Guide to taking care of children with constipation

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Le Thu Phuong - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Constipation in children is a common condition in young children. In addition to the use of supportive drugs, parents should also pay attention in choosing the right care for their children.

1. What are the common problems associated with constipation in children?

These symptoms can occur when the child is constipated:
The child has burning pain when going to the toilet: The stool becomes hard, causing the child's anus to tear causing pain and bleeding, more dangerous is When children are afraid of pain, they will try to hold back from going to the toilet, which leads to more severe constipation. Uncontrolled fecal incontinence: Once a child is constipated, it means that intestinal fluid will accumulate around the hard stool causing obstruction. In the case of a lot of fluid, it will cause symptoms of loose stools, causing children to have a lot of constipation, often hard stools. In addition, abdominal pain around the navel can also occur in children with constipation, even repeated many times. If the constipation is severe and persistent, the child may have difficulty urinating, frequent urination, bed-wetting, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, anorexia, slow weight gain, or malnutrition.

2. Why do children get constipated?

Refusing to go to the bathroom is a common cause in young children. Holding a bowel movement for too long causes the stool to become dry and hard, causing the child to feel pain and burning every time he goes to the toilet.
When suddenly switching from breast milk to solid foods also causes constipation in babies.
Constipation in children can occur in children who do not get enough fiber. The foods rich in fiber that we eat every day such as vegetables, fruits, ... will help stimulate the intestines to work, creating regular and regular bowel movements.
If children live in a home with a stressful atmosphere, there is a high chance of constipation.
The use of some diarrhea and cough medicines containing codeine and antiepileptic drugs can cause constipation in children.
Some diseases such as hypothyroidism, Hirschsprung , Down, diabetes, electrolyte disorders in the blood, chronic lead poisoning, growth retardation, polio, spinal diseases will also increase constipation in people. young.

3. What to do when the child is constipated?

3.1 What should children with constipation eat? For babies who are breastfed, it is important to first assess whether the baby is getting enough milk. After that, the mother's diet will be adjusted as well as minimizing unhealthy foods such as hot spicy foods, stimulants. In particular, it is advisable to increase the amount of fiber from vegetables and fruits. Besides, for mothers who are breastfeeding, they should solve the problem of constipation by adding fresh green vegetables and fruits, and drinking enough water.
If the baby is formula-fed, care should be taken to prepare the formula according to the instructions. In addition, parents also need to consider and choose the right type of milk for their children.
Drinking enough water will relieve constipation. The addition of water also depends on the condition of the child.
Add enough fiber in your child's daily diet. Green vegetables, ripe fruits: Sweet potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, ... are foods that contain a lot of fiber. Absolutely do not let children eat guava, sapodilla, carbonated drinks, coffee and limit eating sweets.
If the child refuses to eat vegetables, parents can supplement the child's fiber with smoothies from vegetables and fruits.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe the child to use laxatives.
3.2 How to care for children with constipation When children are constipated, parents can refer to some movements such as rubbing the child's belly from right to left clockwise, 3 to 4 times a day. in the interval between two meals. Bicycle exercise: hold the child's knees gently, bend the right leg slowly towards the right shoulder, then straighten the leg and bend the left leg towards the left shoulder in the same way. Let children run, play, exercise, and do sports regularly to strengthen the abdominal and anal muscles.
Teach children the habit of going to the toilet at the prescribed time, usually after a meal.
In case the child has anal fissures, the anus should be cleaned. In addition, you can use some medications prescribed by your doctor, if any.

4. How to prevent constipation in children?

Always monitor children's defecation daily Advise children not to go outside Implement a diet rich in green vegetables, encourage children to drink a lot of water Actively allow children to participate in outdoor physical activities, avoid Children sit too long. Especially when parents detect abnormal signs in children such as pain in the anal area when having bowel movements, hemorrhoids, anal fissures accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, fear of cold, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever , bloody stools... Then take the child to a medical facility for examination, diagnosis as well as appropriate treatment. At Vinmec Times City International Hospital, pediatric patients will be examined by gastrointestinal endoscopy to accurately diagnose constipation in children as well as digestive disorders.
Besides, parents should pay attention to nutrition to improve resistance for children. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
Please visit the website Vinmec.com regularly and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.