Complete Guide to Child Constipation

Constipation affects everyone at some point in their lives. If you know how uncomfortable it can be, imagine being a toddler or a baby with constipation. Kids can’t possibly understand constipation, and they can’t communicate their symptoms, depending on their age. It can be a while before you realize your child is constipated. Infrequent bowel movements and less than three in a week is the most common symptom. Constipation in children is short-lived in many cases and easy to resolve. To treat it timely and effectively, you must learn how to recognize the symptoms of constipation in your children.

Symptoms in Babies and Toddlers

The symptoms of constipation in children are not much different from the signs we notice as adults. The communication gap is the main difference since kids can’t communicate; as parents, we must keep their bowel movements in check to recognize any irregularities in their bowel movements.

· Babies

Breastfeeding babies often get constipated once they start a solid diet. Here are some signs of constipation in babies and infants:

Difficulty in passing stool
Aching or crying during bowel movements
Dry stools
Hard stools
Pellet looking bowel movements
Fewer bowel movements

The frequency of bowel movements varies from child to child, so observing the frequency of bowel movements is essential. If your child has one bowel movement daily and hasn’t had one for a few days, this could be the first sign the baby is constipated.

· Toddlers

Toddlers have almost the same symptoms of constipation. Some other symptoms to look out for are:

Stomach gets hard
Swollen abdomen
Traces of blood on tissue or diaper (because of micro-tears around the opening due to hard stools)
Unusual hard and large stools
Flatulence

Older Kids

Older kids show all the symptoms of constipation mentioned above. They can also complain about a stomachache. They may avoid going to the bathroom because of painful bowel movements.

Home Remedies

Constipation is uncomfortable for children, but it’s rarely a symptom of an underlying condition. Several home remedies can help relieve the symptoms of constipation.

Increase the water intake
Use glycerin suppository.
Increase physical activity to help intestinal movements.
Increase fiber-rich diet

When To See A Pediatrician

If your child does not show signs of relief for two weeks or develops other symptoms, such as weight loss, abdominal swelling, fever, and refusing to eat, you should schedule an appointment with your pediatrician. If you’re in San Antonio, A thru Z Pediatrics is the best pediatric clinic San Antonio that provides a complete range of treatments for children and after-hour services as well. You can visit our Medical Center or the Stone Oak location in San Antonio. Visit our website to schedule an appointment online.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have concerns about your child's health, call your A thru Z Pediatrics office.