If a baby has a heavy appetite for food and does not like to drink water, it is easy to develop constipation. A 3-year-old baby has already learned to defecate on their own. If the baby experiences constipation but is unable to defecate, they can only cry and seek help from their mother. So, what should I do if a 3-year-old child suffers from constipation?
Common causes of constipation in 3-year-old babies
1. Children are in the stage of growth and development, and they are prone to internal heat. If they eat too much fat, sweet, and rich food, and have a preference for vegetables and fruits, it may lead to a decline in digestive function over time, causing food to stay in the intestines for too long and generating internal heat. The combination of the two heats can damage the body's fluids and cause constipation.
2. For those who have not received breastfeeding, their diet mainly consists of milk and sugar, and they do not pay attention to adding complementary foods that are beneficial for defecation, often resulting in constipation from infancy.
3. During early childhood, if commercially available fine soft children's food is the main staple, constipation will be even more severe.
4. From a young age, those who spoil and lack regular sleep, especially those who do not sleep at night and sleep more during the day, are most prone to constipation. In addition, those who lack regular bowel movements (especially in the morning) may also experience constipation.
5. Due to the limited variety of infant diets, foods that are often consumed have less fiber and higher protein content, making them prone to constipation. When a baby is constipated, the main symptoms are crying incessantly during each bowel movement, and even anal fissures. The occurrence of anal fissures causes infants to develop a fear of bowel movements, leading to a vicious cycle and exacerbating constipation.
How to deal with constipation in a three-and-a-half-year-old baby
Normal children should defecate 1-2 times a day. It is generally believed that defecation occurs once every 3-7 days. If the stool is hard and voluminous, in the form of chestnut granules, and the defecation process is prolonged or difficult, causing pain, it can be considered constipation. Currently, it is believed that a lack of fiber in daily diet is the main cause of constipation. The key to treatment lies in clearing fecal lumps, rebuilding good bowel habits, and encouraging the child to enjoy defecation. Treat with laxatives, bowel training, and dietary adjustments.
1. While giving babies plenty of water, it is also important to include foods high in crude fiber in their diet, such as spinach, chives, fungus, seaweed, apples, oranges, and so on. Simultaneously massage the baby's abdomen to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis.
2. Train your baby's bowel habits and have them defecate regularly every day, even if they don't defecate at times. You can arrange for your baby to defecate after breakfast or dinner.
3. Appropriately increase the baby's activity level, such as taking her for outdoor walks and play, running, jumping, etc., to promote intestinal peristalsis.
4. You can give your baby some yogurt, which can regulate their gut microbiota.
