Childhood Constipation

Constipation is a common condition during childhood, and everyone have their own different remedies.

Here are my Top 5 Remedies to try if your kids are “stuck”.

Dietary Changes

Changing your child’s diet in just a small way, ensuring they have a diet rich in high fibre and nutrient dense foods, maybe quite helpful.  Including things like kiwifruit, blackberries, leafy dark green vegetables, beetroot, or ground flaxseeds.

Hydration is so important!

Remember to keep your children hydrated.  Kids should be roughly drinking 30 ml of water per kg of body weight, more if they sweat with play and sports.  I think the best way to do it, is a glass of water on rising, another after breakfast, one at morning tea, another after lunch, one after afternoon tea and another with or after dinner.

Exercise

Get your kids moving!  Movement helps motility of the bowel, so get your children doing some sort of regular physical activity every day.  Such as, running around in the local park, bike riding, swimming, joining you on your morning walk or joining a local sporting team.  Not only is it great for bowel movement, but it’s great for their health.

Pre/Probiotics

Antibiotics, toxins, food sensitives can disrupt the bacteria in your digestive system, which can cause issues such as diarrhoea or constipation.  Looking for a probiotic with the following strains may help with bowel movement:

Bifidobacterium longum and lactis

Lactobacillus casei Shirota

Escherichia coli Nissle

The use of Slippery Elm is also very effective in treating constipation.  Or probiotic rich foods such as kefir, sauerkraut or probiotic yoghurt.

Please remember to consult a Nutritionist or Naturopath for suitable supplements and dosages.

Abdominal Massage

Massaging your child’s abdomen in a clockwise direction daily may help with bowel movement.

Remember to always consult your doctor, and book an appointment with me now to discuss this or other issues further.