Toddler Constipation Remedies

Constipation in toddlers is common, but fret not, there are many constipation remedies, which can be of help to your little one. Read further to know about toddler constipation cures.
Constipation is a condition, when the child has no bowel movements or finds it difficult to pass stools or has pebble like hard stools. Although common, it is not a very good situation to deal with, when you see the little one agonized. Before we turn towards toddler constipation remedies, let's see what are causes of constipation in toddlers.

Causes of Constipation in Toddler

Here are some of the common causes of constipation in toddlers.
  • One of the common causes of constipation is diet low in fiber.
  • Toddlers normally consume a lot of dairy products like milk, which causes constipation.
  • Insufficient consumption of water also causes constipation.
  • Ignoring the urge of visiting the washroom and relieving themselves.
  • If a child has trouble passing stools, he will avoid passing stools in order to avoid the pain.
Constipation in Toddlers: Home Remedies

There are a number of home remedies for constipation in toddlers, which can be of immense help to your baby. As a parent, you will have to monitor your child's eating habits. You will have to make some dietary changes. There are certain foods, which are known to cause constipation in toddlers. Foods like white bread, meat, dairy products inclusive of ice creams, cheese, bananas, polished white rice, etc. are the foods, which you should keep your children away from. Chips and various kinds of ready-made snacks should also be excluded from your child's diet.

Increase the amount of fluids, that are consumed by your child. You can give various fruit and vegetable juice to your child. You can give your child prune juice. Toddler constipation is normally relieved with it or you may also give your child apple juice. However, do not give your child any aerated drinks. As far as possible the vegetable and fruit juices should be made at home, do not use the ready-made ones. The ready juices may not be as healthy.

Make sure you feed your child with a lot of bran and cereals. This is a wonderful toddler constipation remedy. Give your child food items like bran cereals, bran muffins, shredded wheat, whole wheat bread or bran crackers. They will help in bowel movements and relieve your child of constipation. Along with bran and cereal, make sure you give your child a lot of vegetables and fruits. One of the simple toddler constipation cures is adding a teaspoon of flaxseed oil to your child's cereal, only once a day.

There are a number of stool softeners, which you serve as a constipation cure for your child. These stool softeners are not like laxatives. You child will not get addicted to them. You may not have to give it more than once, or may be up to maximum twice, in case of severe constipation. If your child has diarrhea, it is a sign that you will have to reduce the dosage of the stool softeners.

Soy milk is known to reduce constipation. Instead of the regular milk, you can give your child soy milk. There are chances that the child will not like the taste of soy milk. So you can instead give your child, flavored soy milk. There are many flavors, which are available.

It is not a toddler constipation cure per se, but you will have to make sure, you potty train your child well. Your child should use the potty once a day. You can choose to fix a potty time for your child, may be half an hour after meal.

If these toddler constipation remedies, do not work for your child, do not give your child over the counter laxatives, as they are harmful and can especially be harmful for young children. You may have to take your child to a pediatrician. There can be something, which you are not able to notice, that is causing the problem. At the same time,if your young one passes blood with the stools or has pain, it can be a sign of internal injury. In all such cases, it is best to visit the pediatrician at the earliest.
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Last Updated: 10/10/2011
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