Every little baby will experience constipation as they grow up. As an extremely uncomfortable disease, the principle of "prevention first, treatment second" should be followed for the disease. In daily life, parents should pay attention to their baby's diet. If a baby has constipation, it needs to be scientifically regulated. So, let's introduce how to regulate constipation in children?
Specific causes of constipation in babies
Often not having enough food, sometimes the baby's appetite is relatively small, and after digestion, there is less food in the digestive system, which can lead to stubborn constipation. Another issue is that food that is not suitable for children can also lead to constipation. There is another situation where the baby's intestinal function is disrupted: due to various reasons such as irregular lifestyle and bowel movements, the baby may experience constipation. Other factors include genetic and physiological deficiencies, as well as psychological factors.
Methods for regulating constipation in babies
1. Dietary regulation
To treat and regulate constipation in babies, regulation should be the main focus, with treatment as a supplement. Try to adjust the diet structure as much as possible, diversify the diet, and encourage children to eat more fruits, vegetables, and other foods rich in crude fiber. Finally, it is important to pay attention to replenishing water. Drinking a glass of honey water or cold boiled water on an empty stomach half an hour before each meal and after waking up in the morning can have a moisturizing and laxative effect. For children who still have constipation after adjustment, medication can be taken appropriately for treatment.
2. Adjusting lifestyle habits
If the baby suffers from long-term constipation, parents should pay enough attention and seek medical attention to identify the corresponding causes. At this point, attention should also be paid to treating constipation in children, and improving diet is a key focus. Control the consumption of commercially available children's food such as cereal, cake, cookies, etc; Encourage them to drink more water; Carrots, vegetables, bamboo shoots, potatoes, corn, and other fiber rich foods are common table dishes. Additionally, changing lifestyle habits is also important. Cultivate good habits of going to bed early, getting up early, and defecating in the morning. After persisting for a period of time, constipation will improve or be cured. If constipation is particularly severe, laxatives can be used under the guidance of a doctor, but do not use laxatives for too long on your own. Otherwise, if constipation is not relieved, new illnesses may arise.
3. Training on bowel habits
① Time arrangement: Mainly utilizing the "early postprandial response" and "late postprandial response" of the gastrocolic reflex to arrange children's bowel movements.
② Method: Patiently explain the significance of defecation training, instruct the child to sit on the toilet bowl for 5-10 minutes 30 minutes after drinking water or breakfast every morning, and ensure that the toilet is at an appropriate height so that the knees are above the hips and the feet are on the ground for exertion. Learn to use force during defecation, and also incorporate thoughts to imagine feces moving in the intestinal tract, avoiding fatigue caused by squatting, sitting for long periods of time, and hard work during defecation.
③ Guide family members to fill out a defecation diary, accurately recording the frequency of enema and defecation, stool volume, stool characteristics, intensity, duration of each toileting session, assistance with defecation, presence of feces, etc., and dynamically observe the improvement situation.
④ If the treatment is effective, encouragement should be given while patiently treating. Even if bowel movements are not successful, the child should not be blamed.
4. Other methods
The method of massaging the abdomen can relieve constipation symptoms. The specific method is for adults to massage the child's abdomen clockwise with their palms, 1-2 times a day, for 3 minutes each time. It is also possible to give children a cup of salt boiled water every morning to increase intestinal peristalsis and effectively improve constipation.
If a child is unable to defecate for several days and feels uncomfortable crying and noisy, parents can cut a small strip of soap, dip it in water, rub it into a cylindrical shape with their hands, and insert it into the anus. You can also use your little finger to put on rubber gloves and apply some Vaseline or paraffin oil into the child's anus, or use commercially available laxatives for defecation. But these methods should not be commonly used, and the focus should still be on cultivating the habit of defecating on time.
Kind reminder: Actually, the best method is to seek medical attention in a timely manner and avoid using incorrect methods for treatment. Everything should be based on science.
