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Constipation is a common ailment affecting people of all ages. In children, it leads to poor appetite, stunted growth, and various other health issues. Therefore, during this phase, what a child eats and how they eat is crucial as it directly impacts their digestive system and the condition of constipation.
1. Signs of constipation in infants
Hard, Dry Stools
If mothers observe that their child's stool is dry, resembling sausage links or small pellets like goat droppings, constipation should be considered immediately.
Child Fearful of Bowel Movements
Children often scream or cry out when attempting to have a bowel movement. Some children may continuously lift their legs toward their chest as if trying to eliminate stool from their body. Infants may resist by refusing diaper changes or crying when offered breastfeeding.
Difficult Bowel Movements with Abdominal Pain and Nausea
Due to hard stool, children have to strain a lot and experience pain during bowel movements. Additionally, there may be symptoms such as abdominal pain or nausea.
Infrequent Bowel Movements for Several Days
The frequency of a child's bowel movements gradually decreases. For infants, it's typically 2 bowel movements per day, for breastfeeding babies, it's once every 2 days, and for older children, it's approximately once every 3 days.
Child Disinterested in Eating and Slow Growth
Children may lose interest in eating, consume less, and experience slow growth. This can lead to weight loss and even malnutrition.
2. Causes of Child Constipation
There are various factors contributing to constipation in children. Some key causes include the following:
Diet Lacking in Vegetables and Fiber
A diet low in vegetables and fiber is a significant factor causing constipation in children. This is commonly observed in infants transitioning to solid foods. The early solid diet, which is often smooth and low in fiber, can lead to digestion issues. Additionally, introducing a high amount of dairy products like cheese, formula milk, and ice cream can contribute to difficulty in bowel movements. These foods also increase the risk of heart-related issues and other health problems in children. Hence, the question of what should constipated children eat requires attention and consideration.
Child Experiencing Constipation due to Antibiotic Medication
The use of antibiotic medication can reduce intestinal peristalsis in children, leading to constipation.
Child with Limited Physical Activity
In children, as in adults, a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of constipation.
Constipation due to Psychological Stress in Children
Many children may experience constipation due to psychological factors such as fear of getting dirty during bowel movements. This reluctance can lead to withholding stool, resulting in dry and hard feces. Some children may be forced into hygiene practices that create anxiety and resistance. Prolonged stress-induced constipation can lead to the development of aversions to hygiene practices, stool withholding, and ultimately constipation.
Child Afflicted with Various Health Conditions
In some cases, children with poor digestive systems may experience constipation. This could also be due to conditions such as hypothyroidism, or an enlarged colon.
Constipation Caused by Improper Formula Feeding
Formulas with imbalanced nutrient ratios may contribute to constipation in formula-fed infants. Therefore, selecting a gentle formula for infants under 1 year old to support weight gain and prevent constipation is crucial.
3. Top 25 Foods to Help Relieve Child Constipation
Constipation poses various health issues for children. Hence, aside from daily care routines, parents should pay attention to what children with constipation should eat. Alongside daily dietary habits, mothers should incorporate certain powders and nutritious foods during constipation episodes to swiftly alleviate this condition.
3.1. Yogurt
Yogurt always takes the lead in preventing prolonged constipation in children. It contains probiotics, lactobacillus GG, nurturing beneficial bacteria in the intestines. This helps reduce digestive disorders, promoting a healthy and stable digestive system in children. However, not all yogurts contain beneficial bacteria. Therefore, when buying naturally fermented yogurt, mothers should choose those labeled 'probiotic' or 'live bacteria.' Also, it's essential not to give children too much yogurt.
3.2. Dried Plum Juice
Dried plum juice is particularly useful in preventing and treating constipation. A glass of dried plum juice contains up to 2.6g of fiber, making it easy for children to digest. Moreover, the abundant sorbitol content softens the stool and stimulates bowel movements, supporting better digestion. Additionally, the rich minerals, vitamin C, and iron provide essential nutrients for children in this stage.
3.3. Grapefruit
What should a constipated child eat? Grapefruit is the answer for mothers. As a fruit with high vitamin C content, it is excellent for digestion. Therefore, mothers can give children grapefruit to eat or drink grapefruit juice, both effectively treating and preventing constipation in children.
3.4. Banana
Bananas offer numerous health benefits, including preventing and treating constipation. Eating bananas enhances the digestive system, aiding in constipation prevention. Mothers can give children bananas directly or combine them with other foods to make them more appealing.
3.5. Apple
Apples are rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The fiber content stimulates bowel movements and reinforces digestive function, effectively preventing and treating constipation.
3.6. Grape
Grapes have high fiber content, making them highly effective in treating constipation. Moreover, the delicious aroma of grapes is very attractive to children.
3.7. Papaya
Papaya, a fruit rich in vitamin C, enhances digestive capabilities, making it highly effective in treating and preventing constipation.
3.8. Mango
Mango, with its high levels of vitamins and minerals, improves digestive function. The delightful taste of mangoes is also well-loved by children. Mothers can give them directly or blend them into smoothies for the kids to enjoy.
3.9. Avocado
Avocado, a fruit with high nutritional content and rich in fiber, is excellent for children's digestive systems. It effectively treats and prevents constipation. That's why many mothers choose avocado as an ideal weaning food for their children.
3.10. Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is a cooling food, providing excellent results in treating and preventing constipation. Therefore, if a child is constipated, mothers can give them dragon fruit daily for better recovery.
3.11. Apricot
Apricots contain fiber, vitamins A, C, potassium, and various other nutrients. Besides other health benefits, apricots effectively treat and prevent constipation. Mothers can soak them in sugar and give the syrup to their children to treat constipation.
3.12. Watermelon
Rich in fiber and high in vitamin C, watermelon is a top choice as a food for treating and preventing constipation.
3.13. Papaya
With its rich fiber content, papaya is excellent for the digestive system. Mothers can feed their children this fruit to effectively treat and prevent constipation.
3.14. Black Sesame Seeds
Black sesame seeds contain abundant oils, proteins, and phytin, beneficial for bowel movements, promoting an easy bowel process.
3.15. Yam Powder
Yam powder has a cooling effect, aiding in body temperature regulation. It is a great food that supports digestion, effectively preventing and treating constipation.
3.16. Cauliflower
Packed with fiber and vitamin C, cauliflower is an essential food on the list of items supporting and treating constipation. Mothers can prepare delicious cauliflower dishes for their children to enjoy.
3.17. Malabar Spinach
Malabar spinach has a gentle laxative effect, highly effective in treating constipation. Therefore, it is one of the best foods for digestion.
3.18. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard, with its sweet taste and cooling properties, is excellent for the body. Additionally, its high fiber content helps improve constipation in children. Mothers can cook a soft soup for their children to bid farewell to constipation.
3.19. Sweet Corn
Sweet corn with its sweet taste helps cool the body, promotes urination, and is good for digestion. Its abundant fiber content also aids in effectively treating constipation.
3.20. Bean Sprouts
Bean sprouts are rich in fiber and vitamin C, supporting and enhancing digestion, effectively treating constipation.
3.21. Red Pumpkin
Also a high-fiber food for effective constipation treatment. Its high content of vitamins and minerals is why red pumpkin is chosen by many mothers as a complementary baby food. Particularly, a delicious and nutritious baby food option is loc fish porridge with red pumpkin. Mothers can explore various recipes for loc fish porridge with a variety of vegetables to make it more appealing to children.
3.22. Honey
Mothers can combine honey with ingredients like black beans, carrots, and black sesame seeds to prepare dishes for children. Honey helps stabilize and improve the digestive system.
3.23. White Radish
White radish, with its sweet taste and cooling properties, aids in smooth bowel movements and good digestion. Boiling this vegetable for the child to enjoy or giving them radish-infused water is excellent for treating the child's constipation.
3.24. Sweet Potato Leaves
Considered an ideal food in treating constipation, sweet potato leaves are effective due to their high fiber content. Vitamin C and various minerals also support better digestion. Additionally, sweet potato leaves can be prepared into many child-friendly dishes.
3.25. Potatoes
Dishes made from potatoes also support digestion in children very well, effectively preventing constipation. Mothers can boil, mash, or make soup for the child to enjoy.
Here are insights into a child's constipation. With this information, mothers undoubtedly have a clearer understanding of a child's constipation.
