Constipation
- Pain or crying when passing a stool
- No bowel movement for 10 minutes after straining or pushing.
- 3 or more days without a bowel movement
- Normal Range: 3 per day to 1 every two days
- Once children are on normal table foods, their stool pattern is like adults
Causes of Constipation
- High milk diet
- Low fiber diet
- Less fluid intake
- Lack of exercise
- Holding back stools because of pain or power struggles
- Slow passage of food through the intestines – most often, this type runs in families & the condition is called Slow Transit Constipation
Treatment
- Diet for Infants Under 1 Year Old :
- Age over 1 month old who is on breast milk or formula – add pear or apple juice or fruit juice
- Age over 4 months: add baby foods such as are peas, beans, apricots, prune, peaches, pears, or plums, i.e. high fiber foods twice a day.
- Diet for Age Over 8 months Old:
- On finger foods – add cereals and small pieces of fresh fruit
- Diet for Children Over 1 Year Old:
- Increase fruit juice (apple, pear, cherry, grape, prune)
- Add fruits and vegetables high in fiber content such as peas, beans, broccoli, bananas, apricots, peaches, pears, figs, prunes, or dates
- Increase whole grain foods
- Limit milk products to 3 servings per day
- For holding habit;
- Use rewards to help your child give up this bad habit
- Treats and hugs always work better
- Avoid any pressure or punishment
- Encourage Sitting on the Toilet and Set up a normal stool routine
- Have your child sit on the toilet for 10 minutes after meals
- Stool Softeners (Age Over 1 Year Old):
- If a change in diet doesn’t help, child may benefit from stool softener such as MiraLax or Fiber products such as Benefiber
Call Your Doctor If:
- Constipation lasts more than 1 week after making changes to diet
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child symptoms becomes worse
