Natural Laxatives for Children

Is your child suffering from constipation? Constipation is the hardening of stools and the difficulty in passing the stool. The frequency of passing the stools is also decreased in constipation. It is quite obvious with many children suffering from constipation, that they are sometimes reluctant to pass the stool and are not ready to sit on the toilet seat. The very first cause of your child suffering from constipation can be emotional. This means, that if your child is emotionally upset, he/she can suffer from diarrhea or constipation. Another reason for constipation in your child can be that he is not drinking enough fluids to improve the bowel movement. Lastly, your child is not consuming foods rich in fiber. Foods rich in fiber soften the stools and help to cure constipation.

Natural Laxatives for Infants

If your baby is suffering from constipation, you must have immediate consultation of a doctor. There are certain natural laxatives for infants (over six months) that may help. Fruits and vegetables in the daily diet of these infants increase the fiber intake and help to reduce the constipation in your child. Prune juice diluted in water (3 tablespoons), can be fed to the baby three times a week. Prune juice for constipation is recommended by many doctors. Stewed apricot and prunes also constitute for one of the best infant constipation remedies. Apart from all this, consult a doctor before you go for any of these.

Natural Laxatives for Older Children

Drinking Fluids
Drinking ample amount of fluids and water is very much beneficial. Water is a natural laxative as it softens the stools. You must insist your child to drink water from time to time throughout the day. Even if the child is eating high fiber foods, he/she must consume enough water. The colon in the human body is the fluid regulator of the body. Children drinking less water suffer from constipation because, the colon does not get sufficient water and extracts the water needed by body from the waste material. This leads to constipation in your child. Therefore, ask your child to drink water from time to time.

Fibers in Food
Children must be given balanced diet which contains fiber. Older babies can have bran cereals or whole grain breads. Include vegetables high in fiber like broccoli, beans and peas in your child's daily diet.

Glycerin
Liquid glycerin is gently inserted in the baby's rectum to stimulate the rectum muscles of the baby's body. In addition, there are glycerin suppositories available in the market, which acts as a laxative for babies.

Psyllium Husks
Psyllium husks are available at any nutrition store. Psyllium husks nothing but flakes of psyllium bran. This is a bland laxative and can be sprinkled on your child's cereal. Not more than one teaspoon of psyllium bran is recommended for toddlers and children.

Flax Seeds and Flax Oil
Flax helps to maintain a healthy colon, and the seeds are high in fiber and help relieve constipation in children. They can be mixed with some cereal and given to your child. Cereals or some other high fiber foods can be used to mix the flax seeds, to increase the fiber intake of children. There are a lot more other benefits of flaxseed oil.

These natural laxatives are not only effective, but also safe. However, you must consult a doctor before you start off with any of them.