Helping Kids With Constipation: tips from a mom of 4

Only moms want to talk about constipation, and no one wants to deal with it, but it’s a common issue that affects many children. If your child is dealing with constipation, you know how uncomfortable and cranky it can make them feel. As a first time mom, my 6 month old had a lot of trouble when we introduce dairy to her diet. 13 years later, her little sister has similar issues. It's heartbreaking and frustrating because they are not themselves. It can be confusing if you don't know what's going on. For both of my girls, they were sweet as pie.... until they got backed up! Then the whole house was walking on eggshells until they pooped and we could all breath again. Fortunately, there are some helpful strategies that you can use to get your little one back on track. Here are some tips for helping kids with constipation.
Increase Fiber Intake
One of the best ways to help your child with constipation is to increase their fiber intake. Fiber helps move food through the digestive tract more quickly and prevents stools from becoming hard and dry. Aim to feed your child foods that are high in fiber like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans. Find out what fruit and veggies are your child's favourites and be sure to keep them on hand and offer them often. Cucumbers and peppers are popular in our home. In the winter, when fruit is not in season, I like to buy frozen raspberries and blueberries. My kids will eat them frozen or in a smoothy. Some people find Fiber supplements like Metamucil or Benefiber helpful but they never really worked well for us.

Drink More Water
Making sure your child stays hydrated is also very important when dealing with constipation. Water helps keep stool soft so it can pass through the intestines more easily. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid sugary beverages like soda or juice as these can make things worse by dehydrating them even more.

Encourage Exercise
Exercise is another great way to help reduce constipation in children as physical activity stimulates the digestive system and encourages regular bowel movements. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day—a bike ride around the neighborhood or playing tag in the basement are both great options!  For little ones, tummy massage may also help. Massage the tummy gently, in a clockwise motion.
If these options don't quite cut it for you, you may need to take some extra steps to support your little ones tummy. Both of my girls have benefited greatly from introducing pro-biotics, digestive enzymes and essential oils.

Constipation can be an unpleasant problem for kids that often leads to tears and tantrums, (both mom and kid) but there are some simple strategies you can use to help them feel better fast. Increasing their fiber intake, making sure they stay well-hydrated, and encouraging exercise are all great ways to help ease their discomfort and get their bowels moving again. With a few small changes and extra snuggles from you, your little one will be feeling better in no time!