What Is Good For Toddler Constipation

Is It Diarrhea Or Encopresis

Sometimes constipated kids have diarrhea, which can be very confusing for parents. Often this is what is called encopresis.

Encopresis happens when stool is withheld in the intestinal tract and grows very large, stretching the rectum.

Over time, the feeling of having to go may become dulled and your child may not realize he needs to pass a bowel movement.

Sometimes, liquid stool makes its way around the large, hard stool in the rectum and leaks out into the underwear. It often looks like diarrhea, but is really a side effect of significant chronic constipation.

Six Toddler Smoothies To Get Things Moving

Ive shared some pretty tasty toddler smoothies here “How to Make Smoothies for Toddlers Weight Gain“.;

However, now were on a quest for the ultimate smoothie for constipation in toddler tummies.

Many are high-fiber smoothies, with a focus on fruits that encourage healthier stools.

They also dont taste like vegetables, and contribute to adequate hydration.

1. Berry Probiotic Smoothie

The probiotics in yogurt can;help balance out disruptive gut conditions like constipation.

For this triple berry treat, youll need:

• 1/3 cup blueberries ;
• 1/3 cup strawberries;

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender – click for price;and blend until smooth.;

Berries can be a little less sweet than other fruits.

Therefore, you might need to tempt your toddler to drink this by adding a little honey or;turbinado sugar – click for price.

It all depends how ripe the fruit is; see if you can get away without adding any sugar!

2. Grape Goodness Smoothie

A good source of insoluble fiber, grapes are one of the very best foods for constipation.

Like most other fruits, they work best when you leave the skin on.;

This smoothie is really easy to make. All you need is:

• 1 ½ cups frozen grapes;
• 1/3 cup yogurt;
• ½ cup water;

All ingredients can be added at once to blend. Its also worth keeping frozen grapes around as a snack – theyre a great treat for every day.

3. Awesome Avocado Green Smoothie

Despite their creamy texture, avocados are also high in fiber.

Here is what youll need for this smoothie, :

Natural Remedies For Constipation

One of the biggest challenges with toddler constipation is that it can be hard to get a toddler to actually do, eat, and drink the things that they need to help them feel better. So often with anything toddler-related, the more you want them to do something, the less they want to do it! And theres the issue of communicationthey arent always able to articulate what they are feeling.

Which is why having a variety of home remedies for constipation can cover your bases. Id also like to say that having gone through this with my own kiddo, Ive found that a key is staying relaxed as the parent. Know that this can take some time to improve, that bouts of constipation in kids is normal, and that it will likely resolve.

Heres a look at what well cover:

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The 17 Best Foods To Relieve Constipation

About 14% of people experience chronic constipation at some point .

Symptoms include passing stools less than three times per week, straining, lumpy or hard stools, a sensation of incomplete evacuation, feeling blocked, or being unable to pass a stool.

The type and severity of symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people experience constipation only rarely, while its a chronic condition for others.

Constipation has a variety of causes, but its often the result of the slow movement of food through the digestive system.

This may be due to dehydration, a poor diet, medications, illness, diseases affecting the nervous system, or mental disorders.

Fortunately, certain foods can help relieve constipation by adding bulk, softening stool, decreasing gut transit time, and increasing stool frequency.

Here are 17 foods that can help relieve constipation and keep you regular.

Fear Or Other Emotional Causes

Ah, potty training isnt it a delight? In addition to the not-so-joyous elements of poo accidents and setting up camp for hours in the bathroom, potty training comes with difficult emotional aspects for some children.

Toddlers may feel fearful, skeptical, or even embarrassed about using the toilet. Then theres the possibility of feelings of resentment at having to give up the familiarity and convenience of diapers. Any of these negative emotions can lead to minimal output.

Finally, distracted play can make some kids less likely to stop what theyre doing and answer the call of nature because who wouldnt rather stack blocks than visit the boring old potty?

Fortunately, getting your child to better bowel movements doesnt always have to involve major intervention. In many cases, some simple changes can help.

For mild, temporary constipation, try these at-home steps:

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Medical Treatment For Constipation In Babies Toddlers And Children

If home treatments dont improve constipation, your pediatrician may administer a gentle enema to release impacted feces.

Before treatment, your pediatrician will complete a physical examination and check your babys anus for impacted stool. They may ask questions about your childs diet and physical activity to help diagnose constipation.

Medical tests arent usually necessary. In cases of severe or long-term constipation, your pediatrician may order tests to check for problems in your childs abdomen or rectum.

These tests include:

Here are a few tips to help prevent constipation in babies, toddlers, and children:

• Dont give solid foods until your baby is at least 6 months old.
• Aim to serve more high fiber foods, such as beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• Increase your childs water intake to at least 1 liter a day.
• Encourage physical activity, such as riding a bike, kicking a ball, or walking the dog.
• Teach your child not to ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.
• Help your child develop a pattern of using the bathroom after meals. Have them sit on the toilet for about 10 minutes after eating so that bowel movements become a regular part of their routine.

Is Your Child’s Diet Causing Constipation

Paul A. Rufo, MD, MMSc, is an assistant professor of pediatrics and senior investigator in the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Constipation in children is a frustrating problem for many parents, and dietary changes may offer relief. However, sometimes parents don’t realize their children are constipated. It’s easy to mistake the symptoms for a potty training problem in younger children. Older children may complain of stomach aches if they are constipated.

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Best Natural Foods For Constipation

If you see a pediatrician, they might prescribe or recommend laxatives for your child.

Still, there are plenty of foods that can help remedy constipation.

These are also good picks for every child to help prevent poor digestion and sluggish bowels.;

• Apples;
• Yogurt ;

• Avocado;

The majority of these foods are beneficial because they contain fiber and water.

In the end, these are the two most necessary variables for preventing constipation.

Moreover, theyre good sources of many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for healthy kids.

Theres just one problem.

A lot of kids struggle to eat healthy foods, especially green things! Thats why a smoothie for constipation in toddler is really the perfect solution.

How To Treat Your Child’s Constipation

If you think your child may be constipated, take them;to a GP. The treatment for constipation depends on your child’s age.

The longer your child is constipated, the more difficult it can be for them to get back to normal, so make sure you get help early.

Laxatives are often recommended for children who are eating solid foods, alongside diet and lifestyle changes.

It may take several months for the treatments to work, but keep trying until they do. Remember that laxative treatment may make your child’s overflow soiling worse before it gets better.

Once your child’s constipation has been dealt with, it’s important to stop it coming back. A GP may advise that your child keeps taking laxatives for a while to make sure their poo stays soft enough to push out regularly.

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How To Know If Your Toddler Is Constipated

Again, defined broadly, constipation in kids will look like fewer than two successful poops per week. But children can still experience discomfort before things get to this point.

If youre parenting a toddler, you know their verbal skills may not have developed to the point where they can pipe up and say, Im constipated!

Still, the signs and symptoms arent too difficult for parents and caregivers to spot.

Watch out for these indicators of constipation in toddlers:

• stools that are hard, dry, or pebble-like
• straining or pain when trying to pass large pieces of stool
• abdominal pain

Just like with adults, toddlers digestive habits are a delicate balance of multiple factors, from diet to emotional issues to daily routine. Add potty training to the mix and you may find yourself with the perfect storm of digestive delay.

Here are some of the causes of constipation in young kids.

Treating Constipation With Soiling

Getting constipated and soiling their clothes is not something your child is doing on purpose, so there’s no reason to get cross with them.

You may both find the situation stressful, but staying calm and relaxed is the best attitude to help your child deal with the problem.

A health visitor or GP can offer helpful tips.

Read about soiling .

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When A Child Is Constipated

If you see your child struggling pass stool, its possible the he is constipated. When a child suffering from constipation is finally able to pass stool, it may be large and hard or even pellet-like. The American Academy of Pediatrics has published guidelines to help parents figure out if a child is constipated and needs medication.

Babies under six months

The average baby under six months has two to three bowel movements per day. But kids are all a little different, and having one to five stools per day is possible and normal. Formula-fed babies will have fewer bowel movements than breast-fed babies.

Babies between six and 12 months

Slightly older babies have an average of two bowel movements per day. But again, one to five stools per day is possible and normal.

Toddlers one to three years old

A toddler may have between one and three bowel movements per day. Some young children will have bowel movements as infrequently as every other day for a week or two without having problems.

Children over age three

One bowel movement per day is common for preschool-aged kids, but some kids will have two. Others will have a bowel movement every other day without any problems.

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• Leaking stool
• Suppository or enema was needed to get the stool out
• Infrequent stools do not get better after changes to diet. Exception: normal if breastfed infant more than 1 month old and stools are not painful.
• Stool softeners are being used and have not been discussed with your doctor
• Toilet training is in progress
• Painful stools occur 3 or more times after changes to diet
• Constipation is a frequent problem
• You have other questions or concerns

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Signs Your Child May Be Constipated:

• Newborns Firm stool less than once a day
• Older Children Hard compact stools with 3 to 4 days between bowel movements
• Any Age Large, hard and dry stools associated with painful bowel movements.
• Episodes of abdominal pain that is relieved after a larger bowel movement
• Soiling between bowel movements

A child may become constipated for many reasons including, diet, lack of exercise, emotional issues, an underlying physical problem, or he may simply be too busy. Whatever the cause, constipation is a common problem in kids. Making a few diet and lifestyle changes can help treat and prevent constipation. Never give your child an enema, laxative or stool softener without talking to your pediatrician first.

Foods That Ease Constipation

First, make sure your little one is eating non-binding, low-fat foods that are high in fiber like potatoes, raspberries, whole-wheat pasta, avocado and pears. Because fiber is ingested, but not digested, it adds bulk to the stool that makes it pass through the digestive system more easily. And, of course, theres always prune juice. At the first hint of constipation, we would give my boys organic prune juice/apple juice, which we jokingly called crapple juice. But, hey, it did the trick!

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Other Tips That Help Ease Constipation

• Tummy massage Relax the abdominal muscles that support the bladder and intestines by massaging them gently. A bowel movement is stimulated by this process.
• Increase level of activity To stimulate digestion, allow them to exercise or play. Its important to move the body to prevent constipation and promote bowel movement.
• Chiropractic care. The chiropractor has been successful in treating toddler constipation. Research from 2008 has suggested that chiropractic care is beneficial for pediatric patients with chronic constipation.

Constipation Symptoms In Toddlers

On average, toddlers have bowel movements at least once per day. A child who fears pain often tries to hold back their bowel movement. Often times youll see them holding on to their buttocks while crossing their legs. Additionally, they make faces as they try to hold the stool.

The following constipation symptoms in toddlers should make you alarmed:

• Having fewer than three bowel movements a week
• Hard, dry, and difficult to pass bowel movements
• Large unusual stools
• Bowel movements that cause pain
• Pain in the stomach and hard feeling in the stomach when touched
• The presence of liquid or pasty stool in your childs underwear a sign that stool is backed up in the rectum
• Hard stool with blood on the surface

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Foods That Help Relieve Constipation In Infants

Now that you know which foods cause constipation in babies, so avoid incorporating them into your babys diet. If your baby is already suffering from constipation, then include these high-fibre foods in your babys diet. These foods will not only relieve the condition but also prevent it from occurring in future.

Symptoms That Your Baby Is Constipated

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Signs Of Constipation In Children

• saying that it hurts when doing a poo
• showing signs of holding on such as crossing legs, running around, crying or refusing to sit on the toilet
• complaining of tummy pain

• Encourage your child to exercise more.
• Establish a regular toilet routine. Bowel training requires motivation and encouragement. Use a star chart system of rewards to help your child to go and sit on the toilet. This will help your child get used to doing a bowel movement at a similar time each day.
• Discuss the school toilets with the teachers if this is a problem.
• Limit the use of laxatives. They should not be used more than once or twice. They dont solve the underlying problem and may change the way your childs bowels work.
• Use laxatives that increase bulk and fibre in the gut, if you do use them.
• Try to solve the problem quickly the longer your child remains constipated, the worse it may become and the longer it may take to treat.
• See a doctor if constipation is a long-term problem.

What Foods Will Help A Toddler Poop And Prevent Constipation

Many parents have good luck with the time-tested prune juice trick , so that is an option. And think more whole, natural foods versus processed ones. Other natural remedies for constipation to try include:

• Avocado: Offer cubes or slices, mash and spread on toast, put into smoothies. The oil helps to coat the digestive tract and keep things moving as a natural laxative.
• Coconut Oil: Try adding a teaspoon to smoothies or freezer pops, use it to cook vegetables. Some kids like it by the spoonful!
• Coconut butter: Spread it on toast or stir into oatmeal.
• Chia seeds: Try it a coconut chia pudding for fiber and healthy fats in each bite.
• Produce like melon, berries, citrus, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, grapesanything that seems like it has a lot of water in it. Cut and serve as needed to avoid choking hazards.
• All-fruit popsicles usually contain a lot of water and are fun!
• Fiber-rich foodslike oatmeal, whole grain breads, whole grain pastas, and other whole grains. Start slowly if these high in fiber foods are new to your toddler and pair them with healthy fats, water, AND water-rich produce to avoid making the problem worse.
• Foods with probiotics like yogurt, drinkable yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and more.
• Slightly watered down prune juice, pear juice, or apple juice.
• Smoothies with healthy fats, fiber, and hydration.

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