Your child is constipated and you don’t know how to help him? With a healthy lifestyle and a change in eating habits, it is easy to put things back in place.
In children, we speak of constipation when there is a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements. The latter are then hard, painful and sometimes require an effort for expulsion. Constipation affects many young children, especially when they begin food diversification.
In babies, defecation is a reflex that appears during food intake. Therefore, when we reduce baby’s meals with the introduction of food diversification, the number of stools decreases, which is normal. Around 2 years old, defecation can be controlled, this is the time for toilet training. But then what foods to give your child when he is constipated?
A balanced diet to fight constipation
Prioritize fibers : they absorb water from the residues present in the colon and create softer stools, which improves intestinal transit in children. However, they have no apparent nutritional value.
Among the foods rich in fiber, we find: dried fruits (prunes, apricots, etc.), whole grains, vegetables and fresh fruits (such as leeks, spinach, broccoli, artichokes, raspberries, kiwis, plums, etc. ..). Legumes (lentils, white and red beans, broad beans, etc.) are also recommended in case of constipation.
Limit sweets and starches. Certain foods should be limited when your child is constipated. Slow sugars such as white bread, pasta, potatoes, rice or even semolina tend to slow down intestinal transit.
In addition, fast sugars are not recommended either. So also limit sweets, pastries or cakes, until the stools return to normal consistency and frequency.
Prevent Constipation
Make sure your child is well hydrated, especially when it’s hot and if he spends a lot. Give him enough to drink before he is thirsty. The ideal is to offer a glass of water or juice in the morning (without added sugar), on an empty stomach, to help your child’s intestinal transit to get started.
Also think of the soups of green vegetables, radish tops, with a little potato and a hint of fresh cream to sweeten it all. In summer, play the refreshment with gazpachos of tomatoes or zucchini. In addition to a balanced diet, it is important Avoid snacking between meals.
Physical activity is also a good way to fight against constipation. If he is still a toddler, shake your baby’s legs to make him pedal gently, and do not hesitate to massage his belly gently, three to four times a day. If he is older, make sure he does physical activity every day: walking, ball games, cycling, etc. Being on the move does indeed stimulate the appetite and somewhat lazy bowels.
But remember: if bowel movements are less frequent and your child reports pain, do not hesitate to consult your pediatrician.