As a parent, toddler constipation
is something you will have to deal with
at sometime during your child's toddler
years.
It is important to remember when it comes
to a toddler's bowel movements there is no
“normal” number.
Individual patterns depend on what your
child eats, drinks, how active they are and
how quickly they digest food and get rid of
waste.
There are several clues to look for if
you think your child is constipated.
The first clue to look for is if your
toddler is passing dry hard stools that are
uncomfortable to pass.
If your toddler has this, more than
likely, they are not drinking enough fluids
or eating enough fiber. It is important for
your child to stay hydrated especially in
hot weather.
Toddlers, particularly, can get too
“busy” to remember to take in an adequate
amount of fluid each day. Remember to
frequently offer your toddler a drink of
water, milk or juice, especially if your
toddler is experiencing constipation.
However, be careful that milk is not the
only fluid of choice, since it can be
constipating.
Increasing your child's fiber intake will
also help with toddler constipation.
Fresh fruits, like bananas or apples,
vegetables, such as peas, whole grain bread
or muffins are just some of the ways to help
increase the fiber in your child's diet.
Another clue to look for if you think
your child is constipated is simply the
presence of less frequent bowel movement. If
your toddler has not had a bowel movement in
one to four days and is obviously
uncomfortable when they do have a bowel
movement they may be constipated.
Encouraging your child to sit on the
toilet after meals may help your toddler
avoid not going to the bathroom.
After your toddler has a painful bowel
movement, they have the tendency to avoid
going to the bathroom and as we all know,
this will only intensify the problem causing
the stool to become harder and larger and
more difficult to pass causing even more
pain.
Very liquid stools are the third clue to
look for if you think your toddler is
constipated. Liquid stools can slip past the
blockage of the dry hard stool in the lower
intestine and be present in your toddler's
underwear or diaper.
Many parents assume incorrectly this is
diarrhea; however, it may be evidence of
constipation.
Toddler constipation can be
upsetting for both parent and child. Keeping
your toddler calm during potty training will
lessen the anxiety they may have while
sitting on the toilet.
Most toddler constipation
is related to diet. However, you should talk
to your toddler's doctor about treatment
options.
It is important to remember that you
should not treat your toddler's constipation
with over the counter laxatives without
first talking with your child's
pediatrician. With the proper treatment, in
no time your child will have soft
comfortable stools again.
