Constipation in children is a fairly common problem, occurring when there is a change in a child’s diet. However, this condition is only temporary and if you know how to prevent children constipation, everything will be solved.
There are many ways to cure constipation in children and which ones really work? The following article will reveal tips to treat constipation in children and accompanying signs to help parents easily recognize.
Contents
- 1 SIGNS OF CONSTIPATION IN CHILDREN
- 2 HOW TO CURE CONSTIPATION IN CHILDREN?
- 3 1. GIVE PLENTY OF WATER TO PREVENT CHILDREN CONSTIPATION
- 4 2. ADD FIBER, ESPECIALLY SOLUBLE, NON FERMENTABLE FIBER
- 5 3. ADD BENEFICIAL BACTERIA
- 6 4. PRUNES ARE NECESSARY FOR CHILDREN
- 7 5. TRY TO AVOID DIARY PRODUCTS
- 8 6. LETTING YOUR KIDS MORE ACTIVE
- 9 7. TREAT YOUR CHILD’S CONSTIPATION BY SETTING A REGULAR TOILETING TIME
- 10 8. USE STOOL SOFTENERS
- 11 9. BABY BELLY MASSAGE
SIGNS OF CONSTIPATION IN CHILDREN
How can you tell if your baby is constipated? In addition to your baby showing discomfort every time he goes to the bathroom, you can observe the following typical signs:
- Flatulence
- Stomach pain
- Bloody stools
- Tight abdomen.
Sometimes a constipated baby can be accompanied by diarrhea and confuse many parents. This happens because hard stools get stuck in the rectum and loose stools easily slip through, passing them out first.
HOW TO CURE CONSTIPATION IN CHILDREN?
What should we do with diarrhea children? Here are some tips to help improve your child’s constipation:
1. GIVE PLENTY OF WATER TO PREVENT CHILDREN CONSTIPATION
Frequent dehydration can cause constipation in children. When your child can’t have a bowel movement, you have to give him plenty of water to drink as well as keep the body hydrated. When your child is constipated, you can try to improve the situation by giving him some carbonated mineral water.
Some studies suggest that this type of water is more effective than plain water in relieving constipation, including chronic idiopathic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, do not use carbonated soft drinks as these are unhealthy choices and can make constipation in children worse.

2. ADD FIBER, ESPECIALLY SOLUBLE, NON FERMENTABLE FIBER
Children with constipation are often advised to eat more fiber. This is because adding fiber to the body will support bowel movement, making stool easier to pass. In fact, a recent review found that 77% of cases of chronic constipation could improve quite a bit just by getting more fiber.
However, there is some opinion that too much fiber can make constipation in children worse. While fiber can increase the frequency of bowel movements, it does not help with other symptoms of constipation, such as hard stools, abdominal pain, bloating, etc.
This is due to the fiber that you add to your diet. There are many different types of fiber, but in general, there are 2 common types of fiber:
- Insoluble fiber: Found in wheat bran, vegetables, and grains. This fiber helps soften stools for easier passage through the digestive tract.
- Soluble fiber: Found in oat bran, barley, nuts, lentils and peas, fruits and vegetables. This fiber absorbs water and forms a gel-like paste that helps soften your baby’s stools.
Studies have not found insoluble fiber to help with constipation in children, but it can cause bowel problems in children, making it more difficult to go to the bathroom.
Some fermentable soluble fiber also may not be effective in treating constipation, as sometimes this fiber is also fermented by bacteria in the gut and loses its ability to hold water.
To treat constipation in children, choose to add non-fermentkhbmable fiber to your baby’s daily diet, such as giving him psyllium.

3. ADD BENEFICIAL BACTERIA
Probiotics can help effectively treat constipation in children. If your baby has problems with bowel movements, sometimes it’s due to an imbalance of gut bacteria. Therefore, you can give your baby a probiotic supplement from foods or medicines, such as yogurt, probiotics, probiotic gummies, Enterogermina…
4. PRUNES ARE NECESSARY FOR CHILDREN
Plums and prune juice are commonly known as natural remedies for constipation. In addition to fiber, plums also contain sorbitol, a natural laxative. In addition, scientists have found that prunes are more effective than fiber.
If your baby is constipated, prunes may be the easiest natural solution, you only need to give him about 50g (equivalent to almost 7 plums) twice a day.

5. TRY TO AVOID DIARY PRODUCTS
In some cases, lactose intolerance can cause constipation because it affects bowel movements. If you think your baby has the condition, temporarily eliminate milk or dairy products from your child’s diet to see if constipation improves. However, you still have to make sure your baby gets enough calcium from other foods.
6. LETTING YOUR KIDS MORE ACTIVE
Although it may sound unbelievable, regular exercise can help with constipation in children as well as reduce symptoms because during this time, the baby’s intestines have a chance to move. Therefore, encourage your child to play for 30-60 minutes a day.
There are several recommendations to attract your babies to participate more in activities. You can read other articles here for your reference.

7. TREAT YOUR CHILD’S CONSTIPATION BY SETTING A REGULAR TOILETING TIME
Encourage your child to use the restroom at regular times of the day, especially after meals and whenever he feels like going. Let your baby practice sitting for at least 10 minutes at a time. Place a small stool under your baby’s feet as this will help stools pass more easily.
Particularly for young children, you can create a habit of going to the bathroom by saying, “It’s time to go to the bathroom” instead of asking if he wants to go to the bathroom or not.
8. USE STOOL SOFTENERS
Stool softeners are considered safe for children (such as Duphalac), but should be used under the direction of your doctor. Two common mistakes parents make when giving their children a stool softener to treat constipation in children is taking the wrong dose or stopping the medication too soon.
9. BABY BELLY MASSAGE
You can massage your baby’s belly to treat constipation in children by following these steps:
Step 1: Warm your hands by rubbing them together, then use a child-safe massage oil and drop a few drops into the palm of your hand.
Step 2: Lay the baby on his back, using your fingertips, slowly press on the baby’s belly to form an inverted U shape, starting from the bottom left and moving up, pulling across the navel, then move away. Treat constipation for children moving downwards.
Step 3: Repeat this operation 10-15 times, 2-3 times a day. In addition to this constipated baby massage, you can put your baby on his back, hold his legs and make a bicycle movement. This also helps the baby to have a good bowel movement.
Some suggestions in the article will be suitable to support the treatment of children with mild constipation. In more serious cases and the mother is worried that the child is severely constipated, the best way is to take your child to the doctor. At the same time, follow the doctor’s instructions to help your child recover faster!
[…] their daily diets. Fiber helps the digestive system of children to function normally, reducing the risk of constipation, ensuring smoother bowel movements. When your children eat more foods with fiber, they also reduce […]