Folk remedies for childhood constipation. Exercise for constipation

Folk remedies for constipation in children are captivating natural composition, especially when we're talking about about kids. But natural remedies can be harmful if used incorrectly.

The frequency of bowel movements depends on age, digestive characteristics and food composition. In newborn babies, defecation 1-12 times a day is considered normal. After a year, the numbers range from several times a day to once every two days. Constipation in early age determined by stool frequency, changes in density, difficulty in bowel movements, pain and bloating.

Treatment of constipation in children with folk remedies gently and effectively copes with the symptoms, but does not eliminate the root cause. Chronic constipation is a sign of serious illnesses that require medical intervention, or indicate an unhealthy diet. How younger age child, the more dangerous self-medication is. To avoid complications, consult your pediatrician before using folk remedies.

Folk remedies for constipation for oral administration

The choice of treatment method depends on the age of the child and individual contraindications (allergic reactions). In case of isolated defecation delays, choose a laxative yourself. With frequent constipation, additional diagnostics and careful selection of treatment under the guidance of an experienced doctor are necessary.

Laxatives according to folk recipes are easy to prepare at home. Every housewife can find the ingredients; herbs for decoctions and oils are sold in pharmacies. Folk remedies for treating constipation are divided into 2 types:

• for oral administration;
• for enemas.

Oral laxatives increase intestinal motility or soften stool, making it easier to pass. Enemas with oils and decoctions quickly empty the intestines and are dangerous and unpleasant for the child. It is advisable to use it urgently if other methods have failed.

Oils against constipation

Vegetable oils - effective natural remedy from constipation. If the dose is observed, it gently and safely accelerates bowel movements and is indicated at any age. Until six months, it is sterilized in a water bath and given a few drops before feeding.

Types of oils used:

• Linen. A proven natural remedy, it tastes good and has a rich composition. To get a laxative effect in the morning, the child drinks 1 serving of oil before bed and 1 half hour before breakfast. The dosage depends on age and is half a teaspoon at 6-12 months and 1-1.5 teaspoons up to 4 years. For children over 4, use 2-3 tablespoons of oil.
• Sunflower. A safe product, always at hand. For babies in the first year of life, 1/3 teaspoon 1-2 times a day is enough. Children under 7 years old – 1 spoon before bedtime and on an empty stomach. For children school age the dose is increased to 2-3 tablespoons.
• Olive. A quick and mild laxative, suitable for the prevention of constipation in children over 6 months. One teaspoon of oil is mixed with juice or fruit puree and given to the baby on an empty stomach. Add half a teaspoon to your plate at every meal. Children over 7 years old are given a whole spoon. Use extra virgin olive oil.
• Castor. Well-known vegetable oil for constipation, stimulating intestinal function. Taking 1-2 teaspoons has a laxative effect after 4-6 hours. Use castor oil once; long-term use causes a chronic decrease in intestinal tone. Give to children up to adolescence forbidden.
• Vaseline. Highly purified petroleum product. Helps with chronic constipation, but to avoid intestinal atony, do not use for more than 5 days in a row. Contraindicated until one year of age. Children under 3 years old are given half a teaspoon at night or between meals. Preschoolers - 1 spoon, and over seven years - 1.5 spoons.

Raisin and dill water

Dill water is a safe laxative. Doesn't have side effects, is actively used for newborns and older children. Relieves spasms, reduces gas formation, has a sedative and antimicrobial effect.

Dill water can be prepared at home in 2 ways:

1. Pour 1 teaspoon of fennel or dill seeds into two cups of boiling water. Leave covered for at least an hour and strain.
2. Grind 1 teaspoon of seeds, pour in a glass of boiled water, leave for 40 minutes, strain.

For infants, 1 teaspoon is enough dill water up to 6 times a day before feeding. When breastfeeding, mother can additionally drink dill water. For kids over a year old give 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day. For school age, the dosage is increased to 4 spoons.

Do not keep homemade dill water for more than a day. Industrial analogues are prepared from purified essential oil and are stored longer. Don't expect dill water to quickly solve your bowel problem. The result is noticeable after a few days, treats chronic constipation and is suitable for prevention.

Raisin water is a mild product. To prepare, you need to pour a tablespoon of washed raisins with a glass of boiling water and leave for over 3 hours. Babies from 6 to 24 months need 2-3 teaspoons of decoction three times a day. Older children can drink raisin water instead of compote or eat whole raisins with water.

Decoctions of prunes and chamomile

Prune decoction is used for 6 months. A strong laxative is prepared as follows: rinse 10 dried plums, pour into a glass cold water and cook for 2-3 minutes. The cooled decoction is given before feeding or bedtime in a dosage of 2 teaspoons if the child is less than a year old. After a year, take half a glass twice a day.

Chamomile decoction is a mild remedy that is effective for uncomplicated cases of constipation. For one large spoon of dried chamomile, you will need two glasses of hot water. Heat the mixture in a water bath for 5 minutes and strain. Up to 3 years old, it is recommended to take 2 tablespoons three times a day, over 3 years old – half a glass of decoction 2-3 times a day.

Vegetable and fruit juices for constipation

Freshly squeezed juices are used to treat and prevent constipation:

• cabbage;
• beet;
• pumpkin;
• carrot;
• apple;
• plum;
• pear;
• grape

Juices are not recommended for children under 6 months, and after that they should be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio. The volume of the resulting drink is increased gradually, starting with 2-3 tablespoons. After 3 years, give half a glass. The pulp content enhances the laxative effect due to fiber; use an auger juicer.

Honey, flax seeds, oats

Folk recipes for long-term constipation in children are distinguished by their natural composition and ease of preparation. For children over 1-2 years old, offer a laxative in the morning before breakfast. honey drink from a tablespoon of natural honey dissolved in a glass of warm boiled water. Honey is a common allergen; before first use, make sure there is no allergic reaction.

Prepare a laxative rich in nutrients from flax. Pour two teaspoons of seeds into a glass of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. Give the resulting viscous mass to children over one year old, starting with half a spoon before each feeding.

A fast-acting laxative medicine is prepared from oat grains, suitable for children over two years of age. Add 0.5 liters of boiling water to a glass of oats, leave in a thermos overnight or cook for 20 minutes. Take on an empty stomach in the morning. At the age of up to 3 years, give 1-2 large spoons, and after three years, increase the dose to 1/3 or half a glass.

Enemas - a measure emergency care with a long absence of bowel movements. Regular use threatens intestinal dysfunction and dysbacteriosis. Start with mild laxatives for oral administration and only then resort to enemas.

For infants, the enema is administered while lying on their back with their legs elevated. Place an older child on his side with his knees bent. Heat the injected solution to body temperature. Decoctions are used medicinal herbs, Vaseline or vegetable oil, diluted with water in equal proportions. The procedure is painful and can frighten the baby, so you need to act delicately.

Rules for and contraindications of treatment with folk remedies

A safe laxative for children and folk remedies are not always synonymous. To avoid severe consequences, be sure to consult your pediatrician before you start fighting constipation. Illiterate prescription of home remedies can lead to complications:

1. Allergy . Before using natural laxatives, honey, juices or chamomile, check if your baby has allergies.
2. Burns. It is forbidden to insert a piece into the rectum laundry soap or apple cider vinegar.
3. Poisoning. Laxatives for adults should not be prescribed to children.
4. Intestinal atony . Long-term use of certain products reduces peristalsis and aggravates the problem.

At severe pain or blood in the stool, you should immediately consult a doctor, diagnose and traditional treatment. In other cases, it is useful for the child to drink more fluids, include foods rich in fiber in the diet, and be active. The effect of folk remedies will not keep you waiting.

At 3 years old, when the baby has just begun to get used to the toilet instead of the potty, he may experience constipation caused by a change in the usual process of bowel movements. Internal fear causes the child to develop constipation, which can cause problems in the intestines if nothing is done.

Each child has its own characteristics of the body. Some children can go to the toilet once every 1-2 days, others can go 5 times a day. According to medical standards, children should defecate at least once a day.

A feature of constipation is intoxication of the young body due to contamination with toxins. In such situations, the child’s behavior changes. He becomes lethargic and lacking energy. During bowel movements, he strains and cries a lot, he experiences pain in the lower abdomen and bloating, and the stool becomes hard.

One of the main reasons for fecal stagnation in 3-year-old children is a diet that does not contain enough liquid. This may also include changing your diet and increasing portions.

Classification of constipation

At the age of 3 years, a child can already tolerate and not tell his parents about abdominal pain, anus. If he does not go to the toilet, this does not establish the fact that he is constipated. The baby can simply endure it for fear of future pain. Such constipation is called pseudoconstipation and is accompanied by a disturbed psycho-emotional state.

Less commonly, children experience organic constipation, where the cause is a feature of the intestinal structure.

Commonly developing constipation include functional constipation. They may appear due to proper nutrition or indirect diseases.

Functional constipation

Functional constipation is divided into 2 types:

1. Spastic. The cause of the disease is stress or psychological shock. There is a disturbance in the functioning of the intestines due to excessive contractions of the muscles of the digestive tract. This can also include cracks in the walls of the anus or disease of the endocrine system.
2. Atonic. Such constipation occurs due to poor diet and sedentary lifestyle of children. The reason for this is weakening of the intestinal muscles.

Functional constipation is divided into 2 groups: temporary and chronic. In the first case, it lasts no more than 4-5 days. As for the chronic, everything is more serious here. With this disease, the baby regularly goes to the chair no more than once in 6-7 days and soils the laundry in his sleep, since the young body is not able to independently contain liquid feces.

Organic constipation

This type of constipation is associated with improper intestinal structure. The child may have the anomaly from birth or develop later.

The frequency of this disease is observed no more than 1 case in 5000 children.

The cause of intestinal deformation may be postoperative adhesions or a tumor. Organic constipation in 3-year-old children can only be cured with the help of a specialist. A special diet developed by your doctor, as well as laxatives and enemas, will help you get rid of such constipation.

Pseudoconstipation

Pseudoconstipation is not caused by any disease. As such, the child does not have constipation, and he can easily walk on a chair, since children of this age already do this consciously. The reason is the fear of going to the toilet. Psychologically, they are afraid to go to the toilet at a party or on the street. Pseudoconstipation can be identified by tense legs and heels pressed into the floor.

Prolonged retention can cause stool to stagnate in the colon and form a hard lump. This causes weakening of the intestinal muscles and develops into functional constipation.

Causes of constipation in babies

At the age of 3 years, the large intestine is growing in children, and the small intestine is already formed. This may cause problems with bowel movements. The situation may worsen incorrect operation intestines due to problems with the nervous system.

Reasons for constipation in 3-year-old children:

• lack of fluid in food;
• genetic predisposition;
• helminthic infestations;
• constant change of food intake;
• food allergies;
• bowel disease;
• low activity;
• monotonous and dry food;
• hypothyroidism;
• use of medications.

Constipation can also be caused by low fiber content in a child's diet.

Why is it necessary to treat constipation?

Constipation in a 3-year-old child (what to do and what not to do will be described below) can have a detrimental effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. With difficulty in emptying, the body does not absorb all useful substances and vitamins well. This leads to weakened immunity and the development of anemia.

While in the large intestine, feces are absorbed into the intestinal walls, thereby poisoning the body. Subsequently, the child will have a weakened appetite and impaired tone.

With prolonged constipation, the intestinal walls stretch, which in the future can lead to chronic constipation.

Ways to help a 3-year-old child

Constipation in a 3-year-old child (what to do will be described below) is an unpleasant ailment, but easily curable if you take healing actions. There are many options for relieving your baby of constipation.

Below are the main and most effective methods:

Laxatives for children 1-6 years old: table by age

Below is a list of laxatives with age recommendations:

All laxative medications only eliminate the problem, but do not cure.

Syrup "Pomogusha": instructions, indications and contraindications

Part baby syrup included a large number of ingredients that have beneficial effects on the child’s body. Strawberry leaves, anise fruits, fruits, vitamins B and C improve intestinal function, balance metabolism and create a laxative effect for functional stomach disorders.

Pomogusha syrup is recommended for children as dietary product and a mild laxative. Daily intake for children under 3 years old it is 15 ml, for older children - 20 ml. The drug can be combined with water or tea. Application period – 2 weeks.

The laxative medicine has no contraindications. Only individual intolerance of the body is possible.

Microlax capsules

This product has a laxative effect for adults and children. For rectal use only. It is necessary to use capsules in the following way: After removing the seal, you need to press on the tube and squeeze out its contents. The drug has fast action, so after 15 min. the baby will have a bowel movement.

Microlax has no contraindications, but it cannot be used on an ongoing basis.

Folk remedies

Constipation in a 3-year-old child can be treated with non-native remedies.

Below we will describe what to do to achieve positive result Houses:

There is a huge list of recipes traditional treatment constipation in children. Which one to choose depends on the parents and the children’s tolerance to certain ingredients.

Cleansing enemas: rules for setting

Esmarch's mug needs to be hung, filled with 2 liters of the prepared liquid and the tap opened to release the remaining air.

Before the procedure, it is recommended to lie on your back, place your feet shoulder-width apart and insert the tip into anal hole. Then you need to open the tap. When all the liquid comes out of Esmarch's mug, the tap must be closed. In order for the liquid to be distributed evenly throughout the intestines, you need to constantly turn on your side.

If constipation has been prolonged, then the intestines will not be able to cope with the release of feces, so it is better to carry out the procedure in the bath. You need to lie down for about 15-20 minutes. and go to the toilet. In some cases feces can take up to 1 hour, so you need to set aside time for the procedure in advance.

Diet

Basic foods to prevent constipation:

All of the above products can be combined or taken individually; a single serving is not limited.

Normalization of the daily routine

To restore stool, it is important to maintain a regime of wakefulness and rest. It is necessary to teach your baby to go to the toilet in convenient time and inform parents when you are ready to have a bowel movement. Your knees should be bent (you can put something under your feet for comfort).

Massage

You need to remember the rules:

Physiotherapy

With daily exercise therapeutic exercises the child needs to gradually increase repetitions of exercises from 3-5 to 8-10 times per session.

Exercises commonly prescribed by doctors to treat and prevent constipation in children:

1. Stand on one leg alternately for 25-30 seconds.
2. Walking on all fours for 20-25 seconds.
3. In a standing position, place your feet shoulder-width apart and bend over, reaching your toes with your fingertips. Start with 4 repetitions.
4. Walk in place, raising your knees high, for 30-35 seconds.
5. Lying on your back, make a movement, simulating riding a bicycle, for 20-25 seconds.
6. Lying on your stomach, grab your feet from behind with your hands and rock 455 times.

Parents need to help their children do gymnastics for better effect.

When is medical help needed?

If you have been constipated for 4-5 days, you should immediately consult a specialist. It is also necessary to consult a pediatrician if constipation is chronic, associated with pathology or neurology of the body. Self-medication in such cases threatens other diseases and deterioration of intestinal functions.

Prevention

Constipation in a 3-year-old child (what to do in each case is determined individually) can be easily cured by following standard rules and doctor’s recommendations:

Every morning you need to give your baby purified water to drink. It is not recommended to give boiled water, as boiling it removes important minerals.

The doctor assures parents that if their baby does not go to the stool for 2-3 days, but does not complain of bloating and pain in the abdomen, then you just need to wait until he has a bowel movement. All children have different specifics of how their body works.

If a child complains of pain and discomfort, then you need to resort to some advice. First, parents need to review the child’s diet and change it. Food should not be dry. Allowed foods can be combined until intestinal function normalizes.

Dr. Komarovsky strictly prohibits stimulating the intestines with soap. By the best means he considers glycerin suppositories and lactulose syrup. Candles, according to him, are the lightest and effective way. If these 2 remedies do not bring results, then you need to consult a doctor.

At the age of 3, a child has already developed thinking. If parents know what to do if their baby is constipated, they will help with physical education, guide active image life and observe proper diet, the child will never be exposed to diseases gastrointestinal tract.

Article format: Vladimir the Great

Video about constipation in children

Treatment of constipation in children:

02.04.2017

To avoid problems with the digestive tract in the future, which occur in every second or third adult, parents should be sure to monitor intestinal function from the first days of the baby. This will prevent such serious consequences like indigestion, poor appetite, weight loss, inability to refuse a strict diet, allergic reactions and even decreased immunity, which directly depends on the functioning of the small and large intestines. All this leads to stool retention. But we will tell you further how to help a child with constipation at home.

What do experts call constipation?

Before starting treatment at home, it is important to make sure whether the baby really has constipation. This can be determined by the frequency of stool and its structure according to the following criteria:

1. Children in the first months of life feeding mother's milk, defecate on average 6–10 times a day, then before 6 months this amount decreases to 3–4 times a day and from 6 to 12 months – 1–2 times a day. The absence of stool for 2-3 days indicates incipient constipation. Artificial babies must empty their bowels even more often, since formula is usually less digestible. Parents should sound the alarm if such a baby has stools less than 1-2 times a day under one year old, regardless of age.
2. In preschoolers and children of primary school age (7–12 years), with normal bowel function, bowel movements usually occur 1–2 times a day. But if the baby does not go to the toilet for 2-3 days, you should think about how to cleanse the body.
3. The frequency of bowel movements in adolescents coincides with that in adults: feces are excreted from the body once every 1–2 days. Constipation in this case is considered to be the absence of stool for 3-4 days.

Be sure to pay attention to what the stool looks like. For babies up to 6 months normal stool mushy and only from the moment complementary foods are introduced, soft “sausages” gradually begin to form, and the density of the feces increases. In older children, stool is denser, drier, and comes out in large pieces. A sign of constipation is considered to be a very hard “sausage” or the formation of small “sheep” balls.

It is also necessary to take a closer look at the child’s well-being. Infants who cannot empty their bowels usually cry a lot, grunt, strain until their faces become very red or blue, refuse to eat, and become very anxious. In older children, these symptoms are supplemented by whims and a reluctance to sit on the potty or, conversely, to get off it.

Features of treatment in infants

Children in the first year of life are largely prone to constipation due to insufficient maturity of the digestive tract. However, the following tips can ease the suffering of your child, who suffers daily from discomfort and pain:

1. If you are breastfeeding, carefully review your menu. Exclude from it all products that have fixing properties: pomegranates, pears, quince, semolina, rice, pastries, legumes, black bread, bakery products made from white flour, strongly brewed tea and coffee, cabbage, beans. Daily consumption of foods rich in natural fiber (a variety of vegetables in the form of salads with vegetable oil and fruits, especially beets, figs, dried apricots, baked potatoes, grapes and prunes), diluted fresh juice from beets and carrots, kefir, fermented baked milk, etc. However, all of the above must be introduced into the diet carefully, in small portions, so as not to cause allergies .
2. Infants who are on artificial feeding, for constipation, special fermented milk mixtures or mixtures that include prebiotics, probiotics, lactulose, oligosaccharides or exotic carob beans are often prescribed. Before use, they must be prepared strictly according to the instructions.
3. Massage and gymnastic exercises provide excellent results for infants suffering from constipation. Before eating or a couple of hours after it, place the baby on his tummy so that he can actively move and independently increase intestinal motility. At this time you can stretch your legs and arms. Then turn the baby onto his back and stroke his belly, kneading it slightly, in a circle in a clockwise direction for 1-2 minutes. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times a day, completing it with gymnastic exercises, for example, bend and straighten the baby’s legs, pulling them towards the stomach, imitate cycling, try to reach the baby’s right knee to his left elbow and vice versa. Before gymnastics, give your baby a tablespoon of water to improve digestion (for children aged 3–4 years, its volume is increased to 100–200 ml).

How to treat constipation in children 1–3 years old

Parents of active one-year-olds and inquisitive three-year-olds must ensure that their child eats well and regularly and drinks as much as possible. If he is prone to chronic problems with bowel movements, do not give him soups with pureed vegetables, purees, sweets, confectionery and butter products, boiled rice or semolina with milk, tea, cocoa, soda, canned food, smoked meats, and spicy foods. Instead of snacks, offer your baby raw and boiled vegetables (best salads seasoned with olive oil) and fruits, dried fruits, juices, soups, plums, wholemeal bread, rosehip tea, peeled apples, boiled chicken, turkey or sea fish.

Eating bran will help greatly in facilitating the removal of feces from the body. After a year, you can add 1 teaspoon or tablespoon (depending on age) of this source coarse fiber in food daily.

If your child experiences constipation only occasionally, offer him already tried folk remedies:

• a mixture of raisins, dried apricots and prunes;
• puree or infusion of prunes;
• a glass of kefir or fermented baked milk before going to bed;
• beet or carrot juice diluted in a 1:1 ratio.

It is often possible to improve intestinal motility in young patients from this group with the help of very simple exercises. For example, a baby can pick up small toys from the floor from a standing position, simply leaning forward, or try to throw them off his own stomach without helping with his hands or moving his pelvis.

Treatment of constipation in children over 3 years of age

During this period, the child often develops neurogenic constipation associated with a nervous situation in the kindergarten or school. Insensitivity from a teacher or classmates may result in your son or daughter simply not being able to have a bowel movement outside the home. In addition to psychological conversations, in this case it is necessary to teach a preschooler or schoolchild to visit the toilet in the morning, before leaving home, or in the evening before bed.

Keep track of what your growing child eats. At this age, children are recommended to drink at least 1–1.5 liters mineral water without gas or compote per day. Don’t let them get carried away with pizzas, hamburgers and store-bought sweets: it’s better to prepare them more dishes from vegetables and fruits, soups, borscht, let’s dairy products(kefir, yogurt or fermented baked milk without additional dyes). Before breakfast, give 20 g of ground peas, which must be washed down with warmed water. boiled water. Not bad to drink and pickle from sauerkraut in the amount of 4–5 tablespoons per day.

In schoolchildren, constipation is often caused by physical inactivity, so it is advisable to control how much time the child spends watching TV or the computer. He must move, walk, and ideally, play sports. Make sure your child does the simplest physical exercises every morning:

• bending forward;
• exercises in which the legs need to be pulled towards the stomach;
• deep belly breathing;
• jumping on one leg for 10 seconds;
• swing with slightly bent or straightened legs;
• squats;
• running on all fours;
• classic "bicycle".

An infusion of flaxseed often helps improve bowel function. To do this, pour 1 teaspoon of flax seeds into a glass of just boiled water, leave for at least 4 hours, filter and drink overnight.

Drug therapy for constipation

When treating constipation in infants under 12 months, drugs containing lactulose are mainly used: Prelax, Lactusan or Duphalac. Suppositories with glycerin or buscopan have a fairly quick and gentle effect on the body. If problems with bowel movements have become chronic, you should consult a doctor about the use of prebiotics that improve intestinal microflora.

Children over 3 years old are often prescribed medications that soften stool and speed up their passage, such as Forlax or Macrogel.

Enemas and gas tubes: is it worth doing?

If none of the above remedies help and the baby continues to suffer from constipation, you have to resort to radical measures. These include the use gas outlet pipes, the end of which is inserted approximately 1-2 cm (for children under six months) or 4 cm (for older children) into the rectum, and enemas.

The gas outlet pipe is installed as follows:

1. Babies who have not yet turned 6 months old are placed on their backs, with their legs pressed against chest and hold it. Babies from six months old are laid on the left side and also hold their legs pressed to the chest.
2. Lubricate the end of the tube and the anus with Vaseline, insert it carefully and leave the tip in the rectum for about 10 minutes. If stool does not pass, gently twist it, but do not insert the tip further than 5 cm to avoid injury.
3. When gas and feces begin to pass, carefully remove the tube and press your baby's legs to your chest again for a minute. Be sure to wash the baby.

Microlax gentle microenemas are also effective for infants. It is very simple and convenient to administer, but in some cases it is necessary to administer regular enemas. For infants under one year of age, they are done using a syringe in a supine position, when the baby’s legs are pressed to the chest. After administering the liquid, it is necessary to squeeze the baby’s buttocks and hold them in this position for 1–5 minutes so that the feces are thoroughly washed out of the intestines. The depth of insertion into the anus is no more than 2.5 cm.

The principle of giving an enema to children over 12 months is similar to that described above, but for them they use an Esmarch mug with a volume of 1–2 liters. The child lies on his left side with his legs pulled up to his chest. When introducing liquid, Esmarch's mug should be held 50–70 cm above the baby and water should be poured in as slowly as possible. After completing the procedure, persuade him to lie down for 5-10 minutes, after which the feces should come out without much effort.

The volume of fluid administered (its temperature should be 28–35 degrees) depends on the age of the small patient and varies as follows:

• newborn – up to 30 ml;
• 1 year – 180 ml;
• 2 years – 250 ml;
• 6–7 years – 300–400 ml;
• 10 years and older – 500 ml.

Folk remedies for constipation

Often used in folk medicine the following means facilitating the process of defecation:

1. Infusion of chamomile. 1 tsp. pour dried chamomile flowers into a glass of just boiled water and leave for at least a quarter of an hour, after which let the child drink 1 tsp. 4–5 times a day.
2. Dill water. It is indispensable for constipation in infancy and is taken in a dosage of 1 tsp. 5 or more times a day.
3. Decoction of caraway fruits. 1 tbsp. l. Pour a glass of just boiled water over cumin fruit, boil over low heat for about 10 minutes, cool, strain and give your baby 1-2 tsp. 3–4 times a day.
4. Warm baths with a decoction prepared from the collection of cumin seeds, anise seeds, peppermint, and fennel fruits. All components are taken in equal quantities, crushed, and mixed well. Pour 120 g of the mixture into 1-2 liters of just boiled water, simmer in a water bath for about 15-20 minutes, then quickly cool, strain, squeeze out the remaining cake and pour into the bath. The water temperature should be between 36–37.5 degrees, and you can leave the child in the bath for no more than 5 minutes. The course of treatment includes 5–8 baths.

Although constipation in children is quite common, it is not difficult to understand what to do about it at home. The main thing is to normalize the daily menu and follow simple procedures that will help restore your child to his former activity and energy.

Due to insufficient bowel function, a child often develops a problem such as constipation. It was in the early childhood it should be taken seriously, as this will help to exclude serious pathologies internal organs, as well as diseases such as ulcers, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, hemorrhoids.

Treatment of constipation in children or what to do if a child has constipation?

First of all, you need to understand what constipation is and what are the reasons for its appearance in a baby. Only after this should treatment be carried out, while eliminating the cause.

Constipation is the absence of bowel movement for several days, or difficulty defecating. In children of different ages Constipation manifests itself in different ways and the causes are also different.

Babies who are fed exclusively breast milk should not have constipation, but if it does appear, it is the mother's fault. This means that she ate foods that strengthen her. It is normal to have stool after each feeding. If a newborn baby is fed formula and does not have a bowel movement within 24 hours, or does have a bowel movement, but with great difficulty, then this is constipation.

Normally, children under one year of age can have stools up to 2 times a day. A child from 1 to 2 years old should empty his intestines 1-2 times every 2 days. From the age of two – formed stool once every couple of days. Of course, deviations from the norm are allowed in each specific case.

Stool retention, bloating, gas formation, abdominal pain - these are the main signs of constipation that appear in children.

Causes of constipation in children

Incorrect diet for a nursing woman or baby.

• Insufficient amount of fluid entering the body.
• Early introduction of complementary foods or abrupt replacement of breast milk with artificial formulas.
• Sudden change in mixture.
• Dysbacteriosis.
• Worms.
• Allergy to food components.
• Stress and neuroses.

Consequences of constipation in children

Constipation causes poisoning of the child's body with toxic substances that are not excreted along with feces. They enter the bloodstream and can cause the development purulent diseases. Because of this, immunity sharply decreases. The baby loses appetite, turns gray and peels skin. Headaches, weakness and lethargy appear.

How to help a child with constipation using folk remedies

Treatment can only be carried out after identifying the causes that led to the problem. Most parents, if constipation occurs, do not dare to poison the child’s body with chemicals. medicines, trust folk recipes. To normalize the stool of a breastfed baby, a nursing mother should remove from her menu following products: rice, White bread, coffee, milk, black tea, legumes, juicy fruits, berries and carbonated drinks.

Lack of fluid makes stool hard and difficult to pass out. To prevent this from happening, you need to drink more water, fruit and herbal teas. The liquid softens the stool, so that it does not linger in the body. A decoction of prunes, figs, and flax seeds helps to cope with the problem especially well.

Constipation infant can be cured with a microenema with a decoction of flaxseed. It contains a lot of mucus, which coats the intestinal lining and helps digest food.

• Pour 1 teaspoon of flax seeds into one-half cup of boiling water. Leave for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain. Take the resulting mass half a teaspoon with water or milk.

Constipation in an infant will be helped by an infusion of pharmaceutical chamomile, dill and caraway seeds.

• Mix chamomile flowers, dill and caraway seeds - half a tablespoon each. Pour one tablespoon of this mixture into a thermos with half a liter of boiling water. Leave for two hours, strain. Infuse to give your baby one teaspoon before meals three times a day.

You can treat childhood constipation with sunflower oil.

• The oil must be sterilized. Start giving 1 drop before the first feeding, every day, increasing by 1 drop. Gradually increase the amount of oil to half a teaspoon. Take until constipation disappears.

Massaging the tummy, as well as bringing the legs bent at the knees to it, will help eliminate constipation in an infant.

If constipation occurs in children who eat the same food as adults, first of all, you need to remove constipating foods from their diet. Eat more vegetables and fermented milk drinks. Such a diet for constipation in children often has a positive effect.

• Chamomile will cope with spastic constipation(when the intestines are in good shape). And, on the contrary, with low intestinal tone - nettle, dandelion and yarrow, gooseberries and lingonberries.
• Fruit puree with prunes and dried apricots.
• Bran – excellent remedy, help normalize the functioning of the intestines. Eat 1 tablespoon of them for ten days.
• A bunch of fresh grapes a day.
• For thirty days, take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day fresh juice aloe.
• You can give your child a teaspoon of castor oil once, and after 5 hours the long-awaited effect will occur. Castor oil can easily be replaced with olive oil.
• Prunes will be a tasty laxative. Pour warm water over the berries and leave. Then squeeze and consume a few pieces every day.
• Beet salad seasoned with sunflower or olive oil will give the desired result.
• An excellent remedy to solve the problem is carrot juice. Children are given a few drops a day.

Prevention of constipation in children

Prevention of constipation should begin from the first months of a baby’s life in order to subsequently avoid this unpleasant problem. First of all, the child must follow a diet. It is necessary that it be balanced and include fermented milk products, as well as vegetables and fruits in large quantities. To avoid constipation, there should be no fluid deficiency in the body. Physical exercise with the participation of the abdominal muscles will force the intestines to function normally.

An obvious advantage folk ways treatment is the absence of chemical components that adversely affect the child’s body. Natural resources will help you cope with many problems without causing harm.

Treatment of constipation in children with folk laxatives makes it possible to protect the growing body from the side effects of medications. For this, natural vegetable oils, cleansing enemas based on herbs, dill and raisin water are used, herbal infusions and infusions, dried fruit compotes, juices, flax seeds, etc.

But the use of even the safest folk recipe in the treatment of a child requires mandatory consultation with a doctor. The pediatrician will help you choose the most suitable remedy for your baby, taking into account his personal characteristics.

Signs, causes and consequences of constipation

Stool retention is not an independent disease, but only a symptom of an existing and developing disease in the body. Most of children experience difficulty with bowel movements at least once in their lives. But if constipation recurs systematically and with high frequency, this can lead to dangerous consequences.

Clinical picture of childhood constipation:

• There is no stool for more than 3 days.
• The child complains of pain in the lower abdomen.
• Gas formation increases.
• Appetite decreases.
• Feeling of insufficient bowel movements after going to the toilet.

Constipation can occur for various reasons:

• improper diet, poor quality food;
• insufficient water intake;
• in infants - a sharp transition from breast milk to artificial formula;
• stress, anxiety;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• helminth damage;
• side effects of drugs;
• suppression of the urge to defecate.

With prolonged constipation, there is a risk of developing the following consequences:

• weakened immunity;
• decrease in hemoglobin level in the blood;
• fecal incontinence;
• stretching of the intestinal walls, due to which the large intestine becomes inflamed;
• fissures in the anus;
• intoxication of the body.

As soon as signs of constipation appear, do not delay going to the doctor to prevent complications from developing.

Folk remedies for constipation for oral administration

Choosing folk remedies for the treatment of constipation in children should be done with extreme caution, taking into account:

• age;
• allergic reactions;
• other contraindications.

Oils against constipation

Vegetable oils are effective and safe folk remedies for constipation in children.

Vaseline oil

Vaseline oil is a product obtained during the processing of highly purified petroleum products. This oil is used to combat constipation:

• inside;
• locally - in the form of enemas.

Its components are not absorbed in the intestines and have absolutely no effect on the microflora. Once in the intestinal cavity, the oil softens the stool and makes it easier to pass.

Children's dosage:

• up to a year it is recommended to take half a small spoon per day;
• from 1 year to 7 years – 2-3 small spoons;
• from 7 years – 2 tablespoons.

Duration of use Vaseline oil for constipation in children – up to 5 days. If you use this remedy for more than 5-7 days, the risk of developing atony of the intestinal walls increases, which can cause chronic constipation in a child.

Castor oil

Among folk methods for constipation in children, castor oil is an indispensable product. It helps cure constipation:

• periodic;
• chronic.

This oil contains fatty acid, promoting the activation of intestinal function. Castor oil is used in the following ways:

• drinking in liquid form;
• enemas;
• taking castor capsules.

The dose and duration of treatment should be selected by the doctor personally for each child.

Linseed oil

Flax oil is an effective natural laxative that relieves constipation. This product can be used by children of any age. Flaxseed oil for constipation in children:

• softens fecal accumulations;
• activates intestinal peristalsis;
• reduces blood viscosity;
• improves the condition of blood vessels;
• strengthens the immune system.

To get a laxative effect in the morning, you need to drink the oil at night. After waking up, you need to drink another dose on an empty stomach. You can have breakfast in half an hour. To eliminate childhood constipation, the recommended doses are:

• from 6 months to 1 year: 0.5 teaspoon;
• from 1 to 4 years: 1-1.5 teaspoon;
• from 4 years and older: 2-3 teaspoons.

Flaxseed oil is safe and has no contraindications, except for rare cases of allergies. Its taste is pleasant, so children do not refuse this treatment.

Sunflower oil

Sunflower oil helps a child with constipation by softening stool and facilitating its passage through the intestinal walls. This laxative is safe, so it is allowed to be given to infants. Oil dosages:

• up to 1 year – a third of a teaspoon before feeding, no more than 2 times a day;
• from 1 year to 7 years – a whole teaspoon on an empty stomach in the morning and after dinner before bedtime;
• from 7 years – a tablespoon at night and after sleep on an empty stomach.

Defecation will not take long to happen.

Olive oil

Olive oil is a safe folk remedy that helps treat constipation in children. It acts quickly and gently. Several methods of application are recommended:

• Mix a small spoon of butter with orange juice, pear puree or a mixture of both, give this dish to the child on an empty stomach - the recipe is suitable for children from 6 months.
• Add raw butter to your baby's regular food, 0.5 teaspoon for every 70 grams of food.
• Massage with rubbing olive oil into the tummy - 5-7 drops. This method is also suitable for preventing constipation. There are no contraindications.

It is important not to exceed the dosage of oil added to food. Otherwise, diarrhea may begin.

Raisin and dill water

Dill and raisin water are proven folk remedies that help quickly overcome constipation in children without side effects.

To prepare dill liquid, take:

• 1 (for infants) or 2 (for older children) teaspoons of dill seeds;
• 1 cup boiling water.

Preparation:

1. Throw the dill seeds into boiling water, cover with a lid and let the broth boil for 3 minutes.
2. Then remove from heat and cool the broth.

Give strained water to your child in the following dosage:

• For infants, start with 1 teaspoon three times a day, gradually increase the dose to 4 teaspoons over the course of a week.
• Children over 1 year old – 2-3 tablespoons 3-4 times a day before meals.

Formula-fed babies will need more dill water than breast-fed babies.

Offer raisin water to a constipated child. It's easy to prepare:

• 1 large spoon of raisins;
• 200 ml boiling water.

Preparation:

1. Pour boiling water over the washed raisins.
2. Leave for 1 hour.

The dosage is as follows:

• the product is suitable for children from 6 months, 2-3 small spoons before feeding;
• Children over 2 years old can be given raisin water as a compote.

Decoctions of prunes and chamomile Recipe with prunes

Prunes are delicious and useful product, providing:

• rapid bowel movements;
• enriching the body with vitamins;
• normalization of intestinal function.

It is not recommended to introduce prunes as complementary foods before 6 months.

And from six months onwards, a decoction of prunes for constipation is suitable for children.

You will need:

• approximately 100 g prunes;
• 1 glass of water.

How to cook it correctly at home:

1. Take 10 washed prunes.
2. Prepare a glass of clean water.
3. Pour water over the berries and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Cool the broth and strain it.

Dosages:

• Breasts can be given this compote in the morning before feeding or at night, 2 teaspoons.
• For children over 1 year of age with constipation, give a decoction of 50-100 ml at a time, 2 times a day.

Do not add sugar to this decoction as prunes are sweet in themselves.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea helps cope with the lack of stool. Give your child a warm infusion to drink.

For a folk recipe based on chamomile for constipation in children you will need:

• 1 tablespoon of chamomile;
• 250 ml boiling water.

Preparation:

1. Mix the ingredients and put on fire.
2. Cook the mixture for up to 7 minutes over low heat.
3. Strain the broth before use.

IN chamomile tea It is allowed to add honey if the baby is not allergic to it.

• infants: 2-3 teaspoons of decoction;
• children from 2 years old, half a glass in the morning and evening.

Vegetable and fruit juices for constipation

Freshly prepared juices provide quick laxative effect. But they can only be given to children over 3 years of age. At first, give 2 tablespoons of one type of drink no more than 3 times a week. Then gradually increase the dose.

Apple juice

Natural apple juice contains fiber and sorbitol. These components ensure softening of feces and their passage. Contraindications:

• gastritis;
• ulcers of the stomach and intestines.

It is enough to drink 1 glass of juice a day to improve intestinal motility.

Fresh apple juice can also be given to children. But remember that the acids of this fruit irritate the esophageal mucosa and gastric walls. Therefore, infants need to dilute the juice with boiled water in equal proportions.

Infants in case of stool retention, give from half a teaspoon to 30 ml of apple juice per day.

Pumpkin juice

Pumpkin juice has laxative properties. A quick solution to the problem of constipation in a child will be provided by drinking 100 ml of juice from ripe pumpkin. If the taste of the drink is unpleasant to your child, add orange or apple juice.

After sterilization, you can give this juice to infants in a dose of up to 1 teaspoon per day.

Grape

Grape juice effectively speeds up intestinal motility. However, it should not be given to infants and older children. pure form– dilute half and half with water.

You should drink the drink between meals, but not more than 300 ml per day. If a child has increased stomach acidity, grape juice is contraindicated for him.

Beetroot

After squeezing, juice from raw beets must be left to stand and then taken. Start treatment with small doses. For children over 3 years old, give 1-2 teaspoons per day. Gradually increase the portion to 100 ml per day.

In addition to the listed juices, the following help with stool retention:

• plum;
• pear;
• cabbage;
• cucumber

Honey, flax seeds, oats

The following natural remedies are great for constipation:

• flax-seed;
• oats

A honey drink is prepared by dissolving a tablespoon of honey in a non-hot boiled water(200 ml). Give this liquid to your child before breakfast. Contraindications:

• infancy (up to 12 months);
• tendency to allergies.

The use of flax seeds during constipation in children is recommended for children from 1 year of age. Give the seeds steamed with boiling water:

• for children from one year to 3 years old, a third of a teaspoon daily;
• from 3-4 years, the dosage increases to a whole teaspoon per day.

If your child refuses to eat the seeds in their pure form, grind them and add them to regular food.

Oat decoction is also useful for constipation.

It provides:

• rapid passage of feces;
• strengthening the body;
• improved sleep.

Ingredients:

• 100 g oats;
• 2 glasses of water.

The recipe is simple:

1. Pour 100 grams of grains with 2 cups of boiling water, boil for 20 minutes.
2. After cooling, strain.

Give the liquid to the child in the following doses:

• from 0.5 to 1 year, 1 small spoon;
• from 1 year to 3 years, 1 tablespoon;
• from 3 to 7 years – a third of a glass;
• from 7 years – 0.5 cups per day.

Enemas with decoctions and oils

Enema at home - emergency help for constipation.

• For infants, it is done in a supine position, with the legs slightly elevated.
• For older children, lie down on your side with your legs bent.

For insertion into the rectum, take water with a temperature of up to 30 degrees. Dosage:

• babies under 1 year – up to 60 ml of liquid;
• children from 1 year – up to 150 ml;
• from 3 years and older – from 200 ml.

There are:

• Oil enemas: with the addition of Vaseline or vegetable oil, heated to body temperature. It is diluted half and half with water.
• Therapeutic enemas: with the addition of decoctions of medicinal herbs or pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by a doctor.

Before giving an enema, explain to the child the importance of the procedure, reassure him, create favorable conditions for this.

Alternative treatment for constipation in infants

The following natural laxatives are suitable for newborns and infants for constipation:

• Dill water;
• raisin water;
• oil and medicinal enemas;
• abdominal massage with oil rubbing;
• decoction of dried fruits (from the age of 6 months).

It is prohibited to give:

• juices from raw fruits and vegetables;
• honey water;
• flax-seed;
• oat decoction (can be used from 0.5 years).

The main focus when treating an infant infancy do abdominal massage, tummy tucks, health-improving exercises. If the baby is breastfed, then the mother can eat laxative foods. If the child is artificial, introduce fermented milk mixtures into his diet and do not forget about drinking enough.

Methods traditional medicine for older children

For children aged 3 years and older with constipation, it is recommended:

• decoctions based on dried fruits;
• vegetable and fruit juices;
• flax seeds;
• oat decoction;
• teas from chamomile, raspberry leaves;
• vegetable oils;
• enemas with medicinal herbs;
• honey water, if there is no allergy;
• oil enemas.

Actions related to the use of folk remedies must be agreed with the attending physician.

Diet tips

The diet menu for constipation is prescribed taking into account age. The list of recommended and prohibited products depends on it.

For babies

If the baby is fed breast milk, the mother must follow a diet that includes:

• plant foods;
• fermented milk products;
• whole grains;
• soups with secondary broth;
• poultry and fish;
• It is recommended to give plenty of fluids.

Children from 2 to 7 years old

Include in your diet:

• vegetable dishes;
• fruits and freshly squeezed juices;
• steamed or oven-baked fish;
• lean meat;
• fermented milk products;
• dried fruits.

School-age children with constipation should use;

• foods rich in fiber: vegetables and fruits;
• cereals;
• steamed meat and fish;
• fermented milk products;
• wholemeal bread.

Prohibited Products

Children should not be given:

• viscous porridges made from semolina or rice;
• black tea, jelly;
• fresh milk;
• radish and radish;
• baked goods;
• pasta;
• fatty meat and fish dishes;
• white flour bread;
• products from fast food outlets;
• chips, crackers, nuts;
• sweet soda.

Maintaining a proper diet and drinking water are simple steps that can help solve bowel problems.

Conclusion

Don't treat constipation where it doesn't exist. If a child has not gone to the toilet for 1-2 days and has no complaints, there is no need to give him decoctions and oils. Better adjust your diet.

For constipation, traditional medicine recipes only eliminate the symptom. They will not cure the disease that caused it. Therefore, it is important to visit a pediatrician and undergo an examination to identify the true cause.

Every second child faces difficulties with bowel movements. Many folk remedies for constipation in children over the age of one year are used by parents at home. Problems with bowel movements cannot be ignored. This can lead to various serious consequences.

How to spot constipation

Problems in the gastrointestinal tract are a common pathology in children. Constipation appears against the background of slow movement of feces through the intestines. Sometimes accompanied painful sensations, colic, loud rumbling in the stomach. The baby's appetite worsens, as does his mood.

Conditions indicating the development of constipation:

1. Bowel movements occur less than 6 times per week before age 3 years.
2. The stomach hurts, the child is restless and constantly cries.
3. The act of defecation is observed less than 3 times a week after the age of 3 years.
4. Defecation occurs with difficulty and is accompanied by pain.
5. The stool is dry in the form of small fragments or a dense cylinder.
6. The exit of feces does not occur completely.

Only a doctor can tell you what to do if a child has constipation, what folk remedies or medications to give the baby to alleviate his condition. You cannot experiment with his health on your own.

Conditions that indicate the development of constipation should alert parents. If problems with bowel movements persist for longer than 3 months, the problems have probably become chronic.

Possible reasons

There are a large number of factors that contribute to constipation in babies. Parents must know them in order to respond to violations in a timely manner and take action.

A specialized specialist will tell you about constipation in a 3-year-old child, what to do, what folk remedies you can use. If necessary, prescribe an additional thorough examination and effective treatment medical drugs.

Causes of stool retention:

• impaired drinking regime;
• poor nutrition;
• rickets disease, which contributes to decreased muscle tone;
• impaired functioning of the central nervous system;
• hypothyroidism;
• dysbacteriosis;
• allergic reaction;
• developing iron deficiency anemia;
• stress, emotional tension.

Many medications relax muscles. Laxatives cause problems in the digestive system.

Most parents prefer to treat constipation with folk remedies in children. The effectiveness of therapy is explained by the absence of adverse reactions.

Drug treatment

If difficult bowel movements are constantly present in a child, the help of a qualified doctor is necessary. The specialist prescribes tests and prescribes medications based on the results.

Medicines:

1. Laxative. The medicine may cause addiction or an allergic reaction. The drug should not be taken for longer than 2 weeks.
2. Prokinetics and antispasmodics. Remedies necessary to eliminate sluggish functioning of the digestive tract and relieve spasms. Contribute to increased peristalsis walls of the stomach and intestines. Relieves pain and reduces gas.
3. Choleretic preparations based on herbal components. Medicines help children who are prone to constipation. They restore reserves of digestive juice, increase the production of bile and pancreatic secretions. Food is better absorbed by the child’s body and unprocessed waste is eliminated faster.

Additionally, doctors prescribe bifidobacteria and lactobacilli to patients.

The drugs help not only cope with impaired intestinal function, but also cure dysbiosis, restore healthy microflora intestines.

Medicines prescribed by a doctor can be used together with folk remedies for constipation for children from 3 years of age.

Before using them, you should consult your doctor.

Folk recipes

In most cases, restore correct work intestines can be achieved with a balanced diet. If simple methods do not help, it is allowed to use folk remedies to treat constipation in a child from 2 years of age.

1. Prunes and figs. Mix the components in proportions of 100 g. Add 3 tbsp. water and put on fire. It is necessary to cook the mixture until the liquid has evaporated by a third. Cool the resulting broth and give it to the child throughout the day. Grind soft dried fruits into puree, you can give it to your baby the next day.
2. Mix in a glass of hot water juice of half a lemon and a pinch of salt. Give the baby 1 tsp of medicine during the day, no more than 6 times.
3. Senna has a mild laxative effect without causing cramps or pain in the intestines. In 1 tbsp. boiling water brew 1 tbsp. l. leaves of the plant. The medicine is prepared in the evening and left until the morning. Strain and give the decoction to the child 1 tbsp. l. 3 r. per day.
4. Such a folk remedy for constipation for children as kefir helps restore intestinal function and regulate bowel movements. It is necessary to give it to the child after lunch (0.5 tbsp.). The product must be fresh, it is recommended to add 2 tsp. vegetable oil.
5. Spinach grind it into porridge, mix it with boiled water, leave for 1 hour. Strain and give the child something to drink throughout the day.
6. Apple peel, grate, add a small amount of sunflower oil. It is important that the baby eats everything. If the product is sour, you can add a little honey. Throughout the week, the child should be fed 2-3 times a day. daily.
7. bell pepper need to be crushed and mixed with a few drops of vegetable oil. It is enough to give children 1 tsp every day. 4 rub.
8. Raisin helps improve the functioning of the digestive tract. Rinse the product (1 tbsp) and pour boiling water over it. After 3 hours, the decoction is given to the child 2-3 tbsp. l.
9. Bran has natural laxative properties. and seaweed. Can be consumed in the daily diet and washed down big amount water. Fecal masses swell and become liquid, which leads to their easier elimination.
10. Oatmeal and jelly Many parents give it to their children for poor digestion.

Quick treatment of constipation in a child with folk remedies is carried out after consultation with a doctor. The doctor takes into account the baby’s condition, individual characteristics his body, the course of the pathology. Sometimes constipation can indicate the development of a serious illness. A thorough medical examination will be required.

Treatment of constipation in children at home involves following a strict diet. Without proper nutrition, it is impossible to get rid of intestinal disorders. Doctors also recommend using folk remedies to perform special exercises, which provide positive influence on the organs of the digestive system.

Conclusion

Parents should understand that constipation is a serious pathological phenomenon. Often, against this background, intoxication of a small organism occurs. The baby becomes lethargic, weak, complains of headache. The skin becomes gray and pale.

Spreading toxins cause the development of various diseases. Render Negative influence on the state of the immune system.

Every third child systematically suffers from constipation. Every second person experiences constipation from time to time. And absolutely every baby has at least once experienced difficulties with bowel movements. This problem is quite delicate, and parents do not always go to the doctor with it. That’s when they are puzzled by simple and harmless home methods to cope with constipation in a child. In this article we will talk about folk remedies designed to help solve the most delicate problems.

Symptoms and signs

Before talking about constipation as such, parents should know about the existing medical standards for bowel movements in children of different ages. Newborn babies go to the toilet quite often, sometimes after every feeding; up to 12 bowel movements per day are considered normal. This applies to babies who are breastfed; bottle-fed babies go to the toilet less often; they may be constipated if the baby has not had a bowel movement for a day.

Children under 1 year old walk 1-3 times a day, and babies from one to 2 years old - 1-2 times every 1-2 days. After two years, children have fully formed stools, their feces are formed, and they can go to the toilet once every 1-2 days. Bowel movements that occur less frequently specified standards, may well indicate constipation.

The main symptoms of constipation are:

• Lack of stool.
• Possible pain and discomfort in a stomach.
• Decreased appetite.
• Headache, signs of general intoxication of the body.
• Bloating and increased gas formation.

There can be a great many reasons for childhood constipation, because digestive system The crumbs are still imperfect. Most often, a child cannot go to the toilet normally due to an imbalance in his own diet or the mother’s menu if he is fed breast milk. Constipation often occurs in children who drink little fluid, who are suddenly introduced to complementary foods, or New Product, as well as in children who are experiencing severe stress or are in a state of psychological discomfort.

What is the danger

When constipation occurs, the child’s immunity and the composition of his blood suffer, and this directly affects his general condition.. Suction useful substances in the intestines with constipation is disturbed, which means that the body will not receive a large amount of vitamins and microelements, and anemia may begin. Decay products enter the body through the intestinal wall, which causes lethargy, apathy, symptoms of intoxication and loss of appetite. In general, constipation is very harmful to the child’s condition.

You can learn more about all aspects of the danger of childhood constipation by watching the next episode of Dr. Komarovsky’s program.

When traditional methods not enough

Before treating constipation with folk remedies, you need to exclude more serious reasons the occurrence of difficulties with defecation than the banal eating behavior. Frequent constipation can be signs of anemia, intestinal dysbiosis, or food allergies. This is how helminthic infestations and activity disturbances can manifest themselves thyroid gland. In addition, chronic constipation can be a consequence of congenital pathologies and defects in intestinal development. Some of these conditions require surgery, and almost all are treated with traditional medications.

Folk remedies will help alleviate the child’s condition, but will not eliminate the main cause of the difficulties. This is why it is so important to report the existing sensitive issue doctor and, if necessary, undergo additional examinations.

You should not even start treatment with alternative medicine if you notice blood fragments in the stool, if the pain in the abdomen is quite intense, if there are traces of a small amount of liquid feces on the child’s underwear in a stable state of constipation. All these problems require immediate consultation with a doctor, and not home practices with grandma’s recipes.

Folk remedies Vegetable and fruit juices

Particularly effective carrot juice, cabbage and peach. They should be without preservatives; the ideal option is to squeeze them yourself. You can take juices several times a day.

Vaseline oil

This remedy can be used for chronic constipation with severe symptoms. Before going to bed, you can give your child 1-2 teaspoons; in the morning he should go to the toilet. This method is not suitable for children under one year old.

Flax seeds

From them you can prepare a not very beautiful, but very effective laxative. To do this, pour a teaspoon of seeds into half a glass of boiling water and leave for a quarter of an hour. The result is a substance that is very reminiscent of mucus, which is what you should give your child half a teaspoon before each meal.

Dill water

This remedy helps not only with infant colic, but also with constipation and increased gas formation. You can buy a ready-made mixture at the pharmacy for dilution with water, or you can prepare the product yourself. You will need dill seeds in the amount of two teaspoons and one glass of boiling water. If there are no seeds, you can use dill, but its effectiveness is somewhat lower. The herb needs to be thrown into boiling water and cooked for 5 minutes. Then strain, cool and give to the child to drink before meals.

Chamomile

From pharmaceutical chamomile you can prepare a remedy that will alleviate the child’s condition with infrequent and relatively mild constipation. You will need a tablespoon of dry collection and two glasses of hot water. The broth should be kept in a water bath for five minutes, and then cooled and strained. Take a quarter glass three times a day before meals. The given dose is optimal for a child who is already 3 years old. Those younger are given a tablespoon four times a day.

Oats

Oat grains (150 g) should be poured with boiling water (250 ml) and left in a thermos overnight. The resulting oat milk is given in the morning, after waking up on an empty stomach. Typically, the laxative effect of consumption occurs within 4-5 hours after administration. This remedy should not be given to children under 2 years of age.

Prunes

This useful product is indicated for older children. You can give prunes whole or prepare a decoction of them with figs, taking both ingredients in equal quantities. After the liquid has simmered over low heat for about half an hour, it should be cooled and given to the child half a glass three times a day.

Kefir drink

Take 200 grams of kefir of any fat content, add two tablespoons of chamomile decoction and a teaspoon of sunflower oil to it. Divide the resulting volume into two parts. Give one to drink in the morning, the second in the evening before dinner.

Apple

The pulp of this fruit is rich in pectin, which has a laxative effect. Peel one medium-sized apple and lightly sprinkle the resulting pulp with sunflower or olive oil. If the child is already 3-4 years old, you can add a little honey. Children usually eat this “medicine” with great pleasure. You should give it 2-3 times a day, and the puree should be prepared again before each use.

Raisin

If the child is small, he needs to prepare a decoction. For a tablespoon of raisins you will need a glass of boiling water. It takes at least 3 hours to infuse the product, after which give the kids 2 teaspoons 2-3 times a day. If your child is already 4 years old, invite him to just eat raisins. Give a handful three times a day and do not forget to drink plenty of water or milk.

The danger of self-medication

The medical approach to treating constipation involves determining the cause and selecting a drug to eliminate it. This is why different laxatives have different action: some increase the amount of feces, others accumulate fluid in the intestinal lumen, thereby facilitating the excretion of feces, others irritate the intestinal walls, provoking contraction and defecation.

When treating at home, it is difficult for parents to navigate the true causes of their baby’s unpleasant condition; they can only try different recipes from the arsenal traditional healers, and by trial and error select the appropriate one. Any experiments on a child are inhumane and criminal, especially considering that the reason may lie in diseases that require drug therapy and as soon as possible.

What not to do

Some folk recipes offer a rather aggressive effect on the intestinal wall. I would like to urge parents to be prudent. There is no need to insert pieces of laundry or other soap into the child’s rectum, as is recommended on the Internet, since alkaline compounds, which are in soap, can cause serious irritation of the delicate mucous membrane.

You shouldn't even try to do an enema with apple cider vinegar, this is fraught with burns of the mucous membrane and bleeding. In some situations, with such lesions, doctors are forced to remove part of the rectum, and the child becomes disabled.

And the advice of “experienced people” to dip a baby’s pacifier in honey and give it to the child is dictated by anything but common sense, since even people far from medicine understand that honey is a strong allergen, and the body of a newborn is not able to digest such a product.

Children should not be given adult laxatives, even in smaller doses.

Adviсe

• A glass of water at room temperature is what your morning should start with. If you teach your child to drink water immediately after waking up, he will not have constipation, and he will also develop the useful habit of going to the toilet at approximately the same time, preferably in the morning.
• As much movement and physical activity as possible for a child suffering from constipation, this is the most correct thing parents can do. The more intensely the baby moves, the more he runs and jumps, walks, and plays sports, the more actively his intestines work, the faster metabolic processes proceed, and therefore the risk of constipation is significantly reduced. For infants, it is recommended to massage the tummy in a clockwise circular motion.
• Enemas with folk remedies, as well as with pharmaceutical drugs, should be an emergency response measure. You cannot do enemas systematically, as this causes serious damage to the intestinal microflora and can cause quite severe dysbacteriosis.
• Provide your child with plenty of fluids and the problem of constipation will be solved due to the natural softening of stool.

When a small child appears in a family, young parents immediately have many questions: how to feed him, how to put him to bed correctly, how to swaddle him, how to make him sick less... The baby grows up, but there are no fewer questions, it’s just that some may go away for a while. second plan, but others will immediately appear in their place. And some of the most important are issues related to the health of the toddler. If a 3-year-old child has constipation, what should I do? We will try to figure this out in this article.

What it is?

A fairly common occurrence that can happen to three-year-olds is constipation. And here a lot depends on the parents. They are the ones who must notice in time how often and with what regularity their child goes to the toilet. If there are any problems with this, then we need to help the kids get rid of them. How this can be done and whether it is worth contacting a doctor in this case, we will discuss a little later. In the meantime, you need to know that constipation, as a rule, occurs due to the fact that feces pass through the intestines rather slowly. This condition arises completely various reasons. This is widespread in children, so most parents do not attach importance to constipation. But in vain. After all, it happens that constipation will be a red flag about the beginning big problems with the baby’s gastrointestinal tract and the presence of various pathologies.

Causes

So, we have already said that during constipation there is a slower transport of feces through the intestines. Every adult knows about this. There are quite a lot of reasons and prerequisites. So what are the causes of constipation in 3 year old children? To begin with, you should know that diseases of the digestive tract and poor nutrition of children may be to blame. It’s a pity that young parents don’t spend so much time on their children’s diet. After all, it was at this age - at three or four years old - the only way the formation of a healthy and strong body is an active lifestyle and balanced diet crumbs. And not all mothers and fathers monitor the regularity and frequency of bowel movements of their little ones.

The problem that parents do not have enough time and attention for their children is not at all inferior to various infections in children's body in importance for tummy diseases. In addition, children may not talk about their ailments, which will only worsen the current situation.

How to recognize?

Usually constipation and some problem with the baby’s intestines, which means that some measures should be taken, is considered to be very rare bowel movements - up to six times a week, bowel movements only three times in seven days, in addition, the bowel movements themselves are accompanied by painful sensations and uncharacteristic bowel movements for a healthy child.

Parents should be concerned if a three-year-old child asks to go potty only once a day. Even if a child has regular bowel movements, but during bowel movements he feels pain, and the stool is hard and the baby has to push hard to “get something done”, this is a signal that the baby is having problems with the toilet.

Let's talk about laxatives

Laxatives for children 3 years old are strictly not allowed to be taken without a doctor's prescription. This is especially true for those situations where constipation is acute, because in this case there may be pathologies developing in the abdominal cavity and it may be necessary to surgical intervention. This applies to cholecystitis, intestinal obstruction, acute appendicitis and other pathologies.

Treatment of constipation in children 3 years of age using medications should first of all be safe for them, which is why the prescription drug therapy should only come from a doctor. There are some drugs that are prohibited from being given to a child without a prescription, because the child’s body can have a very negative reaction.

In general, laxatives for children 3 years of age do not have unified classification. They can be divided into groups, united by similarity of composition and mechanism of action. But since the majority of parents do not understand what the difference between the drugs is, it is better not to experiment on their child.

The following can be considered as a folk remedy for constipation for a 3-year-old child: give the baby a teaspoon of flaxseed oil or a little beet juice (no harm will come from this). If your baby experiences constipation regularly, you should see a doctor and, if necessary, undergo an examination.

Children 3 years old should choose medication for constipation carefully, comparing their actions with the doctor’s recommendations.

The principle of action of the drugs

For children, two types of laxatives should be distinguished - synthetic medicines and herbal medicines, which eliminate disturbances in the intestines. Despite the fact that they can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription, they are not at all as harmless as they might seem at first glance. Any laxative medicine has its indications for use and contraindications.

According to the principle of action, laxatives are divided into several groups:

• drugs that act as fillers - when they enter the intestines, they can increase in volume, saturating digestive tract liquid; as a result, feces leave the body faster;
• drugs that act in small intestine- they usually contain oil (fennel, petroleum jelly, liquid paraffin and the like), which increases the sliding of intestinal contents to the outlet; they begin to act three to five hours after administration;

• medications that irritate the intestinal mucosa - their effect begins a maximum of two hours after taking the tablets; thanks to them, the removal of feces that have accumulated in the intestines is stimulated;
• medications that retain water in the intestines - they are able to draw water from the body and accumulate it in the intestine through the wall of the children’s intestines; the liquid will soften the stool and promote bowel movements.

The following requirements must be met for any children's laxative: it must be non-toxic, very mild and preferably of herbal origin. It should not be addictive, and when taking it, it should not develop “lazy gut” syndrome (this is when the baby stops going to the toilet on his own when no medications are taken).

The best drugs

How to cure constipation in a 3-year-old child so as not to be afraid negative consequences? The medications described below, intended specifically for children of this age, will help.

You should take into account the fact that the action of suppositories is somewhat faster than that of tablets. Therefore, if a mother needs to achieve a quick effect, it is better to prefer drugs local action. If you have to choose between syrup or tablet, then syrup will work faster.

One of these drugs is Pomogusha syrup. It is specially designed to easily solve sensitive children's problems. Consists of strawberry leaves, cherry fruits, caraway seeds, anise, fennel. In addition, it contains vitamins C, PP, and group B, which the child’s body so needs. This drug is intended for children over three years of age. Pomogusha syrup can be taken for no more than two weeks. It is delicious and mixes great with drinks - water, tea or juice. Therefore, even a capricious baby who refuses to take any medications can drink it with pleasure. But regarding contraindications, parents can be calm: there are few of them, because the syrup is natural natural remedy. “Pomogusha” (laxative syrup) is truly one of the most effective and safe means to relieve children and constipation.

Another wonderful drug is Microlax, produced in the form of small capsules with a solution for rectal use. Inside each capsule there is a liquid with sorbidol, which can well dilute stool and promote soft and quick bowel movements. This drug has practically no contraindications, so it is allowed to give such microenemas to babies from the first days of their life. Their action begins just ten to fifteen minutes after the microcapsule is inserted into the rectum and its contents are squeezed out. So that the mother does not make a mistake with the permitted dosage, a special mark is visible on the tip up to which the capsule should be inserted. For children three years of age and older, it is administered entirely, and for younger children - up to this mark.

A 3-year-old child has constipation. What to do in this case? This question often worries parents of children. And in this article we try to provide clarifications on emerging situations. This will make it easier for moms and dads to navigate.

"Prelax" is a mild laxative, produced in the form of a liquid for oral administration. Moreover, it is suitable for both children - “Prelax-baby”, and adults in the form of a powder used to prepare a solution. Children aged one to six years can be given 15 milliliters of solution. In the first days of taking the medicine, the child may experience increased gas formation, but discomfort will go away on their own and no additional treatment will be required.

Attention parents! This drug should not be given to a baby if he has constipation accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Antibiotics will reduce the effect of Prelax, so pediatricians do not recommend taking them at the same time as a laxative.

The same enema...

What is the right thing to do if children are constipated, and parents are afraid to give them medications? An enema for children will help. You can do it with ease saline solution, or you can put glycerin suppositories. Both will help in a short period of time.

An enema for children will “wash” the intestines and allow the children to have a bowel movement, and suppositories will provoke stool due to irritation of the intestinal walls.

Or you can turn your attention to alternative medicine and cure your baby’s constipation by using folk remedies.

Treating constipation with folk remedies

A 3 year old child has constipation! What to do? Yes, any mother worries about this. But not everyone decides to take advantage medicines. Then you can turn to traditional medicine.

An excellent natural laxative would be a mixture of kefir and butter. Half a glass of kefir should be mixed well with regular vegetable oil (one or two tablespoons). After eating, give your baby a drink.

Dry figs and prunes (100 g each) pour three glasses of water. Cook until a third of the water has evaporated. Give the baby this decoction to drink throughout the day, and the next day feed the child with the remaining gruel.

If a 3-year-old child has constipation, what should I do? Dill water will help. Take two or three teaspoons of dill per glass of water. Throw the dill into boiling water and cook under the lid for a couple of minutes. Leave until the broth reaches room temperature. Then strain everything. You can give your baby a few tablespoons.

And one more good thing effective remedy. It won't be very tasty, though. Squeeze half a lemon into a glass of boiling water and add a pinch of salt. Stir well. Give your child a teaspoon throughout the day.

Tea made from dried cherries and apples helps a lot. You can also use sauerkraut brine. Another option is powdered peas, which should be given to the baby a teaspoon every day.

Let's talk about diet and daily routine

It has already been mentioned that treatment of constipation in a three-year-old child may also include enemas. But you should know that you shouldn’t use them often, because it can be addictive. Therefore, if mothers and fathers do not know what can be given to children at this age and what to do, it is better not to experiment.

The diet for constipation in children 3 years old should be as follows. As a rule, if there is a problem, the doctor should first prescribe a change in diet. The baby is allowed to eat coarse-fiber porridge - buckwheat or barley, fermented milk products (yogurt, kefirs), bran bread, chicken eggs, butter, drink plenty of fluids, including fruit juices.

You will need to exclude the following products from the menu: baked goods, cabbage, tomatoes, bananas, pasta, chocolate, broth-based soups. After all, they are the ones who provoke problems with peristalsis.

In the most extreme case, when the cause of constipation is not functional, the doctor prescribes medications.

If at the age of three a child begins to have problems with digestion and bowel movements (and they happen all the time), it is necessary to understand not only the foods he eats, but also the child’s daily routine. We need to teach him to go to the toilet at the same time. It's best in the morning. Before doing this, offer the child to drink a glass of water. This way he will develop a habit, and every time after he drinks water, he will have the urge to go to the toilet. By the age of seven or eight, children should already have a normal readiness to defecate.

Consequences of constipation

If your baby suddenly develops constipation, you should immediately begin to treat them. Otherwise, the disease will become chronic. The consequences include the following:

• deterioration of the child’s well-being;
• decrease in its performance;
• absent-mindedness;
• constant intoxication of the child's body.

The baby becomes lethargic, gets tired much faster, and signs of hypovitaminosis can be detected (seizures occur, the skin is pale and flaky, hair and nails are affected).

Parents are obliged to take immediate measures to solve this problem so that their beloved children do not get worse.