What if I told you something as simple as water could cure constipation that has your little one feeling miserable?
Below you’ll learn that and 5 more ways to literally get things moving and put that big smile on their face again.
Here we go…
If your toddler is suffering from something as nasty and as irritating as constipation, it can get challenging to relieve their pain because at this age most kids are really picky about what they want to eat.
In most cases, constipation in toddlers is a result of an improper diet. So it is absolutely necessary to include certain kinds of foods and drinks in your toddler’s diet to cure and prevent constipation.
It could also be that your kid does not like what they should ideally be eating. You might even have to cut down upon or completely avoid certain foods.
Again, these foods might be your picky toddler’s favorite putting you in a tough spot. In both these cases, it will take time, effort, and patience to gradually modify your child’s diet bringing in small changes step by step, thereby making it more acceptable and a little easier for them.
When you see your little one suffering and crying in pain, trying hard to deal with the stubborn, dry poo, you need an immediate cure that would relieve the pain instantly.
Along with working on the changes in the diet, there are some simple measures that you can take to help your child out.
Check out these 6 tips …
- Increase the water intake of your child. This shouldn’t be difficult compared to achieving other diet changes. More fluid in the system means softer poo which is easier to pass.
2. Toddlers are generally fond of playing with their parents. Try giving some exercise to their abdominal muscles (we’re not talking abs of steel here, just gentle workouts) while playing.
This will help them pass the motion by putting gentle pressure on the intestine and your little one probably won’t even realize it. Encourage games like cycling, crawling like an animal, and sit-ups.
If you try these activities yourself, you’ll notice how they put pressure on the abdomen.
3. Give your baby a stool to put their feet on when they sit on the commode or potty passing poo.
This will lift their legs and bring their body more into squatting like a position that puts pressure on the excretory passage for better and easier elimination of waste.
4. Give your toddler a warm bath followed by a tummy massage starting downwards from the navel. This will help relieve the pain and put gentle pressure on the intestine to eliminate hard poo. You can use an oil or moisturizer to lubricate your fingers.
5. If your toddler’s constipation is really bad, it could be that they have cracked the delicate skin around the anus while trying to poo.
Apply something lubricating like petroleum jelly, natural coconut or almond oil to smooth the fissures/ cracks and prevent further damage. Do not use any products that may be sensitive to your toddler’s skin.
6. Despite taking these measures, if passing the stool becomes extremely painful for the child, consider using glycerin suppositories. These are available over the counter and help stimulate the bowel movement.
Though glycerin suppositories are widely used and known to be harmless, you should talk to your pediatrician before using one.
Never try any over the counter laxatives or enema for children. These might have side effects and adversely affect their internal systems.
Kids are delicate and even a small problem can become really severe for them if not handled properly.
You have to very watchful and keep trying to develop healthy eating and toilet habits in your child to keep problems like constipation in toddlers away.
