Constipation- Home Suggestions
Children under 6 months of age
Constipation is very rare in this age group and should your child seem constipated, you should visit your nurse/doctor.
Children 6 to 12 months of age
1. Encourage your baby to drink more water and fruit juices such as prune, pear, or apple. Give juices at full strength. Do not dilute the juice with water.
2. If your baby is eating solids, increase high fibre foods such as cereals (wheat bran), prunes, beans, and pears.
3. Encourage your child to be as active as possible. Exercise can really help this problem and improve your childs overall health.
4. Although mineral oil is sometimes recommended for this age group, we suggest that any regular use of laxatives should be given under the supervision of your nurse/doctor. Frequently children need some help to empty the rectum. Using a glycerin suppository or childrens enema is a simple and effective treatment. If mineral oil is used, give 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 mls) at bedtime. Mineral oil is also available in a mixture of raspberry jelly called Lansoyl. An alternative to mineral oil is lactulose. Ask your pharmacist to help purchase any of these treatments for occasional constipation.
Children over 1 year of age
1. Encourage your child to drink more water and fruit juices like prune, pear and apple. Do not dilute juice with water.
2. Increase the fibre in your childs diet with bran, beans, peanut butter, etc. Increasing the quantity of fruits and vegetables your child eats may also help. See CONSTIPATION: ADULT, page 41-44, for more detail.
3. If getting your child to eat foods rich in fibre is difficult, a psyllium fibre substitute may be tried. Try mixing one of these products, such as Metamucil, with orange juice or other foods to hide the taste. The smooth variety of Metamucil may be easier for a child to take.
4. Dont resort to laxatives, suppositories, or enemas too easily. These products are only useful for short-term relief. Constipation requires a long-term solution. CHILDREN CONSTIPATION 29 CHILDREN CONSTIPATION Home Suggestions
5. Laxatives should be used for short-term relief only. See your nurse/doctor if laxatives are needed on a regular basis. If your child is having trouble getting the bowel movement started, you can use a glycerin suppository or childrens enema. If you are going to use a laxative by mouth, we suggest Milk of Magnesia. It is given in a 1 to 2 tablespoon (15-30 mls) dose once or twice daily. Mineral oil may also be used in a 1 to 2 tablespoon dose at bedtime. An alternative to mineral oil is lactulose. Please ask your nurse/pharmacist to help purchase the right product for your child.
6. If your child is toilet trained, try to establish a routine. This means putting the child on the toilet for 5 to 15 minutes at a regular time. Choosing a time which coincides with previous common times for bowel movements or planning these times after meals is a good idea. You will be most successful if you stay away from trying to get your child to use the toilet at stressful times of the day. These would include getting ready for school, just before going out of the house or just prior to bed.
After following these Home Suggestions, continue with the questions below.
Is the child still constipated?
