What Causes Constipation in Children

It is very upsetting to see young children suffering from constipation. By this time, you should know what I think about constipation: There is no excuse for anyone to be constipated today. Many people fail to understand that this can cause serious problems later in life.

Many parents believe that as long as their children have at least three bowel movements per week and the stool is soft, everything is fine. Do you actually believe this? I do not. Assuming your child eats three meals each day, he should have at least one bowel movement every day. Food should never be in the digestive tract for more than twenty-four hours. Ideally, you should have a comfortable, unforced bowel movement roughly half an hour after each meal.

What causes constipation in children?

Diet & Nutrition. Not eating enough fiber, too much milk and dairy, eating too much sugar or acid-forming foods (meat), dehydration and food allergies can all lead to constipation. Taking certain prescription drugs can also cause constipation in children.

Lack of Exercise. Many children spend too much time in front of the television or playing video games and this lack of activity can cause constipation.

Emotional Problems and Anxiety. Fear, grief, worry and frustration have all been shown to affect the digestive tract. Serious emotional problems, such as those from depression, attention deficit disorders or sexual abuse, frequently lead to constipation.

Holding Bowel Movements. If children get in the habit of holding their bowel movements, it can lead to constipation. Not going to the toilet when they feel the urge to do so can be a terrible habit.

What can you do to keep your child regular?

Diet. Improving your child’s diet and increasing his water intake is the most important step to keeping your child regular. Your child should drink lots of pure water, instead of sugary drinks, throughout the day. At least half of your child’s regular diet should be comprised of fresh, raw, unprocessed foods, including meat, whole grains, nuts and seeds. White flour, chocolate, sugar, and dairy should be carefully limited. Giving your child a probiotic supplement to promote the growth of “friendly bacteria” in the colon is also a good idea.

Bowel Habit Training. You should teach your child to avoid holding their bowel movements if it can be avoided. Creating a routine can help your child develop healthy habits that may last a lifetime. To do this, have your child sit on the toilet for ten minutes each day at about the same time, preferably half an hour after the day’s largest meal. Ensure that your child can place his feet firmly on the floor while sitting on the toilet, and if not, use a foot stool. To keep your child interested, consider reading them a story or playing music at toilet time. It is important to teach your child that having bowel movements is a normal and necessary function and nothing to be embarrassed about.

Exercise. Many children today do not get enough exercise and this can have many effects on their health, including constipation. Watching television or playing video games should be discouraged in favor of outside activities and play. Physical activity, and the subsequent stimulated metabolism, speeds up the digestive process and encourages the excretion of waste.

Stress. Many children today have a lot of stress and this can cause constipation. It is crucial to spend time with your children, to teach them how to relax and be calm, and to give them comfort and encouragement. Children learn a lot by watching the behavior of their parents, so if you are constantly stressed, your child learns this from you. It is vital to not only teach relaxation, but to practice it in front of your children.

Keep the Bowel Clean. Keeping the bowel clean is an excellent preventive measure that encourages good health. We recommend using Oxy Powder for this purpose. Oxy Powder is a safe and natural way to clean the digestive tract while providing the body with additional oxygen. To determine the proper dosage for your child, consult your healthcare provider.

Regular bowel movements are vital to removing toxins from the body and their importance cannot be emphasized enough. Prevention is always key; however, if the suggestions above do not relieve your child’s constipation, be sure to consult with a healthcare professional.

Let me know if these suggestions have been helpful.