Constipation In Toddlers
Mummy It Hurts! Constipation In Toddlers
It is not unusual to discover constipation in toddlers. For them, it can be a very painful experience. They have little to go on. They cannot understand what is happening. They only know it hurts to poop. What is worse is it becomes a painful cycle. The bowel movements become hard – usually the result of dietary changes. A change in diet is a common cause of constipation, The result, is hard stools and a painful toilet. As a result, he or she holds the feces in. This makes the stool even harder and more difficult to pass. If the toddler continues to suppress, it weakens the bowel muscles. This further aggravates the problem.
Help resolve the difficulty by feeding the toddler the right foods and increasing the amount of fluid intake. A 2-year-old, for example, requires a minimum of 32 ounces of fluid daily. Milk, water and prune, pear or apricot nectar is helpful. Nectar has more pulp and, as a result, more fiber than strained juice.
Add fiber-rich foods to your toddler’s diet. A lack of fiber is one of the causes of constipation. Fiber rich foods should include whole-grain breads, graham crackers, bran cereals and high fiber vegetables. You might want to consider broccoli, beans and peas.
You might want to make a puree of the fiber-fruits. You can then spread it on whole wheat bread. It also works well with crackers. The puree is best if it consists of such fruits as prunes, pears, plums and peaches. These are all foods for constipation.
There is another way to help your child eat and enjoy his or her dose of fiber. You can make it into a rich, creamy smoothie. Use seasonal fruit that appeals to him or her. For extra digestive aid, add a couple of teaspoons of flax oil. This will help to soften the stool. Using this or any of the above approaches should prove helpful in handling the worrisome problem of constipation in toddlers.
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