Constipation

Constipation refers to difficulty in passing stools and painful bowel movements. It does not necessarily refer to the infrequency of bowel movements, because bowel movements vary from child to child. Some children do not have bowel movements for 2 to 3 days but are not constipated. Some others have frequent bowel movements but are still constipated.

Causes

Constipation occurs if the child does not follow regular bowel habits or withholds stools. If the child withholds stools, she will not have an urge to pass stools, until the stool is too large to be passed. Constipation is also due to dietary habits of the child. Intake of high fat and low fibre diet, that is, too much of whole milk, lot of other dairy products, and less of fruits and vegetables lead to constipation. Switching over from formula to cow’s milk may cause constipation in 6 to 12 month babies. Usually breast milk fed babies do not face this problem. If at all they are constipated, the reason is something other than the diet. So do not substitute formula or cow’s milk for breast milk without doctor’s advice.

Prevention

Help your child establish regular bowel habits through toilet training. Urge him to sit on the toilet after breakfast daily for up to 15 minutes or until he has a bowel movement. Add more of high-fibre food in his daily diet. High-fibre food includes fruits like plums, apricot, prunes, raisins, vegetables like peas, beans and whole-grain cereals. Increase the daily consumption of water. To find when constipation occurs in your child, parents should be familiar with the child’s normal bowel patterns and the regular size and consistency of his stools.

Treatment

Once you find your child has the problem of constipation, make changes in her diet. Switch over from whole milk to low fat milk and also reduce the quantity of milk intake. Substitute milk with calcium rich fruits and vegetables so that the child does not face calcium deficiency. Supply the child with high-fibre food and give her toilet training daily after breakfast for up to 15 minutes or until she has a bowel movement. With a combination of right diet and right bowel habits, if the child still has the problem of constipation, she may be consciously withholding stool. In such cases, the paediatrician must be consulted.