What to do with constipation in a child?

Constipation in a child is a fairly common and common problem.

The kid can not complain or explain that it is difficult for him to go to the toilet, and the common signs of pain or discomfort( anxiety, crying) can be caused by a variety of reasons - from bad sleep to headaches or cutting teeth.

Constipation in a month-old baby is even harder to detect, because such a crumb to go to the toilet can be very small.

Therefore, it is important for parents to monitor the frequency of the kids going to the toilet to find the problem in time.

What constitutes constipation?

Constipation in a child is a difficult progression of stool in the intestines, a rare release of the intestine and pain during defecation.

In children, the gastrointestinal tract is in active development, constantly adapting to new food, is populated with new beneficial bacteria.

With constipation, liberation of the intestine is difficult, stool masses harden and accumulate in the rectum, releasing toxic gases and toxins.

The longer the obstipation lasts, the higher the risk of developing side-effects: different bacterial diseases, reducing the overall activity of the intestine, disrupting the normal operation of the entire gastrointestinal tract, the appearance of parasites.

Therefore, it is important for parents to know how to help a child with constipation effectively and what to do if the child has constipation permanently.

Chronic constipation in children has a general destructive effect not only on the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, but also on the entire body.

When the intestine becomes clogged, the process of absorption of trace elements, nutrients and vitamins is disrupted, which in the long term leads to deficiency of nutrients for all tissues and cells.

Constipation can cause dysbiosis, which is difficult to treat even for an adult.

The most dangerous consequences of prolonged obstipation are: the development of inflammatory diseases in the intestine( colitis), the appearance of cracks in the anus, the widening of the lumen of the intestine, the general acute intoxication of the body.

If a toddler often hurts to go to the toilet, then he can start consciously avoiding this procedure, capricious.

Therefore, constipation in a small child should be cured as soon as possible, not allowing chronic blockage of the intestine.

What is obstipation in a child?

In order to find a child in time to constipation, it is important to constantly monitor the frequency of his trips to the toilet.

Each kid is individual, and if for someone one or two trips to the toilet per day is the norm, for another - an alarm signal.

Of course, the mother will be able to detect the baby's constipation best of all, but there are general norms that will help to find the problem in time.

In newborn babies the norm range is quite large: from several times a day to once a week.

Video:

Breastfeeding infants go to the toilet 10 times a day, ideal if the baby goes to the toilet after each feeding.

But the stool once a week in a large volume is within the normal range. When feeding with a mixture, babies should go to the toilet more regularly, the norm is considered 1 time per day.

Constipation in a month-old baby is easiest to determine not by the number of trips to the toilet, but by the consistency of the stool: in a baby, it should look like a gruel or mashed potatoes.

A harder and harder stool is a deviation. As a rule, after the introduction of complementary foods, the stool starts to form gradually, therefore the diagnosis of constipation in a child of 6 months requires care and constant monitoring.

During this period of development, the baby should go to the toilet no more than 2 times a day.

After three years, children begin to go to the toilet less often, there is a more pronounced individual schedule of work of the intestine.

Normal frequency - at least 1 time in 2 days, i.e. at least three times a week. After 6 years, the frequency of trips to the toilet gradually increases: at least 4 times a week for children 6 - 10 years, at least 5 times a week - for adolescents.

The sign of obstipation is not only the frequency of bowel movements. Pay attention to how the baby behaves on the pot, does not show any signs of anxiety or discomfort.

Young children may not tell their parents about the pain, but manifest it externally: to rest on the heels to the floor, to be capricious, to squeeze the knees.

The appearance of more solid or dry parts in the feces is also a warning sign. If you find traces of blood or blood clots in the kid's stool, then consult a doctor urgently - this is one of the signs of intestinal integrity disorder.

Causes of constipation in children

Only qualified specialists can determine the exact causes of constipation in children. If problems with the stool continue for 3 months, then be sure to contact your pediatrician.

In some cases, a visit to a doctor should not be postponed at all: sharp pains, bloating, nausea, blood in the stool - all these are good reasons for concern.

Constipation in this case may be a sign of a serious illness or a violation of the functions of the digestive tract.

There are three main types of constipation in children:

• organic( anatomical);
• functional;
• psychological.

Organic constipation is caused by a disorder in the structure of the digestive tract. This may be lengthening of the sigmoid colon, doubling of the intestine, atresia, tumors, seals, etc.

Fortunately, such abnormalities are diagnosed quite quickly, even before 1 year, while the baby is under constant medical supervision.

The only treatment in such cases is surgical intervention and prolonged postoperative therapy.

Functional constipation in children can be caused by eating disorders: excessive intake of fats, heavy food, chronic dehydration.

Allergic reactions to various products or elements, intestinal microflora disorders, various diseases, excessive consumption of medications - all this can lead to functional obtipation.

Therefore, the first thing to do, if a child has constipation often appear, is to consult a pediatrician.

Psychological constipation in a child is due to various kinds of emotional difficulties.

For example, children 4 to 6 years old can be restrained in an uncomfortable or uncomfortable environment: at a party, in a clinic, in public places.

Most often, such constipation occurs during the addiction to kindergarten, as the environment changes dramatically.

Frequent constipation can occur during training to the pot, especially if the child is heavily scolded for not being asked to go to the toilet.

Difficulties may occur after treatment of functional constipation, due to fear of pain or discomfort.

That's why the kid needs to explain that he is sick, but the doctor will cure everything, persuade him to go to the toilet, despite the pain.

Treatment of children before the year

How to treat constipation in an infant? Be sure to consult your supervising physician.

Constipation in the infant can be caused by abnormalities in the intestinal structure or serious developmental abnormalities.

If there are no diseases and allergic reactions, then Mom will have to closely monitor their diet: include more fiber, reduce the intake of animal fats, replace cow milk with sour-milk products.

If the window is summer - consume more berries with bones( cherries, cherries, grapes), in the winter on the proceeds will come dried fruits and compote. Constipation in children under one year is often caused by similar problems in the mother.

If the baby feeds on the mixture and does not have any pathologies, then check the dosage. Perhaps your baby is just overeating.

Video:

Try to choose the optimal portion, giving a little less or slightly more depending on the reaction of the body.

The feeding should be regular, the mixture is as close as possible to breast milk.

If observance of these simple rules does not help, then try to include in the food of the baby a small amount of a mixture with carob gluten, lactulose, oligosaccharides or prebiotics.

With constipation in a month-old baby, there is little to do, so a good and safe remedy for constipation and general problems with the intestines is massage.

Choose the moment when the baby behaves calmly, lay it on the back and gently rub your fingers with your fingers clockwise.

Strongly pressing on the tummy is not necessary. This procedure will be useful not only for obstipation, but also for improving intestinal motility as a whole.

But what if, for example, the constipation of a two-month-old child is delayed, the child constantly cries, experiences severe pain?

To give drugs for constipation for children without a doctor's recommendation is strictly contraindicated.

Cleansing enema for children with constipation is done only in emergency cases.

To do this, type in a special pear a little cool( 25 - 35 degrees) boiled water, gently enter the baby in the anus and squeeze for a few minutes the buttocks, so that water penetrated deeper into the intestines and softened the feces.

Immediately after the procedure, there should be relief. It is enough to introduce a newborn to 30 ml, if constipation in a child is 6 months, then slightly increase the amount of fluid poured.

Treatment of children from the year

Constipation in a one-year-old child is slightly easier to treat than a baby. If a child has 6 months with constipation, it is possible to conduct a strictly limited set of procedures, then in 1 year the baby can already use some laxative products.

But even at an older age recommend that give a child from constipation, only a doctor can.

The causes of constipation in children are very diverse, so correct diagnosis is the most reliable way to eliminate and prevent chronic constipation in children.

Dufalac is almost the only medicine that can be given to children under 3 years old.

The active substance of this drug, lactulose, is not split and not absorbed in the intestines, but feeds lactate-producing bacteria, which has a laxative effect.

The drug disintegrates in the colon to fatty acids, restores the acid-base balance and stimulates peristalsis.

Dosage should be selected individually, from 5 to 50 ml. Do not start taking laxatives without consulting a doctor.

Glycerin suppositories effectively cope with constipation in children. They are well tolerated, have a quick effect and are safe even for the smallest.

In the pharmacy you can buy Glytelax, a baby dosage, or cut an adult candle into 4 parts so that it easily enters the child's anus.

Children older than a year in extreme cases can put an enema. The kid needs to be laid on his side, ask him to bend his knees.

In the anus for 4 - 6 cm, carefully insert the tip of the syringe or Esmarch mug( pre-lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly or oil) and gradually inject the liquid.

Use extreme caution when administering an enema: the tip can damage the anus if the baby moves abruptly.

Ask the child to lie on his side for a few minutes, so that the liquid is absorbed into the hardened feces, and then ask to go to the toilet.

If the kid is afraid of an enema and categorically refuses to put it, do not force it. Psychology is a very complex system.

Painful memories of enemas and other invasive procedures can cause psychological constipation in a child.

Do not forget that this method is not the treatment of constipation in children, but urgent medical help, as an anesthetic. Constant constipation enema will not work.

A good help from constipation in children and various oils, especially vaseline and castor. Oils are not absorbed in the intestines, but envelop the walls and facilitate the passage of feces.

Dosage intake - from a few drops to a teaspoon, depending on the age of the baby and the severity of constipation.

Video:

Castor oil is very unpleasant taste, so it is used less often than Vaseline oil. To drink medicine was easier, add it to a cool milk drink, kefir or just milk.

You can also use folk remedies for constipation in children: various herbal preparations, teas, compote from dried fruits.

But be sure to consult a doctor and exclude allergies to active herbal components.