Constipation is very common among children. It is a condition that is recognised by hard bowel movements or absence of it completely. There can be several reasons for constipation among young children. Sometimes ignoring nature s call or withholding could be a probable cause; this is common among school children. Apart from that, a diet low in fibre and obesity could also make a child become constipated easily. Whatever the cause, it is distressing for parents to deal with child s constipation. Severe constipation might need medical intervention such as oral medication and glycerine suppositories. However, you can start with some home remedies to try and free your child from the symptoms of constipation. Here are a few of them:
#1 Water: Make sure that your child is drinking enough water throughout the day to avoid symptoms of constipation. Most of the time dehydration can be a prime cause of constipation. If your child finds it difficult to pass stool or have missed passing stool in a day encourage your child to drink at least one and half litre of water throughout the day, to ensure smooth stool passage. You can also try warm water and lemon which is an excellent home remedy to aid digestion. Sipping glassful of warm water will also help in the same way. Here are 10 reasons why having warm water and honey is good for you.
#2 Whole fruits: One of the best ways to deal with constipation in children is to offer whole fruits that are rich in fibre content. Some fruits that can help beat constipation in younger children are:
Apart from these fruits, other fruits can also help aid digestion and fight constipation. Always make it a point to offer your child whole fruits over fruit pulp and juices so that the fibre content of the fruit remains intact.
#3 Fibre rich foods: Try and incorporate fibre rich foods like cereals and pulses, whole grains and beans in your child s diet plan in one way or the other. A diet with enough fibre helps the body to form soft bulky stool. (Read: 10 reasons you should eat fibre-rich foods)
#4 Molasses: High in sugar content molasses also helps to fight constipation and indigestion. Blackstrap molasses has rich source of magnesium that specifically helps to tackle constipation.
#5 Olive oil: One teaspoon of olive oil when taken with one teaspoon of lemon juice first thing in the morning on empty stomach helps in passage of the stool and gives relief from constipation.
#6 Aloe vera: Aloe vera is known for its many beauty benefits but it is also an excellent ingredient to fight constipation in children. Two spoonful of aloe vera gel mixed with one glass of warm water works as an excellent laxative.
#7 Yoghurt: Yoghurt can do wonders and one way it helps to treat constipation is to keep the good bacteria flourishing in the gut. This will help prevent constipation and allow passage of the bowels easily. (Read: Can yogurt help improve immunity?)
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