home remedies for constipation in kids

constipation in kids

home remedies for constipation in kids

Sometimes constipation will resolve if the issues discussed in Why Constipation Develops are addressed by changing diet, fluid intake, position, and behavior. Sometimes medication is needed for a short time. Sometimes medication is needed chronically. If your child is experiencing constipation, you can try to modify some of the factors discussed above. You should seek medical care for your child if they are severely constipated, having significant vomiting or abdominal pain, having blood in their bowel movements and/or not responding to your treatment efforts. If your child is very young (under 4 months) or if your child has complex medical issues or severe constipation; talk with you clinician. However if your child has mild to moderate symptoms and is over 4 months, you might consider some of these treatment options.

1. Freshen up from the inside out

Ah the scent of a fresh lemon…did you ever think your stomach might appreciate it as much as your nose? The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant for your digestive system, and can also help flush out toxins and undigested material that may have built up along the walls of the colon. Mixing the juice with water not only lessens the intensity of the lemon flavor, but helps get you the fluids you need to get everything moving normally again.

You will need…

-1 fresh lemon

-1 cup of warm water

Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into 1 cup of warm water. Drink or sip until finished completely.

 2.Go natural (aka fiber, fiber, and more fiber)

You’ll hear people talk a lot about how a natural diet helps relieve and prevent constipation. An overall healthy diet just improves everything, and our bodies know how to process fruits, veggies, grains and roughage more than the refined or artificial foods that don’t pass as easily. To get more specific, natural foods tend to contain boatloads of fiber-that magical word that signifies the end of toilet suffrage. In short, fiber is material that cannot be digested, and it acts like a sponge. It draws water from its surroundings, making it swell, which softens stool and adds bulk to it, which in turn helps it pass. Like coffee, some kinds of fiber (like beans) can contribute to constipation, so always drink plenty of water. Some good fiber-filled foods include-

-Beans

-Apricots

-Whole grain bread

-Berries

-Broccoli

-Plums, pears, and apples

-nuts

-Potatoes (skip the fries though)

3. Establish a routine

Potty schedules aren’t just for puppies, they’re a great way to relieve and prevent constipation in humans too. Regulating the timing of when you go to the bathroom will regulate your bowel movements as well. Set aside about 15 minutes anywhere from 1-3 times a day, and take your time, even if nothing happens. Make sure you stay relaxed, and eventually your body will catch on.

4. Baking soda does it all

Baking soda lies at the heart of home remedies. It’s is so incredibly versatile, and it pretty much does its job 95% of the time. It works incredibly well for constipation (and tummy aches in general) because it is a bicarbonate, which will encourage air to come out of you one way or another, and relieve pain from pressure. It also re-alkalizes the stomach, neutralizing the acid a little bit and helping things pass through your gut.

You will need…

-1 teaspoon baking soda

-1/4 cup warm water

Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with ¼ cup of warm water. Drink all of the mixture-the quicker you finish it, the better it seems to work.

5. Heed natures call

This is a preventative measure to help ward off those uncomfortable bouts of constipation in the future, and it’s pretty straightforward. When you need to go to the bathroom-go! Your body is giving you the signal for a reason, and it’s a good idea to listen. The longer you hold it in, the more water is absorbed from the stool, and the harder it becomes. You’re body also only sends the signal to have a bowel movement for a certain amount of time, after a certain amount of time. That’s why if you have to go really badly and don’t, you stop feeling like you have to go. Delay the duty and you may not get the heads up to go until you’re even more clogged.

6. Dandy Dandelions

Dandelions are a terribly annoying weed, but you might view them differently after they help relieve your constipation. The constituents of dandelions make it a gentle laxative as well as an effective detoxifier, and a cup of dandelion tea will be enormously beneficial to those who are suffering from constipation due to inactiveness or the consumption of a lot of processed foods (although drinking it does not mean you don’t need to exercise or eat healthy!)

You will need…

-1-2 teaspoons of dried dandelion leaves

-1 cup of hot water

Put 1-2 teaspoons of dried dandelion leaves into a mug, and pour hot water over them. Cover and let steep for 6-10 minutes. Drink up to 3 times a day

7.High-fiber foods:

 If your infant has started eating solid foods, you can substitute whole grain cereals for white or refined cereals (white rice cereal). You can also offer other high-fiber fruit and vegetable to your baby or foods including apricots, sweet potatoes, pears, prunes, peaches, plums, beans, peas, broccoli or spinach. Banana, applesauce and carrot baby food and baby foods thickened with tapioca can be constipating so reduce these foods in your child’s diet. For older children, dairy products can be constipating. If your toddler is eating excessive amounts of cheese, milk (>16-20 ounces per day), or refined carbohydrates; try to reduce these in the diet and substitute higher fiber alternative such as whole grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables.