As a mother, I can say that constipation can be an annoying problem in kids, especially toddlers. While it might be a trivial issue for some, it can be a really painful problem to deal with for mothers. Chronic constipation can also result in encopresis, a medical condition in which the child resists having bowel movements due to pain or any other reason.
In fact, doctors say that constipation is no longer an old age problem but afflicts up to 40 percent of school-going children.
In any school, nearly 40 percent of children suffer from constipation, and the primary reasons are lifestyle-related - children eat too much processed and carbohydrate-rich food and don't drink enough water. Delayed toilet training can also be a cause as children do not develop the habit of passing stool daily.
This is a tried and tested remedy, which has been even mentioned in Dr. Spock’s book of baby and childcare. All you need to do is mix a teaspoon of sugar to half a glass of warm water and give it your baby thrice a day after his meals throughout the day. Water and sugar are killer combos that come handy in softening the stools and relieving your child's constipation.
Besides being loaded with vitamins and minerals, bananas are packed with fiber particularly pectin, which is essential for smooth digestion and bowel movement.
This is another home remedy that works like magic when treating constipation in kids. This is because apple juice contains a naturally occurring fiber that bulks up the stools. They are also loaded with sorbitol a naturally occurring sugar alcohol which acts as a natural laxative and helps soften the stools
Coconut water is an excellent digestive aid, helps in removing toxins from the body, and also improves bowel function.
In fact, doctors say that constipation is no longer an old age problem but afflicts up to 40 percent of school-going children.
In any school, nearly 40 percent of children suffer from constipation, and the primary reasons are lifestyle-related - children eat too much processed and carbohydrate-rich food and don't drink enough water. Delayed toilet training can also be a cause as children do not develop the habit of passing stool daily.
Home remedies for constipation
But, there’s no need to panic as there are a number of remedies in your kitchen alone that can help you deal with your child’s constipation and ensure that he has a smooth bowel movement every day. Here are the most effective ones:
Sugar water solution
This is a tried and tested remedy, which has been even mentioned in Dr. Spock’s book of baby and childcare. All you need to do is mix a teaspoon of sugar to half a glass of warm water and give it your baby thrice a day after his meals throughout the day. Water and sugar are killer combos that come handy in softening the stools and relieving your child's constipation.
Go for Bananas
Besides being loaded with vitamins and minerals, bananas are packed with fiber particularly pectin, which is essential for smooth digestion and bowel movement.
Apple Juice
This is another home remedy that works like magic when treating constipation in kids. This is because apple juice contains a naturally occurring fiber that bulks up the stools. They are also loaded with sorbitol a naturally occurring sugar alcohol which acts as a natural laxative and helps soften the stools