Becoming a mother is a wonderful experience, one that opens the door to a multitude of new experiences. Just like taking birth education classes before the big day, it is helpful to have some information about common issues before they arise. Although it is very normal for elimination habits to change significantly as a child develops, this kind of change tends to be a cause for alarm. We will cover some general guidelines for identifying and relieving constipation at home. This is part of a series of informative articles about lessons every mother needs to learn.
What is constipation?
Constipation is defined as a significant delay or difficulty in the elimination of stool. Newborn babies have frequent changes in their elimination patterns and these changes usually coincide with developmental growth spurts. For children who are on a regular diet of solid food, constipation is usually accompanied by dry, dark stool and its elimination can be painful. The child may try to avoid passing stool in order to avoid the pain, making the problem even worse. In general, a normal, healthy child can go up to five days between bowel movements. But, if you as a parent feel that something is just not right, give your healthcare provider a call.
What causes constipation?
Constipation is most often caused by diet. It may also be a side effect of a medication, a sign of stress, or it could be an ongoing result of a sedentary lifestyle. The first cause you need to investigate is dehydration. Is your child drinking plenty of water and eating a good supply of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains? Or, is she like most children her age who fill up on sugary juices, sodas, and salty snacks? The common signs of dehydration are a sunken appearance of the eyes and other facial features in addition to loose skin taking some time to go back to normal after being pinched and released.
What should I do?
The first thing you should do is start keeping track of what's happening. Documenting the time and condition of the child's elimination habits as well as any food or drink she has, including the quantity and time. If the child has a fever, this may be a sign of an infection or bowel obstruction and should be documented as well. In this case, it would be best to get in touch with your healthcare provider, especially if the child is in pain. Sometimes you can isolate the cause by looking closely at what the child ate or drank before an instance of painful elimination. Giving her a warm bath and massaging her abdomen are unobtrusive ways to get things moving along. Many mothers have had success with sneaking some oils into the diet. The most effective way to solve this problem is to investigate the cause and eliminate it.
How can we avoid constipation?
Think lubrication. Although most parents prefer not to offer drinks until after the child has finished their meal, drinks are just as important as food. Our bodies are made up mostly of water and so it only makes sense that we should drink plenty of fluids. But be careful because not all fluids will help you avoid dehydration. It is a good idea for your children to get used to drinking water. Sugary juices and sodas do nothing to help their bodies and many include diuretics which actually pull fluids out of their bodies. Nothing quenches your thirst quite the way a glass of crystal clear cool water does; get this healthy habit started early.
What foods should we eat or avoid?
While maintaining good hydration is a primary concern, we also want to ensure normal elimination patterns. The foods that will help prevent constipation include vegetables like peas, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and spinach. The fruits that have enough fiber and water content to combat constipation include figs, raisins, peaches, pears and plums. It is important to your overall health to maintain a good balance of fiber-rich foods. Some grains that are popular include bran cereal and muffins, shredded wheat, graham crackers, oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread, popcorn and other cereals.
Be careful to limit the sugar content of these items as a high sugar content could be contributing to the problem. Another known cause of constipation is dairy products; try limiting or eliminating milk, cheese, and ice cream. If this makes the difference, your child may have a lactose intolerance issue. Other foods that are known to cause constipation are those high in starch such as bread, pasta, pretzels, crackers, mashed potatoes, apples and applesauce, bananas, white rice, carrots, and squash. These foods are fine in moderation, but should be limited if constipation recurs.
More Information - Although these guidelines have been compiled from trusted sources, it is advisable for you to discuss this topic with your healthcare provider. Wash your hands frequently and instill this habit in your children as well, particularly before and after meals and after using the restroom. To prevent constipation for you and your family, promote water as the thirst-quencher of choice, serve fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and encourage an active lifestyle. This combination will ensure the optimal health of all of your family members for years to come.
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