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Some children avoid bowel movements out of fear that defecation will hurt. And after much postponement, it will. Here's how to break the constipation cycle.
Does your child put off going to the bathroom because he or she is busy doing more important things? Or is your child avoiding the bathroom for fear of a painful bowel movement? Either pattern may be a sign of constipation.
Parents often think their worries about their children's bathroom habits will end with the final diaper. But successful toilet training doesn't prevent occasional troubles with bowel movements. Constipation is among the most common.
How often is enough?
In general, babies pass about four stools a day. That number falls to about two a day by the time a child turns 2. By the age of 4, most children are down to about one bowel movement a day.
Signs and symptoms of constipation include:
- No bowel movement for several days, or daily bowel movements that are hard and dry
- Cramping abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Liquid or clay-like stool in the child's underwear — a sign that stool is backed up in the rectum
Is the modern diet the culprit?
Children today eat a lot of highly processed food instead of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. Fiber adds bulk and holds more water in the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. Eating more fruits, raw vegetables, bran, and whole-grain breads and cereals can help.
Drinking more fluids, especially water, also is recommended. Excess cow's milk can cause constipation in some children, so you may want to limit your child's intake of milk and milk products, such as cheese and yogurt.
Toilet training problems
Children are at higher risk of constipation during these three developmental milestones:
- The dietary switch to solid food
- Toilet training
- The start of school
If children begin toilet training before they're emotionally ready, they may rebel and hold in their stools. If your child strongly resists toilet training, it's best to wait for a few months and then try again.
Physical disorders and medicines
In rare cases, constipation can be caused by structural or functional problems with a child's intestines. These problems usually are discovered in infancy. Metabolic difficulties, such as a low-functioning thyroid gland, also can result in constipation.
Some drugs can cause constipation, including antacids, phenobarbital, and painkillers or cough syrups containing codeine.
Painful bowel movements
Constipation can make bowel movements painful, so your child may try to avoid a repeat of the distressing experience. Clenching buttocks, rocking up and down on toes, and turning red in the face are all signs of trying to hold in a bowel movement. Unfortunately, this behavior eventually just makes matters worse.
In some cases, a child may be afraid of the toilet itself or be locked in a contest of wills over toilet training. A voluntary decision to ignore the urge to defecate can quickly become an involuntary habit that may take months to break.
The use of laxatives
The accumulation of fecal material can become so large and hard that it gets stuck. Your doctor may suggest an enema or laxative to help remove the blockage. Afterward, your child may need to take a daily laxative for weeks or even months as he or she learns how to have regular bowel movements. Long-term use of laxatives can be dangerous for children, so follow your doctor's instructions precisely.
Remain compassionate
Constipation is very common in children, and it can happen at any age. Frustrating as the problem may be, parents should do their best to keep it in perspective. With your patience and support, your child will establish regular bowel habits in time.
Courtesy articles provided by www.mayoclinic.com
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