Before looking for medicine for constipation, you need to confirm if your child indeed is constipated. What are the signs of toddler constipation? The following signs will tell you if your toddler needs to have more fiber in her diet.
- She has infrequent bowel movements, especially if she hasn't had one in the last few days and seems uncomfortable when passing stools.
- She has dry and hard stools.
- She has very liquid stools in her diaper. You may get this as diarrhea but actually; liquid stools can slip past hard stools in the lower intestine and can end up in your child's underwear or diaper.
What's the Best Medicine for Constipation?
What then can you do with your constipated child? What is the best medicine for constipation? Here are 5 things you can do to help your child have good bowel movements again.
1. Avoid giving her too many foods, which have binding effect such as bananas, cooked carrots or squash. Dairy products, which are consumed in large quantities, can also cause constipation. For your toddler, you may give her 2 to 3 daily servings of dairy products such as cheese, milk, ice cream or yogurt. Moderation can be a medicine for constipation.
2. Increase the fiber intake of your toddler. It is more difficult to find and let your child have over the counter medicine for constipation. You might as well prevent constipation and keep your toddler's digestive system healthy by teaching her to consume fiber rich foods. Fruits and vegetables known to be rich in fiber are prunes, broccoli, pears, beans and peas.
3. In order to keep your toddler's stool soft, rehydrate her. Water is one best medicine for constipation. There are also other fluids that can help her relieve constipation but there are limitations to a toddler's consumption or else they'll destroy her teeth or ruin her appetite. Prune or apple juice can be given up to 4 oz every day. Take note of the number of her wet diapers to see if she is adequately hydrated. She should have 4 to 5 wet diapers per day or, if she's potty-trained, should pee at least once within 5-6 hours duration.
4. Increase your toddler's physical activity. Encourage her to crawl, walk or cruise in order to let her blood flow into all her body organs. Good physical activity is also another medicine for constipation.
5. Massage your child's tummy. Massage is also a good medicine for constipation. Measure around 3 finger-widths just below her navel and apply gentle yet firm pressure using your fingertips. Press there until you feel a certain firmness or mass. Keep gentle and constant pressure on the area for 3 minutes.
Medicine for Constipation Alternatives
Lastly, don't force your child to potty train even before she is ready. Forcing her to use the toilet can just make her scared or resentful and could lead her to withhold her bowel movements. Try to look for the signs that your toddler is ready to be potty trained in order to avoid toilet anxiety, which can also lead to constipation. Consult your family doctor for more medicine for constipation.
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