“Are there any home remedies to treat constipation in kids?”
My son often complains of constipation. Are there any home remedies to treat this?
5 Answers
You bet, it depends on their age, but the best items are high in insoluble fiber. These act to provide a platform for good bacteria to grow on as well a bulk to stabilize and soften stool. You can google fiber and food and find a list of high fiber foods, and I recommend adding a tablespoon of bran fiber or wheat germ to the child's regular foods. You can use oat bran if worried about gluten sensitivity. The total grams of fiber per day recommended varies, but I shoot for 15 grams plus their age up to 20 years.
Absolutely! For infants OVER six months a teaspoon of Karo syrup in the bottle or sippy cup can helo. Start just once a day and increase if needed to a maximum of three times a day. School aged kids sometimes like raisins (or Raisinettes can be a sneaky “treat” to help constipation.) Pineapple has digestive enzymes that can promote a bowel movement. Gradually increasing water and fiber together in the diet helps. And very importantly exercise (active play.) Foods that constipate are low fiber “white foods” like rice, bread, crackers, also bananas and applesauce can constipate, so watch those. If the problem is causing several days between BMs or if there are such large BMs they clog the toilet, or there is stool leaking, this is a different issue and should be addressed by your pediatrician. (For example encoporesis.). Great question!
Yes, there are lots of home remedies available. Firstly, your child should drink plenty of water. If he is 6 months and older, then he can do prunes and prune juices. It is also important to include lots of fiber in diet (can try fiber drinks like Metamucil).
Give a high-fiber diet, avoid white breads, white pasta, peanut butter, and cheese. Give extra water and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Give several prunes a day. Make sure he is not rushed so he takes time to have a bowel movement.
Yes, natural fibers like salad green vegetables, fruits, prunes, also lentils and beans, brown rice, prune juice, apple juice, etc.
