When a child suffers from constipation, in addition to adjusting their diet, you can take raw sweet potatoes, peel them, wash them thoroughly, mash them, and extract the juice for the child to drink.
Constipation is a common symptom in children characterized by fewer normal bowel movements, accompanied by difficulty and pain during defecation due to hard or oversized stools. If a newborn has fewer than 2 bowel movements per day, a breastfed infant has fewer than 3 bowel movements per week (more than 2 days between bowel movements), or an older child has fewer than 3 bowel movements every 3 days, it is considered constipation.
There are 2 main causes of constipation in children:
1. **Organic causes**: These are rare and typically account for only about 5% of constipation cases. They include congenital defects such as megacolon and hypothyroidism. Children with these conditions often experience constipation very early, right after birth. Additionally, other causes could include anal fissures or hemorrhoids, leading to painful bowel movements and resulting in anal spasms.
2. **Functional causes**: The main reason here is dietary errors, such as inadequate fluid intake leading to dehydration, excessive protein intake with insufficient fiber (due to low consumption of green vegetables and ripe fruits), overly concentrated milk formulas, or insufficient daily food quantities. Children who are formula-fed are more prone to constipation than those who are breastfed. If a mother is constipated, her breastfed child is also likely to be constipated. Older children may develop a habit of withholding bowel movements due to fear of getting dirty or reluctance to go, contributing to constipation.
Management of Constipation in Children:
Ensure the child consumes adequate daily quantities of food and drinks plenty of water.
Encourage the consumption of plenty of green vegetables and fruits (choose vegetables with laxative properties such as sweet potato leaves, amaranth, and other leafy greens). When preparing porridge or rice, make sure to include the solid portions for the child to eat. Fruits such as bananas, papayas, grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, and dragon fruit are also beneficial. Avoid giving children carrots, persimmons, or apples when they are already constipated.
For children who are formula-fed and experience constipation: dilute the formula slightly more than usual and consider adding a teaspoon of fruit juice (such as orange or tangerine) to the milk, or use porridge water to dilute the formula for children over 5 months old.
Mothers who are constipated while breastfeeding should address their own constipation by consuming more fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water.
Gently massage the child’s stomach along the colon from right to left, 3-4 times a day between meals to stimulate intestinal motility.
Encourage a habit of eating more vegetables: finely chop and cook vegetables in soups or boil them for the child to eat first. Preschool-aged children need about 100-150 grams of vegetables per day. Include segments of fruits such as tangerines, grapefruit, papayas, bananas, and dragon fruit in their diet.
Maintaining proper bowel hygiene is crucial: train the child to have regular bowel movements at set times, preferably after meals when intestinal activity is heightened. Avoid allowing the child to sit on the potty or toilet for extended periods.
In cases of constipation caused by anal fissures: clean the anal area and apply a 2% silver nitrate solution.
Treat conditions such as rickets, malnutrition, and anemia if present.
If the above measures do not yield results, medications may be necessary (such as Paraffin oil): 5-10 ml for younger children, and 10-20 ml for older children in the morning. Enemas should be a last resort; use warm water mixed with glycerin, 30-40 ml for children under 1 year, and 100-250 ml for children over 1 year.
When to Take the Child to the Hospital:
– If constipation lasts longer than a week and dietary changes have no effect.
– If constipation occurs in a newborn with abdominal distension.
– If constipation affects the child’s health: poor appetite, weight loss, malnutrition, accompanied by vomiting.
