Healthy Bowel Movements and Constipation in Children

Regular bowel movements are an important sign of a child’s overall health. When a child has difficulty passing stool, it’s called constipation. Constipation is a common problem that can affect children of all ages, even newborns. This article explores solutions for childhood constipation.

What severe signs and symptoms can a baby have of constipation?

A toddler experiencing constipation once or twice is usually not a cause for concern. Nonetheless, there are instances when calling a doctor is essential. As an illustration:

• Less than once a month, a newborn baby poops less frequently than once every day.
• If a baby fed formula acts uncomfortable, cries a lot, or hasn’t had a bowel movement in three days (or if their bowel habits have changed).
• If a kid who is breastfed takes longer than normal to poop.
• if a child under the age of one skips four or five days of puking.
• If the youngster is constipated and has symptoms of vomiting or stomach pain, or if the stool contains blood.
• Home treatments do not work to cure constipation.
• if the youngster keeps the toilet within of him for whatever reason.

Constipation in Babies Aged 0-12 Months

An occasional bout of constipation in a toddler is usually not a cause for concern. However, there are times when seeking medical advice is crucial. Here are some examples:

• A newborn baby has fewer than three bowel movements a week for the first month.
• A formula-fed baby seems uncomfortable, cries excessively, or hasn’t had a bowel movement in three days (or if their bowel habits change significantly).
• A breastfed baby takes longer than usual to have a bowel movement.
• A child under one year old skips bowel movements for four or five days.
• If constipation is accompanied by vomiting, stomach pain, or bloody stools.
• Home remedies aren’t relieving the constipation.
• The child withholds stool for any reason.

Signs of Constipation in Babies Aged 0-12 Month

Just because a baby strains during a bowel movement doesn’t necessarily mean they are constipated. Here are some signs that a baby might be experiencing constipation:

• Stools are hard, loose, or bloody.
• More frequent straining than usual.
• Crying or grunting while trying to pass stool.
• Fussy and irritable behavior.
• Excessive drooling.
• Straining for extended periods (more than ten minutes) during bowel movements.

Causes of Constipation in Babies Aged 0-12 Months

Again, it’s important to remember that infrequent stools in babies aren’t always constipation. Constipation becomes more likely once the baby starts eating solid foods. The rapid introduction of solids after a baby’s initial liquid diet can cause temporary bowel problems as their digestive system (GI tract) adjusts to the new foods.

Babies younger than one month old may also experience constipation if they are not getting enough fluids. If a baby has fewer than one bowel movement a day, constipation may be a concern. So, if your baby’s bowel movements become less frequent, consult your pediatrician.

Treating Constipation in Babies Aged 0-12 Months

There are several approaches to address constipation in children. Depending on the child’s age and your pediatrician’s recommendations, you can try the following:

• Increase Fiber Intake: Once your baby starts solids with breast milk or formula, stick to simple menu items rather than complex or blended ones. Aim for at least two servings of high-fiber foods daily. Examples include peas, prunes, apricots, peaches, pears, ripe papaya, ripe mango, etc.
• Introduce Probiotics: Yogurt is another excellent addition to aid digestion. However, there are a few precautions to take before introducing yogurt. Since yogurt can sometimes irritate little tummies, wait until your baby is seven months old before incorporating yogurt into their regular diet.
• Monitor Fluid Intake: Babies older than six months should consume four to six ounces of water daily. Ensure your child gets enough fluids each day, as dehydration can contribute to constipation.
• Encourage Movement: Provide ample opportunities for playtime and exercise throughout the day, even if your baby can’t move around independently yet. Leg cycling motions can help with digestion and bowel movements.
• Avoid Laxatives and Medications: Don’t use laxatives or constipation medications without consulting a doctor first. Pediatricians generally advise against laxatives and constipation medications for children, so seek professional guidance before using them.

Constipation in Children Over 12 Months

As a child relies more on solid foods, their bowel movements will become more adult-like. Three bowel movements a day are typical for this age group. However, three times a week is also possible. Constipation is a concern if the stool is less frequent than this, hard or dry, and the child experiences pain during bowel movements.

Signs of Constipation in Children Over 12 Months

A child with constipation often exhibits a negative mood. You can determine if the child is constipated based on the following signs:

• If you use the restroom fewer than three times a week, and if the stool is dry and firm
• If the youngster expresses discomfort when attempting to void
• If, after more than 10 minutes of trying, you are still unable to defecate,
• If the young person claims to have a stomach ache while not attempting to urinate,
• If there is blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet

What makes babies older than 12 months constipated?

The same factors that induce constipation in young children can also cause it in adults. Hard stools and trouble passing them can be caused by eating too little fiber, drinking too little water, and spending too much time sitting down rather than moving around.

It may also be brought on by challenges acclimating to a new setting, extended travel, or adjustments to daily schedules.

Constipation might result from consuming an excessive amount of cheese or cow’s milk. Therefore, you might need to cut back on the baby’s milky food intake if you find that their stools are firm and pale in color.

In this context, a child’s actions can also have a significant influence. Stool withholding is the practice of a youngster forcing the toilet in if he is afraid to sit on it when trying to potty train them. Additionally, because of a diaper rash or a virus attack in the toilet, the child wants to use the restroom even though it hurts. 

How to cure constipation in a baby aged older than 12 months

Children can be treated for constipation using the same techniques used for adults.

• Foods high in fiber ought to be provided. Fiber makes the stool heavy and mushy, which facilitates passing the stool. To incorporate more fiber-rich foods into your child’s regular diet, look for new varieties of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and other foods. Ripe papaya, mango, dal, beans, prunes, apricots, peaches, pears, or spinach are a few examples.
• Recognize which foods contribute to constipation. Constipation may result from consuming iron-rich meals. However, iron is a necessary nutrient. Consequently, iron digestion is facilitated by eating foods high in vitamin C along with the appropriate quantity of an iron-rich diet.

• meals containing dairy, refined grains (like pasta and white rice), processed light meals (like chips or biscuits), and some fruits (including carrots, apples, and green beans) might exacerbate constipation. may advise you to consume less food or prohibit it entirely. Keep in mind that each infant has a unique digestive system. It is best to feed the infant less if you notice any stomach issues after feeding it.

• It is important to pay attention to how much water is consumed. It is recommended that children have four glasses of water every day, so ensure they are meeting this requirement. On a doctor’s recommendation, a tiny amount of prune or pear juice may be administered. However, eating fruit or purée straight without adding juice is preferable.

• Youngsters should play games that require physical activity. Walking and running are forms of physical exercise that maintain the digestive system functioning. You can take the youngsters to a yoga class, dance with them at home, or go running and jumping in the field.

• Can temporarily discontinue using the potty. You can think about pausing potty training for a few weeks if the situation gets worse.

• Serve meals high in probiotics. Both young and old can benefit greatly from eating buckwheat. Add a tablespoon or two of sour yogurt to the child’s daily meal plan.

• You can use lubrication. Constipation can frequently be eased by rubbing a little slick substance, such petroleum jelly or Vaseline, into the baby’s anus.

• Regarding over-the-counter (OTC) medication (also known as nonprescription medication), a physician can be consulted. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists certain drugs as safe for use in children, including stimulant laxatives like Senokot, osmotic laxatives like magnesium hydroxide, magnesium citrate, or poly-ethylene glycol 3350 3350, and stool softeners such docusate sodium.

• If dietary or lifestyle modifications do not relieve constipation, these medications may be helpful. However, the child’s physician has to confirm that taking the medication is the proper course of action before administering laxatives or stool softeners.

For both parents and children, experiencing constipation can be quite upsetting. This is typically a problem that can be fixed at home. Consequently, the child should be forced to consume water and foods high in fiber as much as possible.