Has difficulty passing stool Passes hard, dry stool with or without blood on it Passes stool less than three times per week Has pain while passing stool Is nauseous Has abdominal pain Passes small amounts of liquid or clay-like stool. You may find this also in the child’s underwear.
Not engaging in regular physical activity Eating a low fiber diet Frequent dehydration Taking medications that increase the risk of constipation, such as some antidepressants Having a medical problem with the anus or rectum Having family members are also prone to constipation Having neurological problems, such as cerebral palsy Having emotional issues or new causes of stress Having an underactive thyroid or other metabolic problem
Fever Vomiting Bloody stools A distended abdomen Weight loss Areas where the skin around the anus has ripped open A rectal prolapse, in which the intestines are coming out of the anus Frequent or painful urination, which can be a sign of a urinary tract infection. This is common in children with constipation. Poor appetite. Severe or constant abdominal pain.
Milk may cause constipation in some children. Avoid giving your child caffeinated drinks like tea and coke. [6] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source The amount of water children need varies based on age, activity levels, and the climates in which they live. However, if your child is tired and passes cloudy or dark urine, this indicates that he or he is dehydrated.
Approximately 20 g of fiber per day for young children About 29 g per day for teenage girls Roughly 38 g per day for teenage boys
Prunes Peaches Pears Plums Apples Apricots Raspberries Strawberries Beans Peas Spinach
Milk and dairy products for some children Carrots, squash, potatoes, bananas, and other foods with a high starch content Highly processed foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt, but low in fiber will also increase a child’s tendency to become constipated. Those foods will make the child feel full and they are likely to pass up other, healthier, high-fiber foods.
Taking your child to a playground to run around Encouraging bike riding Going swimming
Use deep breathing to help your child concentrate on relaxing his or her muscles. Have your child imagine relaxing images or a bowel movement that isn’t painful. Gently massage your child’s belly before he or she tries to have a bowel movement Be supportive and reward your child for trying. You can give a small reward such as stickers or playing his or her favorite game. Provide a stool so that your child’s knees are above his or her hips. This may make the bowel movement easier.
The doctor will recommend a dosage that is tailored to your child’s age and weight. Common fiber supplements are Metamucil and Citrucel. These work best when your child also drinks at least a liter of water per day. Glycerin suppositories may also help when used occasionally.
A home remedy of mineral oil Bulk-forming laxatives (Ispaghula husk, Methylcellulose, Sterculia) which cause the body to retain fluid and form wetter stools Osmotic laxatives (Lactulose, Macrogols, MiraLax) which help the body pass stool by putting more liquid in the bowels Stimulant laxatives (Senna, Bisacodyl, Sodium Picosulphate). These are used when the stools are soft enough to pass but your child’s body isn’t passing them. These medications stimulate the muscles in the digestive tract to contract and push waste along towards the end. They are generally a last resort for treating constipation in children and used only short term in most cases. [16] X Research source
A suppository is medication that is inserted in capsule form into the anus where it dissolves and is absorbed. Bisacodyl and Glycerine are often given as a suppository. An enema is medication in fluid form that is introduced into the large intestines via the anus. This is usually the most effective way to quickly clear out impacted stool.
