A Guide For Parents Fighting Constipation Toddler Issues
One of the most frustrating problems a parent needs to deal with is constipation toddler problems. Constipation pain with toddlers can be brought back to four reasons:
* Eating foods that lack fiber. * Drinking milk that goes beyond the recommended daily amount of 12-16oz. * Not getting enough water during the day. * Ignoring the need to go to the bathroom or waiting too long.
Heres the kicker. After you begin to recognize constipation symptoms in your child, youll also notice that that they are holding bowel movements. The reason being is that their stools have become hard and painful and they end up holding it in to avoid the pain.
If you want to know which treatment will help your toddler, read this article for more information.
Focusing on a step-by-step approach that emphasizes what your toddler is eating and drinking is the best constipation remedy.
Let me explain:
1. Juice, milk and water – These are things your toddler should drink enough off during the day. Being dehydrated will make the stools harder, this is especially the case during hot weather.
The rule of thumb recommended by pediatricians is to take note of how often your child urinates. Urinating at least every three hours when awake generally means he or she is getting enough to drink.
2. Load up on the fiber. Remember, fresh fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. Your child needs three servings of vegetables a day along side of two servings of fruit.
If your child is a picky eater, try a variety of breakfast bars and cereals rich in fiber. Plus giving him or her apples, bananas and peanut butter can help end constipation toddler issues.
Also, to help stools absorb more water, you can give your child supplemental fiber such as Metamucil that allows fecal matter to flow gently through the colon.
3. You could give your child 2 tsps of vegetable oil every day. This will add a coating to the stool which helps it slide through the intestines much easier.
Increase by 1tsp every other day until your childs stool is soft and the rectum has healed. Understand that mineral oil will taste disgusting to your child, so mix it with a shake, juice, ice cream or even Jell-O.
4. Get into the routine of having your child sit on the toilet for 5 to 10 minutes after eating. Its important that your child get out of the habit of resisting the urge to go to the bathroom due to the pain. This only makes stools harder.
When you follow these guidelines you wont have to battle with constipation toddler issues for much longer. More fiber, avoid dehydration, mineral oil and setting a new bathroom routine are all you may need to give your child a sense of relief and comfort.
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