Proven Home Remedies for Constipation In Kids

Is your child’s gut giving them a silent treatment? Does your kiddo have to put extra effort into poop? Well, constipation is one the most common yet complicated problems in babies, toddlers, or children of all ages. Generally, no particular season or reason is responsible for upsetting your baby’s tummy now and then. 

This article discusses constipation in detail, the various reasons that cause it, and the symptoms your little one is likely to show when they face it. In the later section, you will also get some gentle and effective home remedies for constipation in kids. So, let’s start: 

What is Constipation in Kids?

Constipation refers to infrequent or difficult bowel movements in children and adults. It arises when your little one has three or fewer bowels weekly. A constipated child has a hard stool, making excretion painful. In severe cases, constipation can even lead to blood in stool. The following sections will help you understand the primary reasons and symptoms of constipation. 

Causes of constipation in kids

A healthy digestive system is essential to ensure the healthy growth and development of your little one. Some common factors that can constipate your baby’s tummy and affect their wellness are as follows:

• Low fiber and water intake 

• Withholding stool due to fear or discomfort

• Changes in the routine 

• Lack of physical activity 

• Withholding

• Change in diet or routine

• Stress

• Medicines

Now that you know the reasons for constipation in children, let’s understand its common symptoms in the next section. 

Symptoms of constipation

Constipation is primarily associated with bowel problems in babies and toddlers. Your little one will likely show the following signs when suffering from a constipated stomach:  

• Fewer than 3 bowel movements in a week

• Stomach ache

• Hard, lumpy, or dry stools

• Abdominal pain or bloating

• Poor appetite

• Painful bowel movements

Constipation can leave your little one in a lot of discomfort. While OTC medicines are effective, you can use the home remedies below for natural comfort. We also advise to use a tummy roll on for your little one to give them instant relief from stomach pain, indigestion, and colic pain. 

Natural Home Remedies To Treat Constipation in Children

One of the best ways to relieve constipation in toddlers is home remedies passed down by our older generations. The solutions mentioned below are gentle and focus on improving your kid’s digestive system for comfort.

1. Increase fibre intake

Your child’s diet is essential in keeping their gut healthy and happy. For this, most experts suggest feeding them foods that are rich in fibre. You can include a variety of seeds, vegetables, and fruits in your child's platter to fulfill their fiber requirements. 

Make a healthy salad bowl for your little one by adding apples, papaya, berries, mangoes, and more. You can make curries with vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Other fibre sources include almonds, sesame, sunflower, and walnuts. 

2. Water is the best medicine

Keeping your baby hydrated is one of the easiest constipation remedies for kids. But, at times, parents can lose track of how much water their kids drink during the day. Water helps the food pass through the intestinal tract and softens the stools. Therefore, giving your child plenty of water throughout the day is essential so your baby can no longer face hardship in stool evacuation.

3. Exercise

Exercising and engaging in physical activities are great remedies for kids' constipation quick relief. Moving the baby’s legs can help ease constipation, especially for babies who don’t crawl or walk. If your toddler suffers constipation, make them do easy exercises as it stimulates the contraction of muscles in the intestine that helps push the stools easier and faster.

4. Fruit juices

Constipation steals your baby’s appetite, making them skip their meals. If your child is avoiding food, you can give fruit juices to complete their nutrition cycle. Drinking fruit juices rich in Vitamin C, such as lemon juice and sweet lemon juice with a pinch of salt, eliminates toxins from the intestinal tract and treats indigestion. Apple or orange juice can also be good options to ease constipation.

5. Give Bananas

Ripe bananas are high in soluble fibre that helps draw water from the intestine and eases bowel movement. Bananas are part of a BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice cereal, Applesauce, Toast) that allows kids to recover from gastrointestinal problems. Eating bananas is an effective home remedy for constipation in kids. 

6. Abdominal Massage

Giving an abdominal massage to a baby suffering from constipation can lower the pain and discomfort and trigger muscle contraction. There’s a significant impact of abdominal massage on relieving constipation in kids. It would be best to softly massage your child’s tummy by targeting the abdominal region. You can also use an Ayurvedic Hing roll-on to get mess-free and instant relief from stomach pain.

7. Create a regular toilet routine

Little ones will likely find it difficult to use the toilet during their early days. You can help them by establishing a regular toilet routine. To start, try encouraging them to use the toilet at a particular time every day. This will help develop a healthy habit of using the washroom. 

You can make them sit on a plastic potty seat twice daily so they can get used to it. Slowly and gradually, try to shift them to the toilet seat. Building a healthy toilet routine can improve their bowels and avoid constipation. 

8. Yogurt 

Yogurt has probiotics, which are good bacteria supporting gut health. They help aid digestion, soften stool, improve bowels, and reduce bloating. You can prepare a tasty yogurt bowl by adding fibre-rich fruits, nuts, and seeds. Try using an unsweetened yogurt variant.

Best Vs Worst Foods For Constipation

Learn about the best and worst foods to help relieve constipation in kids, promoting digestive health with nutrient-rich options while avoiding foods that may worsen the condition. This guide offers practical insights for better tummy care.

Precautions to avoid Constipation 

While constipation is a common digestive problem, you can reduce its frequency by following certain precautionary measures. Here’s the list:

• Avoid giving them processed foods, including junk, sugary snacks, and refined carbs. 

• Instead of full platters, give your kid small and nutritious meals throughout the day. 

• Do not let your child use mobile phones or video games in the toilet. 

• Always keep a baby tummy roll-on in your child’s medicine kit to relieve stomach aches instantly. 

• Ensure their daily dairy intake is limited, as excess milk products can cause constipation. 

Wrapping up 

Home remedies for constipation in kids are the handy and safest way to aid digestion. So, you can try these remedies at home and see the results in a few days. Usually, a healthy diet, the use of a natural tummy roll-on, and other baby & kids care products like gentle laxative syrups, fiber-rich snacks, and probiotic drops can help ease constipation troubles.