Have you ever saw a child seating in the toilet seat and crying due to pain. Well, it is constipation in toddlers. I know, it looks bad to see your child crying while pooping. But don’t worry it is quite common among the kids of these ages. There are so many reasons that can lead to constipation in toddlers. So, let’s explore the common causes, symptoms of it and moreover simple home remedies to treat it.

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What is constipation in toddlers?

Your toddler is having constipation if he/she has lesser than three bowel movements in a week or having trouble during a bowel movement. Kids may feel a problem while passing stool, which is hard, dry and unusually large.

Constipation in toddlers is a very common problem. Usually, it isn’t a cause for concern. Healthy eating and some lifestyle changes can help to prevent it.

Signs & symptoms of constipation in toddlers

Every kid has a different bathroom habit. A toddler who doesn’t have a bowel movement daily isn’t necessarily mean that he is constipated.

Generally, signs of constipation in toddlers are:

• Going less than normal
• Having trouble or pain while passing stool
• Feeling bloated or full
• Straining to poop
• A little blood on the toilet paper

What causes constipation in toddlers?

One of the most common causes of constipation is a diet that doesn’t include enough water and fiber. Kids who eat lots of processed foods, white bread and bagels, cheeses, and meats may become constipated fairly often.

Constipation can occur in babies when they shifted from breast milk to baby formula, or from baby food to solid food. Toddlers who are getting trained for toilets sometimes can become constipated, especially if they’re not ready for the same.

When kids avoid going to the bathroom when they need to go, can lead to constipation in toddlers. Kids ignore the urge to use washrooms because they don’t want to stop playing.

Sometimes toddlers can get constipated due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It can happen the kids get stressed or eat food that triggers IBS, like fatty or spicy foods. A child with irritable bowel syndrome may have either constipation or diarrhea.

In rare cases, constipation in toddlers is a sign of other medical problems. So, discuss with your pediatric if your child continues to have problems or if constipation lasts for 2 to 3 weeks.

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Home Remedies for Constipation in toddlers

If you are sure that child is having constipation, here are the quick and easy options to help get quick relief at home:

• Juice (pear, white grape, and prune). You can give around 4 ounces of juice to your kid in a day.

• Abdominal massage. For infants and toddlers, massaging the abdomen and bicycling their legs are great measures to help pass stools.

• Increased fiber. As, we all know that processed foods, high-fat foods, and unhealthy eating habits increase your health problems, including constipation. So, build your kid diet enriched with fiber, fruits and vegetables. Ask your kid to drink plenty of water.

Conclusion

As we discussed constipation in kids a big cause to worry about simple changes in eating habits can help to fight with constipation in toddlers. But, if it persists for a long period of time then consult a pediatric to know the exact reason.

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