Constipation occurs commonly in children, affecting up to 10% at any given time. Still, only 3% of parents actually seek advice from the doctor for this condition. Constipation describes the infrequent passage of stools (bowel movements) or the passage of hard stools. Any definition of constipation depends upon comparison with how often the child normally passes stools and with the usual consistency of his or her stools.
Many children normally pass stools as far apart as every few days. Regardless, you should treat hard stools that are difficult to pass and those that happen only every three days as constipation.
Constipation is not a disease. It is a symptom of a poor health condition. This is the result of eating too much processed foods that are lacking in fiber, and insufficient fresh foods that are full of live nutrients and enzymes.
Constipation in Children Causes
Infants and children with constipation are treated differently than adults, because patterns of bowel movements change from the time they are born until they reach the age of 3 or 4 years. The majority of children with constipation do not have a medical disease or disorder causing the constipation. Rarely, a disorder causes infants and children to have significant problems moving their bowels.
Many things can contribute to constipation.
- The most common cause in a child older than 18 months is their willful avoidance of the toilet (for various reasons). For example, toddlers are often so involved in their play that they lack time or patience for toilet breaks.
- At school they may be concerned with lack of privacy or the cleanliness of the bathroom.
- They may have had a prior painful or frightening experience that makes them want to avoid the bathroom. Over time, their brain learns to ignore repeated urges by the colon to visit the bathroom. As stool remains in the colon, the colon will absorb water out of the stool, making it hard and dry. This hard stool is even more difficult or painful to pass, which causes the child to continue "holding it."
- Changes in diet, or a different diet affect bowel habits. In adults, high-fiber diets have been shown to improve bowel function. In children, however, high-fiber diets have not been proven to improve constipation. Infants and children who eat well-balanced meals typically are not constipated.
- Breastfed infants will generally have more stools per day. Their stools vary more in frequency when compared to bottle-fed infants. For example, breastfed infants produce anywhere from 5-40 bowel movements per week; whereas formula-fed infants have 5-28 bowel movements per week. Switching the type of milk (or formula) can also cause constipation.
- Teenagers and toddlers who eat a lot of sugar and desserts are prone to difficult passing of their stools.
- Any intense changes in a child-such as illnesses causing fever, becoming bedridden, eating less, or dehydration may decrease the frequency of stools or may harden stools.
- A number of medical disorders can cause chronic constipation. Diet/Lifestyle Suggestions
- The fiber intake should be more of the insoluble type which is abundant in vegetables, fruit, wheat bran cereals and whole grain foods. Wheatgrass provides a rich source of fiber, which is good for the colon health and detoxification. According to the Natural Health Group, wheat grass powder contains fiber that has a mildly cleansing effect in the body. Fruity wheatgrass not only containing wheatgrass, it has a variety kind of fruit from apple, orange, kiwi, peach to strawberry. It is highly recommanded Fruity wheatgrass as a daily serving for kids as they will enjoy vegetables and fruits by taking good taste Fruity wheatgrass.
- Reduce intake of animal protein, dairy products and processed foods. Avoid over-the-counter laxatives. Indulge instead, in natural laxatives that are abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables (Fruity Wheatgrass which is a combination of wheatgrass + fruit is highly recommanded ). Consult your doctor and work with him to cut back on drugs that may contribute to constipation.
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