Recently, the problem with constipation has troubled not only the older generation, but also occurs in young and in childhood. Increasingly, parents turn to doctors with the question: constipation in children, what should I do? It should be noted that if this applies to a newborn child, then there may be temporary problems associated with an unformed colon system. A child may worry and cry before bowel movements, and after a couple of months, the stool may fully recover.
When a child is transferred to artificial feeding, then problems with bowel movements may occur due to the greater density of feces. If parents complain about constipation in children, what to do - the answer will be unequivocal: you need to contact a pediatrician who should examine the child. The cause may be an acute intestinal infection or simply a reluctance of the child to go to the potty. In this case, parents need to find out the reason why the baby reacts so sharply to him, and eliminate it.
To answer the question: constipation in children, what to do, first you need to balance the nutrition of the child. If the baby is on artificial feeding, then you need to reconsider the mixture and choose those in which the ratio of proteins to carbohydrates is reduced. Older children need to be given more to drink fluids, to include in the diet high-quality dairy products, bran bread, beets, figs, dried apricots and prunes. Porridge (buckwheat, barley) will help greatly, since they contain a lot of dietary fiber and baked apples.
If you complain of constipation in children, a nutritionist will tell you what to do with such a problem. In addition, the child needs to move more. Record it in the sports section, for swimming or give it to the dance club. If the problem still remains relevant, you can use herbal preparations such as hay or buckthorn as a laxative. You can not only use them often, as this can be addictive and diarrhea.
Often enemas are used to solve the problem. To use this method, you need to know how to make an enema with a syringe. Firstly, for an enema, you can use boiled water, preferably room temperature or saline, as well as a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Enema volume is calculated depending on the age of the child. Children up to 1 year old can get about 100 ml of liquid, over 1 year old - up to 300 ml, over 5 years old - up to half a liter.
The syringe should be pre-sterilized, the tip smeared with petroleum jelly or baby cream. After this, the tip is inserted several centimeters into the rectum and water is gently squeezed out on the child's sigh. Then the tip must be carefully pulled out and hands squeeze the buttocks for at least 1 minute. It will be good to turn the child on the back, then on the tummy, so that the liquid is evenly distributed throughout the intestine.
Some parents doubt whether an enema can be given to newborns, and in vain. At this age, you just need to help the baby get comfortable with his digestive tract. If you need to strengthen the effect of the enema, add a little glycerin to the water (preferably, no more than 1 teaspoon). Of course, enemas can not be resorted to too often, the child must learn to cope with such problems on their own.
Some parents are faced with the fact that the child is not able to deliver an enema. In this case, you can buy glycerin candles in the pharmacy and put the child instead of douching. Also, doctors often prescribe Karlovy Vary salt or magnesia as a laxative, which can hold water and thin the feces. These drugs also disinfect and remove poisons from the intestines. In any case, you first need to consult a pediatrician in order to avoid the negative consequences of self-medication. Having examined the child, the doctor will choose the most optimal treatment option.