Three Tips for Remedying Chronic Constipation in Kids

It’s not unusual for kids to have bouts of constipation on occasion. However, when left untreated, constipation in kids can get worse.

At Capital City Primary and Immediate Care in Silver Springs, Maryland, and Washington, DC, Dr. Fernando Porter specializes in pediatrics and helping parents get the immediate help they need when problems like constipation arise.

Here, we want to share with you some things you can do at home to remedy your child’s chronic constipation.

1. Develop a bathroom routine

Bowel habits vary from person to person. Some people have a bowel movement several times a day, while others only go a few times a week. In kids, constipation occurs when they pass large, dry stools and have fewer bowel movements than normal.

When kids have large and dry stools, they may find going to the bathroom painful and withhold stool or ignore the urge to go. If your child is withholding stool, developing a bathroom routine is essential for remedying their constipation.

Start by having your child sit on the toilet for 5-10 minutes after meals. Eating stimulates bowel movements, and this routine may trigger the bowel reflex that promotes regularity.

2. Add fiber

Getting kids to eat a balanced diet is challenging, especially if they’re picky eaters. But finding ways to add more fiber to their diet is one of the most effective tools for treating and preventing constipation.

Fiber softens stools, making them easier to pass. Kids need 10-25 grams of fiber a day depending on their age. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans are excellent sources of fiber.

Making a few changes to their diet may help you boost their daily fiber intake to improve bowel movements. For example, adding a fruit or vegetable to each meal, using whole-wheat bread for toast and sandwiches, or adding beans to soups and salads.

When adding fiber to your child’s diet, go slow. Too much fiber too fast may exacerbate the situation. If your child starts to complain of belly pain or bloating when adding fiber, go a little slower.

3. Drink more fluids

Drinking more fluids like water and juice makes it easier for poop to travel through the intestine. How much fluid your child needs depends on their age and activity. School-age kids should drink 3-4 cups of water a day.

Making sure your child is drinking enough is especially important when adding more fiber to their diet. Too much fiber and not enough fluids can make the constipation worse.

When home remedies fail to ease your child’s constipation, we can help. We provide recommendations to treat your child’s constipation, while you help normalize bowel habits by creating a bathroom routine, adding more fiber, and encouraging more fluid.

Our providers are available 24/7 through our telemedicine service. Let us help you fix your child’s constipation. Call our office or book an appointment online today.