You don't need to panic if your child is constipated. Constipation experienced by the Little One can be overcome by giving children constipation medicine according to the doctor's advice and several independent treatment steps at home.
Constipation is one of the most common digestive disorders in children. A child is said to be constipated if he has bowel movements less than 3 times a week, looks like he has to push or tries hard to pass stool, or the stool looks hard, dry, and small.
Complaints of constipation experienced by children can be caused by various things, including:
- Drinking too much milk or not getting enough fiber
- Not drinking water
- Stress
- Rarely move or lack of exercise
- Side effects of certain drugs
Natural Treatment Steps at Home
Before giving constipation medicine to children, Mothers can do independent treatment at home to overcome them, namely by:
1. Giving child foods containing fiber
Consumption of foods rich in fiber, such as nuts, seeds, and fruits and vegetables, can be a simple but effective step in dealing with constipation in children. If your child has difficulty eating fruit or vegetables, try starting with a fruit that tastes sweet, such as apples, dates, or melons.
Eating enough fiber will make your child's stools softer and easier to pass. In addition, the various fibrous foods above also contain many nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, which are needed by children.
2. Meet the needs of body fluids child
When children drink less, the texture of their stools will become harder, making it more difficult to pass when defecating.
Therefore, you need to meet your little one's daily fluid needs. By giving children enough water to drink, the texture of their stools will become softer, so that the process of defecation becomes easier.
In addition, you can also meet your little one's fluid needs by giving him fruits and vegetables that are rich in water, such as watermelon, tomatoes, lettuce, cauliflower, and yam.
3. Reduce gift cow's milk
Some children can experience constipation due to lactose intolerance or allergies to cow's milk they consume. If you find your little one is often constipated after he drinks cow's milk, then you should stop giving the milk for a while.
To choose another type of milk that your little one can consume as a substitute for cow's milk, Mother is advised to consult a pediatrician.
4. Encourage children to stay active
Encourage children to be more active. Give children time to play actively at least 30-60 minutes every day to maintain bowel movements and facilitate the digestive process.
To make him more enthusiastic about doing physical activities, you can also exercise with your little one. For example, invite children to bike, swim, or just take a leisurely walk.
5. Make a child's meal schedule
Eating regularly is able to stimulate the movement of the child's digestive tract, so that the child is also accustomed to defecating regularly. One simple way that you can do is to give your child breakfast every morning.
6. Get used to the child to the toilet
toilet training or getting the child used to the toilet, especially after he eats or when the child feels the urge to defecate (BAB).
Children usually resist going to the toilet because they are afraid to go to the toilet alone or are not comfortable with the toilet condition. Make sure the child does not hold bowel movements so that the stool does not harden and is difficult to pass.
Safe Use of Laxatives
If home remedies can't treat constipation in children, you can consult a doctor about the choice of constipation medications that are safe for children.
Constipation drugs in the form of laxatives are not always recommended for children. This type of drug is only given in certain conditions based on medical considerations, so mothers must be careful when giving laxatives to children.
Based on how it works, there are 2 types of constipation drugs, namely:
Drug constipation stool softener
Constipation drugs that are classified as stool softeners include lactulose, mineral oil, and docusate. Lactulose is a commonly used stool softener option in Indonesia. Lactulose laxatives and mineral oil come in liquid form, so they can be mixed with juices or your child's favorite drink.
While medicine docusate It has 3 forms, namely tablets, capsules, and liquid. Docusate Liquid can be chosen for children under 3 years of age, and of course must be through a doctor's prescription.
Drug constipation stool pusher
Stool-boosting constipation medications work by stimulating bowel movements to expel stool. Bisacodyl and senna are some examples of this type of constipation medication.
Both laxatives should be given at night before going to bed so that the child can defecate in the morning. Bisacodyl or senna should not be used for a long term and must be through a doctor's prescription. Senna It is also not recommended for use in children under 6 years of age.
Constipation drugs in the form of laxatives can indeed overcome constipation in children. However, Mother is advised not to give it other than on doctor's advice.
If your little one is constipated for more than 2 weeks, his stomach hurts, his bowels are bloody, or his constipation doesn't improve even though he's been given medicine for constipation and the various treatment steps above, immediately check your little one to the doctor.
In some cases, constipation can be a sign of a more serious illness. In addition, constipation should not be ignored and taken lightly, because of the risk of causing hemorrhoids in children and encopresis.