Children who eat a lot of vegetables are still constipated, why?

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1. Causes of Constipation in Children

Constipation is a condition that often occurs when waste or stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract, causing stool to become hard, dry and difficult to pass. For children, there are many factors that can lead to constipation such as:
Abstaining from going to the toilet: Many children may ignore the need to have a bowel movement because they are afraid to go to the bathroom or do not want to stop their games for a while. intermittent way to go to the toilet. Some children refuse to go to the toilet outside because they are uncomfortable using public restrooms. Painful bowel movements due to hard and large stools can also lead to children being lazy to go to the bathroom. In particular, if the child feels pain every time he has a bowel movement, he or she will tend to hold back from going to the toilet, which will eventually lead to constipation. Toilet training problems: If parents start toilet training too early, children can become rebellious and refuse to use the toilet. If this continues, it will form a bad habit of trying to push stool out of the body, leading to constipation. Dietary changes: A diet that doesn't include enough fiber-rich fruits and vegetables or liquids can cause constipation. One of the more common times when children become constipated is when they transition from an all-liquid diet to one that includes solid foods. Changes in routine: Any change in a child's routine, such as travel, hot weather or stress can affect bowel function. Children are also more likely to be constipated when they first start school and eat day or night meals at school. Medication use: Certain antidepressants and many other medications can contribute to constipation. Cow's milk allergy: An allergy to cow's milk or excessive consumption of dairy products (cheese and cow's milk) sometimes leads to constipation. Family history of constipation: Children with a family history of constipation are more likely to become constipated. This may be due to genetic factors or environmental conditions of that family. A medical problem: Rarely, a child's constipation is an anatomical deformity, a problem with the digestive or metabolic system, or another underlying condition.

2. Children who eat a lot of vegetables are still constipated, why?

Many parents wonder why children eat a lot of vegetables still constipated? Is this an unusual phenomenon and how to solve it? However, children who eat a lot of vegetables are still constipated often due to the following reasons:

2.1. Children who eat a lot of vegetables are still constipated due to wrong supplementation

Green vegetables, in addition to providing vitamins for the baby, are also a source of fiber to help soften stools so that children can easily excrete them. Therefore, parents should note that when feeding babies, they should not only take the water, but also give the baby the "fibrous" part. If the baby is still eating solids, you can puree or mince the mixed vegetables into the powder and food for the baby. For older children, mothers should encourage them to eat whole soups, stir-fried vegetables, vegetable salads, etc. Properly supplementing vegetables will help limit the baby's constipation.

2.2. Baby drinks too little water

Children who eat a lot of vegetables are still constipated, possibly because they are not drinking enough water. If your baby drinks too little water, the digestive process will also become less efficient. Depending on the age of the baby, the mother needs to provide the baby with the corresponding amount of water (according to weight) recommended by the child nutrition experts as follows:
Under 1 year old: 150 ml/kg/day From 1- 5 years old: 100 ml/kg/day From 6-10 years old: 70 ml/kg/day

2.3. Baby is sick

Another cause that can cause your baby to be constipated even though you eat enough green vegetables is that your baby is sick and has to take antibiotics to treat it. Antibiotics can kill beneficial bacteria in the intestines and disturb the baby's weak digestive "machinery". To overcome this, mothers can give their babies yogurt or digestive enzymes. However, parents should also note that they should not arbitrarily use digestive enzymes without consulting a doctor. In addition, birth defects such as colonic aneurysm, intestinal stricture, stenosis or anal fissure also make it difficult for the baby to defecate, leading to constipation. Some diseases such as rickets, malnutrition, anorexia also cause constipation in children. In these cases, the mother needs to take the baby to the doctor for an appropriate treatment plan.

2.4. Baby can't go to the toilet

In addition to physical causes, babies can also suffer from psychological constipation. This situation usually occurs in 3 cases:
New baby potty training: Baby just learning to sit on the potty or use the toilet like an adult is often confused and scared. If parents do not pay attention to recognize and encourage children, it will easily lead to children trying to hold back when there is a need. Over time, constipation will form. New school children: Children who have just entered kindergarten, kindergarten or primary school are often afraid of going to the toilet. For children in kindergartens and kindergartens, changing from a home environment to a completely new one will make them anxious and scared. As for children at the primary stage, they are often not used to going to the toilet alone, so they will also try to "hold". The baby has just been constipated: Children who are just or are constipated, the pain every time they go to the toilet will make them afraid and don't dare to "go" when there is a need. This leads to a "rotational" situation: The baby who is constipated – afraid of going to the toilet – continues to get sick. For cases of psychological constipation, the mother needs to be observant to detect the child's symptoms first. After that, the mother needs to reassure and soothe the baby so that the baby feels comfortable and is no longer "afraid" of going to the toilet.

3. Treatment of children with constipation

Depending on the case of the child with constipation, the doctor may recommend some treatment as follows:
Medicines, over-the-counter fiber supplements or stool softeners: If the child does not If you're getting enough fiber in your diet, take a fiber supplement your doctor prescribes, such as Metamucil or Citrucel. However, children need to drink at least 32 ounces (about 1 liter) of water daily for these products to work properly. Talk to your doctor about the right dose for your baby's age and weight. Medicines containing glycerin can be used to soften stools in children who cannot yet take oral medications. Talk to your baby's doctor about the proper way to use these products. Laxative or enema: If a buildup of stools creates a blockage, your baby's doctor may recommend a laxative or enema to help clear the condition. A laxative or enema should not be given to a child without your doctor's approval and instructions on proper dosage. Hospital enema: Sometimes children can become so constipated that they need to be hospitalized for a short time to receive a stronger enema to clear the (non-reactive) bowel. Parents should note, when the baby is constipated, green vegetables and fiber do not solve the problem, so the question of what vegetables children eat to relieve constipation is not a top priority. In addition to adding green vegetables, the mother needs to add enough water and reassure the child's spirit so that the baby can feel comfortable "dealing" when there is a need.
Parents often try to give their children a lot of green vegetables to avoid the risk of constipation, but in many cases, the baby still encounters this condition, greatly affecting the absorption and development process. baby's all-rounder. The reasons why children are still constipated even though they eat a lot of green vegetables are children not going to the toilet, not drinking enough water, changing their living environment.... Therefore, in addition to adding fiber, parents should also be concerned. Pay more attention to the mental health of the baby so that he can be easier and more comfortable in each bowel movement.
In particular, the baby also needs to add the necessary micronutrients: Zinc, selenium, chromium, vitamins B1 and B6, ginger, acerola fruit extract (vitamin C), ... to improve taste, eat delicious , reach the right height and weight and exceed the standard, have a good immune system, strengthen the resistance to get sick less often and have less digestive problems.
For more nutritional knowledge and child care for each age, parents should regularly visit the website vimec.com and make an appointment with the leading doctors, pediatric and nutrition experts of the National General Hospital. Vinmec when needing advice on children's health.