Some children don’t like having bowel movements, perhaps
because they have felt pain before, and now resist going. This resistance can cause constipation as the
feces become hard and compacted, making bowel movements even more painful.
Here are some questions you can ask to determine whether
your child is constipated or not.
• have they
had a bowel movement in the past few days?
• have they
had less than their normal amount of bowel movements this week?
• were
their stools hard and dry?
• was it
painful for them to pass?
• do they
have stomach cramps or a distended stomach?
• are they
complaining of being nauseous?
• are they
losing weight?
• have they
been vomiting for no apparent reason?
• are their
underpants regularly soiled with claylike or liquid feces?
If you have answered yes to several of the above then you’ll
know you need to take action and help your child. You can’t make your child have a bowel movement
so what can you do?
Get your child to drink more fluids, preferably water.
• If they
are severely constipated and over nine months of age then some prune juice
mixed with water should sort them out overnight.
• Make sure
their diet is high in fiber – try giving them some dried fruit or grapes and
reduce the amount of dairy they have.
• Reduce
their sugar intake
• Licorice
can have a laxative effect and is a better option than medication which should
only be given with your physician’s approval.
• Make sure
they are getting enough exercise – it may be reflection of a sluggish
metabolism.
• Encourage
them to go as soon as they feel the need.
• If they
just don’t like it then talk about the importance of having regular bowel
movements and how everyone does it.
• Encourage
your child to sit on the potty for ten minutes an hour or so after each meal to
see if you can encourage some regularity.
• Make sure
your child can rest their feet on a stool or the floor so that they feel stable
and balanced and can easily push.
• Try to
make having a bowel movement more pleasant for your child by encouraging them
to read a book or listen to music while they sit.
If the constipation doesn’t go away then it is best to see
your family doctor for advice as it may be indicative of something more
serious.
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