrastination makes the stool harder and difficult to pass.

RDNs feel that constipation may be the result of including iron supplements, certain medications, picky eating habits, a steady diet of highly processed, low-fiber foods, minimal fluid intake and decreased physical activity.
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How to Deal with Constipation?
RDN’s worldwide offer these general ideas to deal with constipation:

• Fiber-rich foods are a great choice to decrease constipation problems. Fruits such as pears and apples (with their skin), veggies such as carrots, sugar snap peas and bean and whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat and corn are excellent sources of fiber which should be included in some form to your daily meals. Zucchinis and carrots can be grated and added to casseroles, soups, curries or sandwiches. Don’t stop feeding children with these foods just because they reject them initially. Make your kids accompany you to grocery shopping and ask them to lend a helping hand in preparing some of the dishes. This will kindle their interest and make them accept these foods easily.
• Dried, fresh or frozen fruits are smart snacking options. You can also go for a nutritious fruit smoothie by mixing fruit with low-fat, unsweetened yogurt. Boost the fiber content of the smoothie with a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds added to it.
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. It will help soften stools and make it easier for them to pass.
• Nutritionists recommend a warm drink or a warm whole-grain cereal in the morning which may trigger the ‘urge’ a bit more. Don’t rush or urge your kids to use the bathroom just after breakfast. Doctors propose that kids often go 30 to 60 minutes after their meal.
• Make bathroom breaks a pleasant one for your kids. Praise your kids with remarks and treats for using the toilet during potty training.