How to help baby poop easier

Baby constipation: Top 7 home remedies

If a baby is constipated, a pediatrician may recommend using home remedies as a first-line treatment for baby constipation. These can include diet changes, exercise movements, and massages.

Babies often go a long time between bowel movements. Most of the time, it is normal for a baby to go days or even more than a week without a bowel movement. However, a baby may sometimes be constipated and need a little help.

Home remedies for constipation in a baby include:

1. Exercise

Moving a baby’s legs can help relieve constipation.

As with adults, exercise and movement tend to stimulate a baby’s bowels.

However, as babies may not be walking or even crawling yet, a parent or caregiver may want to help them exercise to relieve constipation.

The parent or caregiver can gently move the baby’s legs while they are lying on their back to mimic the motion of riding a bicycle. Doing this may help the bowels function and relieve constipation.

2. A warm bath

Giving a baby a warm bath can relax their abdominal muscles and help them stop straining. It can also relieve some of the discomfort relating to constipation.

3. Dietary changes

Certain dietary changes may help constipation, but these will vary depending on the baby’s age and diet.

While breastfeeding a baby, a woman could eliminate certain foods, such as dairy, from her diet. It may take some trial and error to identify the dietary changes that help, and it is quite possible that changes in the diet will have no effect on the baby’s constipation.

For formula-fed babies, a parent or caregiver may want to try a different kind of formula. It is best not to switch to a gentle or dairy-free formula without consulting a pediatrician first. If one change does not make a difference, continuing to try different formulas is unlikely to help.

If an infant is eating solid foods, parents or caregivers should look to introduce foods that are good sources of fiber.

Many fruits and vegetables can help stimulate the bowels because of their higher fiber content. Good food choices for babies with constipation include:

skinless apples
broccoli
whole grains, such as oatmeal or whole-grain bread or pasta
peaches
pears
plums

4. Hydration

Young infants do not typically need supplemental liquids as they get their hydration from breast milk or formula.

However, babies that are constipated may benefit from a small amount of extra liquid.

Pediatricians sometimes recommend adding a small amount of water or, occasionally, fruit juice, to the baby’s diet when they are over 2–4 months old and are constipated.

5. Massage

There are several ways to massage a baby’s stomach to relieve constipation. These include:

Using the fingertip to make circular motions on the stomach in a clockwise pattern.
Walking the fingers around the naval in a clockwise pattern.
Holding the baby’s knees and feet together and gently pushing the feet toward the belly.
Stroking from the rib cage down past the belly button with the edge of a finger.

6. Fruit juice

A small amount of pure apple juice can help soften stool.

After a baby reaches 2–4 months of age, they can have a small amount of fruit juice, such as 100-percent prune or apple juice. This juice may help treat constipation.

Experts may recommend starting with about 2–4 ounces of fruit juice. The sugar in the juice is hard to digest. As a result, more liquid enters the intestines, which helps soften and break up the stool.

However, a parent or caregiver should not give fruit juice to a baby for the first time without consulting their pediatrician.

7. Taking a rectal temperature

When a baby is constipated, taking the baby’s rectal temperature with a clean, lubricated thermometer may help them pass stool.

It is important not to use this method very often, as it can make constipation worse. The baby may start not wanting to pass a bowel movement without help, or they may begin to associate having a bowel movement with discomfort, leading them to fuss or cry more during the process.

Anyone who feels as though they often need to use this method to help the baby have a bowel movement should talk to the baby’s doctor.

As infants may go for extended periods without a bowel movement, it can be hard to tell if they are constipated. Signs that indicate constipation in a baby include:

infrequent stools that are not soft in consistency
clay-like stool consistency
hard pellets of stool
long periods of straining or crying while trying to have a bowel movement
streaks of red blood in the stool
lack of appetite
a hard belly

Signs of constipation in babies vary depending on their age and diet. A normal bowel movement before a baby begins eating solid food should be very soft, almost like the consistency of peanut butter or even looser.

Hard baby stool prior to solid food is the most obvious indication of constipation in babies.

At first, breastfed babies may pass stool often since breast milk is easy to digest. However, once a baby is between 3 and 6 weeks old, they may only pass a large, soft stool once a week and sometimes even less.

Formula-fed babies tend to pass stool more frequently than breastfed babies. Most formula-fed babies will have a bowel movement at least once a day or every other day. However, some formula-fed babies may go longer between bowel movements without being constipated.

Once a parent introduces solid food to a baby’s diet, a baby may be more likely to experience constipation. A baby may also be more likely to become constipated if a parent or caregiver introduces cow’s milk (other than formula) to their diet.

Share on PinterestA doctor should assess a baby with ongoing constipation.

It is advisable to call a pediatrician if a baby has not passed a stool after a day or two and there are other signs present, such as:

blood in the stool
the baby seems to be irritable
the baby appears to have abdominal pain
there is no improvement in the baby’s constipation after taking steps to treat it

Treatment typically starts with home remedies. If home remedies do not work, a doctor may examine the baby and, in rare cases, prescribe medications, such as:

laxatives
enemas
suppositories

People should never give these medications to a baby unless a doctor prescribes them.

Constipation can lead to discomfort and irritability in a baby. People can try several at-home methods to help alleviate constipation.

If symptoms do not improve, it is best to speak to the infant’s pediatrician for additional strategies.

Read the article in Spanish.

Constipation in Babies & Newborns

It’s easy for parents to misunderstand constipation and how it affects a baby. They can’t tell you if they’re having problems pooping. A few basic facts about your baby’s digestion can help you keep things in perspective.

Can Few Poops Still Be Normal?

Because breast milk is so nutritious, sometimes a baby’s body absorbs almost all of it, leaving little to move through the digestive tract. Your baby may poop only once in a while -- it’s perfectly normal for breastfed infants to have a bowel movement once a week.

Some infants just have a slower (but completely normal) gut, so they don't go very often. Hard stools are common from time to time. But if your baby seems to be in pain or you have any concerns, call your doctor.

In rare cases, a medical problem causes lasting, serious constipation. For example, the muscles in the intestine aren’t working the way they should or there’s a blockage in the digestive tract.

Symptoms of Constipation in Babies

Constipation isn’t just about how often your baby poops. It’s also about how tough it is for them to do it. If they have soft, easy-to-pass stools every 4-5 days, they’re probably OK. On the other hand, you should talk to your doctor if they:

Have a hard time going or seem uncomfortable
Have hard stools
Have stool that is bloody or black
Don't poop at least once every 5 to 10 days
Won’t eat normally
Have a swollen belly

Home Care for Constipation in Babies

If you're bottle feeding, try a different brand of formula -- after you check with your doctor. Constipation should never be a reason to stopbreastfeeding.
Add a little dark fruit juice, like prune or pear, to your baby's bottle.
Give them some extra water if they’re older than 4 months -- no more than 1-2 ounces per day. But check with the doctor first.
If your baby is eating solid foods, try some that are higher in fiber, like pureed prunes or peas, or cereal with barley or whole wheat.
Try bending your baby’s knees toward their chest. It’s easier to get poop out in a squat posture than lying flat. It may also help to exercise their legs gently in a bicycle motion.
A warm bath can help your baby’s muscles relax and release poop.
Gently massage their belly.
Taking your baby’s temperature with a rectal thermometer may stimulate their bowels.
Remember that most babies who don’t poop a lot are not truly "constipated" and don’t need anything different from normal.

OTC medications for constipation in babies

If home remedies don’t work, there are some over-the-counter medications you can try. Ask your doctor first.

Glycerin suppository. This is placed directly in your baby’s anus to stimulate a bowel movement.
Laxatives. Only use a laxative if your doctor tells you to.

symptoms, causes, diagnosis, how to help a child with constipation

How to solve the problem and help the baby?

Constipation is one of the most common problems in children. According to statistics, in Russia constipation occurs in every fourth child ¹ . And this problem significantly complicates the calm and cheerful life of both the child and and parents, because constipation often causes pain, the child the mood deteriorates, the parents are on their nerves - in general, there is little good.

In order not to miss the problem of constipation in the baby, we armed ourselves
scientific knowledge and talk about how to identify constipation,
why does it occur and what to give a child with constipation?

Causes of constipation in children

There are quite a few of them and almost all of them depend on age child. That is, constipation in infants and schoolchildren cause different reasons. Let's consider them in more detail.

Stress and change routine

These reasons are typical, as a rule, for babies. under the age of one year. In this tender age, coordination muscle contractions of the intestinal wall can be violated ⁵ , which leads to difficulties with defecation. In addition, constipation in infants may occur after switching to artificial mixtures ¹ . In breast milk contains many beneficial intestinal flora substances - dietary fiber, a large amount of fat, proteins in the optimal ratio. All of them contribute normal bowel movements ⁶ .

Stress and change routine

Common causes of constipation are new conditions that break the child's usual daily routine and environment. So, for example, a violation of defecation often appears during potty training, with the start of attending kindergarten or schooling ¹ .

Irritable syndrome intestines

This disorder is noted in an older age group - in children from 4 to 18 years old. In this disease, the child periodically abdominal pain occurs, which may be accompanied by symptoms indigestion and constipation ^1.7 .

How to understand that a child has constipation?

It seems that the answer to this question very simple - child rarely walks "big". However, this is not quite correct figure. Case that the frequency of stool in healthy children can be very different ¹ .

However, if a child's routine of going to the toilet has changed, you should be alert and analyze what is happening. Yes, yes, literally turn into a patient detective and examine the contents of a pot or toilet. This may not be the most pleasant occupation, but the result of research can greatly facilitate both your life and the child's.

So, first of all, you need to evaluate the shape of the stool. This will help to determine with some accuracy whether there is constipation or not ¹ . We will not determine the shape “by eye”, but with the help of the Bristol scale of fecal shapes, developed by doctors. According to this scale, there are seven types of stool. We are only interested in two of them.

Constipation criteria according to the Bristol Stool Scale

³ :

Hard and dry, nut-like lumps (called "sheep" stool)

Sausage-shaped stool with a lumpy texture.

In addition to determining the shape of the stool, you should pay attention to other signs of constipation. For example, a child may begin to push too hard, take uncharacteristic positions, try to poop, and in general, spend much more time on the potty or toilet than usual. ¹

If there is no stool for several days, constipation is considered acute. If the constipation problem persists for 3 months or more, this is regarded by specialists as a “chronic condition” ^2.4 .

Treatment of constipation in a child

So what should you do if your child is constipated?
First of all, you need to make certain changes in the daily routine. All of them are quite simple and effective. Remember.

Maintain regular toileting

Natural urge to defecate usually appears after eating. Therefore, a small child stands in the morning some time after taking put food on a pot or invite him to go to the toilet. You can develop a kind of reflex in a child - for example, "had breakfast - pooped" ¹ .

Comfort

To form a positive perception of going to the toilet in a child, it is also important to provide comfortable conditions for him: for example, to choose a suitable potty so that the child can take a comfortable position ¹⁰ . In addition, it is necessary that during defecation, the baby has some kind of support where you can rest your feet, for example, a low bench that can be placed in the toilet, since an increase in intra-abdominal pressure when straining is important to resolve constipation ¹ .

Correct nutrition

This is a very important step in the treatment of constipation. From the menu you need to remove fats, sweets (yes, we understand how difficult it is with this item) and marinades.
And replace all this splendor with cereals, vegetables and fruits. Plum, peach and apple purees and juices are especially good for constipation ¹ .

Important to understand

Lifestyle changes may not help immediately. Therefore, there are modern remedies for constipation in children, which can contribute to a faster resolution of this problem. One of these is Guttalax®, a local laxative that can stimulate colonic activity, which can lead to soft stools and normal defecation ⁸ . However, it is important to remember that prescription drugs in children drugs should only take place after consultation with a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the cause of constipation and help deal with them.

Unlike other laxatives, which can sometimes focus the child's attention on a problem, for example, they do not taste acceptable to everyone ¹¹ , or are administered rectally, which can increase the child's fear and discomfort regarding defecation ¹² , Guttalax® you can let your baby quietly and naturally normalize the bowel rhythm ^8.9 .

Guttalax® - tasteless and odorless drops,

Guttalax® can be added to any food, such as baby food, juice or cottage cheese ⁹ .
To have a laxative effect could show up in the morning can you give him some in the evening, before bed. This helps normalize mode and rhythm of defecation in the morning.

Another important issue that worries mothers is drug tolerance. Guttalax® has a favorable safety profile. It is allowed for nursing mothers, and you can also give Guttalax® to babies ^*.

Drops do not contain glucose, so they can be used in diabetes mellitus ⁸ . In addition, Guttalax® is an original preparation produced in Italy.

How to deal with constipation in a child?

08/15/17

Manual for parents on a problem that is very common in children with autism

Source: Autism Speaks

To symptoms of chronic constipation includes:

- Very very hard and dense stool.

- Pain and difficulty in emptying the bowels.

- The child has a bowel movement three times a week or less.

Talk to your child's doctor to find out if your child is constipated.

What causes constipation in children with autism?

1. Holding a stool

Some children try to hold a stool and ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. This can happen for various reasons, for example:

- Fear of the toilet.

- Reluctance to use the toilet outside the home.

- Unwillingness to interrupt the game.

- Fear of pain during bowel movements.

2. Toilet training

Children may resist and hold stool when toilet training is attempted. This can become a habit that is difficult to break later on.

3. Nutrition problems

- Lack of fiber found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

- Dairy products, if the child is allergic to cow's milk or consumes too much dairy products.

- Insufficient intake of water and other beverages, especially when ill.

- Changes in appetite or diet due to illness of the child.

4. Stress and changes in daily routine.

Travel, weather changes, and stress can all affect bowel function.

5. Medications

Some drugs, such as antacids, antidepressants, and some ADHD drugs, can cause stools that are too hard.

6. Associated medical problems.

Constipation is common in children who have movement problems, including decreased muscle tone and cerebral palsy. Also, constipation is possible in case of hypersensitivity to gluten or casein.

Acute constipation and encopresis

Acute constipation

Some (but not all) children with chronic constipation may have this problem. Acute constipation can be caused by too much hard stool in the colon. As a result, the child cannot have a bowel movement for several days. Acute constipation is diagnosed by a doctor by palpation of the abdomen or by X-ray. Acute constipation is often accompanied by loss of appetite and lethargy. After a bowel movement, the child feels better and the symptoms decrease.

Encoprese

This problem occurs in some (but not all) constipated children. Encopresis means that during constipation, the child has loose stools. This is a common problem.
Encopresis can develop if a child holds a stool for so long that it becomes difficult for him to have a bowel movement. The stool becomes larger and drier. Due to the retention of large stools, the intestinal muscles get tired and relax. After the muscles relax, loose stools can seep into the underwear.

The child does not feel that this is happening and cannot control loose stools. This usually happens several times a day, causing the underwear to become dirty. Sometimes encopresis is confused with diarrhea, but the child does not actually have diarrhea because most of the stool in the intestines remains solid.

Many children with encopresis experience loss of appetite and decreased interest in daily activities. After a bowel movement, the child feels better and these symptoms decrease.

Treatment of constipation

There are three main approaches to the treatment of constipation.

Talk to your child's doctor about which type of treatment is best for you:

1. Dietary changes

- Increasing fiber in the diet will make bowel movements easier.

- Increasing fluid intake , especially water and juice, helps soften stools and reduces constipation.

2. Behavioral changes

- Regular exercise . Physical activity improves the functioning of the abdominal muscles, which facilitates bowel movements. Regular exercise, including walking, jumping rope, ball games, cycling and swimming, can help with constipation.

- Bowel training in the toilet . It is important that the child knows how to use the toilet at the first urge. The best way to teach this is through planned and extended "sit-downs" where the child is rewarded for simply sitting on the toilet for extended periods of time.

3. Medications

Children often need medication to have regular bowel movements. These can be:

- Preparations for daily use.

- Single-dose preparations that "cleanse" the intestines in case of severe difficulty with emptying.

Increasing fiber in the child's diet

A diet high in fiber promotes regular bowel movements and prevents constipation. Fiber is a substance that the body cannot digest. There are two types of fiber - soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber promotes the entry of water into the intestines. Insoluble fiber facilitates the passage of stool through the intestines. Both types of fiber are needed to prevent constipation.

Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. A lot of fiber is found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. They also contain a lot of protein, vitamins and minerals. A diet high in these foods is the best way to get enough fiber.

Where to find fiber

When shopping for food, you can check the nutritional information of the product, including the fiber level. Good choices are foods that contain at least 2 grams of fiber per serving.

When shopping, look for products that contain whole grains, whole grain flour, and oatmeal. Perhaps there are options for your child's favorite foods with whole grains, that is, higher fiber content. For example, whole-grain cheese crackers, whole-grain wheat flour bread, and high-fiber cereals may be suitable for you.

Recommended Fiber Intakes

— Ages 1 to 3: 19 grams per day (for boys and girls).

- Ages 4 to 8: 25 grams per day (for boys and girls).

- Ages 9 to 13: 31 grams per day for boys and 26 grams per day for girls.

Examples of high fiber foods

- White beans: 9.5 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Oatmeal: 8.8 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Red beans: 8.2 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Beans: 7.5 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Pear (with skin): 4.3 grams per small pear.

- Raspberries: 4.0 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Baked potatoes (with skin): 3.8 grams per piece.

- Almonds: 3.3 grams per 30 grams.

- Apple (with skin): 3.3 grams per piece.

- Banana: 3.1 grams for one medium-sized piece.

- Orange: 3.1 grams per medium sized piece.

- Peanut butter: 3. 0 grams per 2 tablespoons.

- Broccoli: 2.8 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Green peas: 2.5 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Avocado: 2.3 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Corn: 1.6 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Strawberries: 1.5 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Wild rice: 1.5 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Raisins: 1.4 grams per 1/2 cup.

- Popcorn: 1.2 grams per 1 cup.

Increasing fiber and fluids in the child's diet

It is advisable to offer children foods rich in fiber from an early age so that their use becomes a lifelong habit.

If your child is currently constipated, it is important to increase fiber levels very gradually over 2-3 weeks. Increasing too much fiber in the diet may worsen constipation or cause gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Increasing fiber will only be effective if the child also starts drinking more fluids. Make sure your child doesn't just start eating more fiber, but also starts drinking more water and juice.

How to Increase Fiber Without Child Resistance

Children with autism often resist change, especially dietary changes. Parents need to be patient and try different approaches, for example:

- Switch to crackers and whole grain pasta.

- Try whole grain bread and pizza. Many types of whole-grain bread do not differ in appearance from ordinary white bread.

- Offer your child whole grain muesli or popcorn as a snack.

— Offer the child dried fruit as a sweet treat (prunes, dried apricots, raisins).

- Try to make cocktails from frozen fruits or berries based on juice or milk.

- Offer your child carrot, bell pepper, or celery sticks that can be dipped in peanut butter, hummus, or salad dressing.

— Add shredded vegetables or mashed vegetables to your child's favorite foods, such as pasta or pizza.

- Make funny faces or figures out of slices of fruits and vegetables.

- Invite the child to dip fruit slices in nut butter or his favorite kind of yogurt.

- Bake cookies, muffins or pies with whole wheat flour.

Increasing fluid intake

Sufficient water is essential to maintain a healthy body. It is found in both foods and drinks. As you increase the amount of fiber in your diet, you also need to increase your fluid intake.

How much fluid do you need?

- Follow your thirst. The amount of water a child needs varies depending on physical activity and what the child eats. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the signs of thirst in a child.

- When a child drinks enough water, his urine becomes clear, light yellow in color. Dark, tea-colored urine usually means your child needs to drink more.

Fluid types

1. Water: the best source of fluid.

2. 100% juice: good for health, but should be limited.

- 120-180 ml per day for children under 6 years old

- 240-360 ml per day for children over 6 years old

- Some juices (pear, apple, plum) contain sugars that act as a natural laxative and may help with constipation.

3. Milk:

- An important part of a child's nutrition.

— Excessive consumption of milk can lead to constipation.

- Desirable rate for milk: 480-720 ml per day (2-3 cups).

4. Sports drinks and drinks with electrolytes:

- They often have added sugar.

- Not the best choice for children.

- Check with your doctor before giving these drinks to your child.

5. Fruit drinks, soft drinks:

- They usually have added sugar.

- Not the best choice for children.

- It is better to save them for special occasions, such as holidays, you should not give them to the child regularly.

Fluids and constipation

It is very important to increase fluid intake at the same time as increasing fiber. Fluid helps soften stools and make bowel movements easier.

- Some juices (pear, apple, plum) are natural laxatives.

— It is advisable to give the child a lot to drink between meals, this contributes to regular bowel movements.

- Drinks with a lot of sugar, caffeine or "fortified with vitamins" can increase constipation.

Tips for increasing fluid intake

— Encourage your child to drink water between meals, on a full stomach the child may drink too little.

- Offer your child fruits with a high water content, such as grapes, oranges, or watermelon, as snacks and treats.

— Keep a bottle or cup of water handy so your child can always have a drink. Add some citrus juice to your water to make it taste better. Or try adding some other drink to the water.

- Lead by example. Children are more likely to drink water when they see their parents or siblings drinking water.

Toilet training

In case of constipation, it is very important to teach the child to use the toilet as soon as he feels the first urge. The easiest way to teach this is with a daily period of time when the child sits on the toilet for a long time. When a child gets used to sitting on the toilet for a long time, it will be easier for him to relax the muscles that hold the stool. With daily toilet seating time, your child will become less likely to hold a stool. When the child stops holding the stool, the intestines return to normal size and become more sensitive.

How to teach your child to sit on the toilet for a long time every day

1. Be patient with yourself and with your child. Learning a new skill, especially this skill, is never easy.

2. Start by teaching your child to sit on the toilet, even if he does not defecate:

- Start with 1-2 minutes. Very slowly increase the time to 10-12 minutes.

- Use a visual timer to let your child know how long to sit.

- Offer the child some quiet activity while he sits on the toilet. For example, reading a book, drawing, playing a handheld computer game, listening to music or audio books.

- Try to save the child's favorite pastime for sitting on the toilet and do not offer it at other times.

- Praise your child even for small progress.

- Never force a child to sit on the toilet and never force him to sit on it unless you are working with a behavior specialist to help you do it safely.

3. Choose a time for your child to use the toilet.

- Making toilet use a regular part of a child's daily routine will help develop a normal bowel habit.

— Children with autism often like routine. Making toilet seating a part of the daily routine will reduce the risk of child resistance.

- Try using a visual timetable with pictures, one of the items being toilet time.

— If your child is most likely to have a bowel movement at some time of the day, try to schedule toilet seating for that time.

— Morning is the best time for most people, but it may not be suitable for a child who will be rushed to kindergarten or school in the morning.

- For some children, the best time is after coming home from school or kindergarten.

4. Make sure your child is comfortable.

- Choose the toilet seat or potty that is most comfortable for your child.

— Use a child seat for the toilet if the normal seat is too big for the child.

- Use the footrest if the child's feet do not touch the floor.

How to teach a bowel movement in the toilet

1. Make sure your child sits on the toilet for long periods 1-2 times each day.

2. Teach your child that "poop goes down the toilet" by emptying dirty diapers or underwear.

3. Try to time your child to sit on the toilet when you think your child is most likely to have a stool.

4. Try to stimulate the gastrocolic reflex before sitting on the toilet. This reflex occurs after eating or drinking and allows the bowel muscles to expel stool after eating. To stimulate this reflex, try to get your child to eat or snack, and drink a warm drink before sitting on the toilet.

5. Watch for possible signs in the child's behavior. If you notice that he wants to use the toilet, then take him there. Signs may include:

- Changes in facial expressions.

- Attempts to go to a quiet part of the house.

- Muscular tension.

Positive reinforcement

- Start with rewards for your child just sitting on the toilet.

- When the child begins to empty his bowels on the toilet, start rewarding him for it.

- Small rewards that the child receives immediately after the desired behavior work best.

- Give rewards less frequently over time.

Try not to use food as a reward. Instead, you can reward your child with:

- Sing your favorite song with your child.

- Hugs, tickling, verbal praise.

- Favorite game with a child.

- Stickers that will allow the child to track their progress.

- Time for your favorite pastime.

- Tokens (in the form of stickers, stars or other items) that can then be exchanged for very large rewards, such as a trip to the cinema or to the park.

Many children with autism have special interests. They can be used when planning rewards. For example, if a child is interested in cars, then as a reward, he can look at car magazines. If a child loves trains, then he can receive stickers with trains as a reward.

Positive rewards lead to the desired changes in behavior much faster than any punishment or criticism.

If the child is dirty

- Say something like "I noticed that you are dirty" or "Please change."

- Help the child to do this as needed.

— Do not scold the child or draw attention to what has happened.

If the child does not want to sit on the toilet

- Try to get the child as close to the toilet as possible when he begins to have a bowel movement. If the child does it in diapers while standing, then try to have him do it while standing in the toilet.

- When the child has defecated in the diaper, throw the contents of the diaper down the toilet in front of the child.

- Teach your child to sit on the toilet with their clothes down. Give your child a toy that can keep him busy for a while.

- Over time, move on to having the child sit on the toilet with the lid up but wearing a diaper.

- When the baby is comfortable sitting on the toilet with the lid up, cut a hole in the diaper and enlarge it over time. Try to have the child sit on the toilet in a diaper while having a bowel movement.

Specialist help

Very often it is difficult for a family to change what happens at home. Toilet training can be a very complex behavioral problem. Some families need additional specialist support. Signs that the family needs more help include:

- The child becomes very upset when taken to the toilet.

- Child holds stool longer and longer.

— Constipation progresses in the child.

— Everything connected with the toilet causes tantrums or aggression in the child.

Specialists may include child psychologist, behavioral analyst, pediatrician. Sometimes staff at the child care facility that the child attends can help find the right specialist.

Daily preparations

— May be started immediately if the child does not have acute constipation.

- Taken orally.

- Most effective when taken daily.

Purpose of taking the drug:

- Soft stools and bowel movements every day.

- All stool comes out of the bowels.

Dosage of the drug:

- The initial dose of the drug must be prescribed by a doctor. Sometimes the dosage needs to be varied. Talk to your doctor about this, he will help you change the dosage.

When it is necessary to increase the dosage of the drug:

- Small and hard stools.

- The child does not have a bowel movement every day.

- The child has difficulty emptying the bowels or is in pain.

When to reduce the dosage of the drug:

- Loose stools.

— The child has abdominal pain or cramps.

Duration of drug treatment

— As a rule, the course of treatment lasts at least 6 months.

— After 6 months of daily bowel movements, the doctor may decide to gradually reduce the dosage of the drug.

- If you stop taking the drug before the intestines return to normal, then constipation will begin again.

— It is important to make sure that the child has soft stools every day.

How do drugs to treat constipation work?

There are three types of laxatives. They act differently.

1. Osmotic laxatives. They carry water into the stool to keep it soft. Safe and often given to children. Usually taken every day. Suitable for long term use.

Examples: polyethylene glycol without electrolytes, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium citrate, lactulose, sorbitol.

2. Stimulant laxatives. They promote contractions of the intestinal muscles and promote stool in the intestines. As a rule, they are prescribed for a single dose.

Examples: senna, bisacodyl.

3. Lubricating laxatives. Facilitate the passage of stool through the intestines with an oil base.

Examples: liquid paraffin, glycerin suppositories.

Acute constipation medicines

Acute constipation occurs when large masses of hard stool block the intestines. If the doctor thinks that there is a blockage in the intestines, then as a first treatment option, he may prescribe a drug that will "cleanse" the intestines.

Your doctor will work with you to determine the best type of drug. Sometimes drugs that are taken by mouth are best. Sometimes drugs that are injected into the intestines are better suited. This "clearing" usually takes 2-3 days. It is best to spend it on the weekend or on vacation. The child will need to spend 2-3 days near the toilet and use it often.

These drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor. He will tell you how long and how often to take the drug.

Enema procedure

Most cases of constipation in children are treated with oral medications. In some cases, children need a drug that is injected into the rectum. Talk to your doctor about what treatment is best for your child. Do not give your child an enema without talking to the doctor first. Below is information about giving an enema if needed.

How to prepare a child for an enema

- Explain the procedure to the child in a way that he can understand, perhaps with illustrations.

- Let the child look at and touch the enema bottle.

- Touch the tip of the enema to his hand so he knows what it's like.

- Help your child practice beforehand how to lie down properly during an enema.

Enema preparation

— Read the instructions for the enema very carefully. Check out the pictures and instructions in the instructions.

- Make sure the enema is at room temperature.

- Prepare everything you need: an enema bottle; towel on which the child will lie; pillows; music, a favorite toy, or other items to help your child stay calm; wet cleansing wipes.

Decide where you will give the enema. Sometimes it's best to put the baby on a blanket or large towel on the bathroom floor next to the toilet.

- Place towels and/or pillows for your child to lie down comfortably.

- Have another person stand at eye level with the child during the procedure - read to him, sing, talk, play music or otherwise distract him and help him lie still.