Psychological constipation in a child can lead to great health troubles and even hospitalization. This problem most often manifests itself in children 2-5 years old. Just at the time when the child is being taught to use a potty or toilet bowl, they will be sent to kindergarten and clear rules of conduct will be built.
What is psychological constipation in a child
This concept was not used at all in Soviet times. It was believed that children aged 2-3 years who are afraid of the pot are just acting up. This is a very incorrect statement.
Modern psychologists have proved that a condition when a child restrains the process of defecation is developed at a subconscious level and punishment can only worsen the condition.
Parents should understand that children 2-5 years of age have many fears, because their life experience is gradually replenished with various unpleasant situations.
Causes
Pediatricians and psychologists, thanks to their experience and long-term observation of babies, have come to some conclusions that can explain the occurrence of psychological constipation in a child:
- The kid couldn’t go to the toilet for a few days, as a result, the stool hardens and natural defecation occurs with painful sensations. Sometimes cracks even arise in the anus, which then heal for a long time and bring a lot of inconvenience to the child. After a while, the baby restrains the process independently, so as not to experience such sensations again.
- The child is accustomed to the potty and if unsuccessful attempts punish him. The kid understands that he receives a punishment for the process of defecation, and ceases to commit it, so as not to get negative from his parents.
- The child is sent to kindergarten, and the collective "gatherings" on the pots clearly do not suit him. He can be shy and pinched. As a result, a few days later there is a psychological constipation.
- The baby suffered an intestinal infection with numerous diarrhea. He remembers his sensations when his stomach hurts and growls. And also understands that every trip to the pot distracted him from an interesting game. On top of that, mom was very upset by every regular loose stool. Therefore, after recovery, the child begins to restrain his urge to go big, so as not to get sick again.
- The negative emotional situation in the family contributes to the development of psychological constipation in a child of 4 years. At this age, the baby already very clearly feels the mood of the parents. He is trying to do everything so as not to upset them. The child understands that during family scandals it is impossible to distract mom so that he will not get into trouble. Then, at the time of the urge to defecate, he begins to actively restrain himself.
The psychological causes of constipation in children can contribute to the development of even more complex conditions. For example, the next unpleasant surprise is calo-anointing. This is when the child is a little empty in his underpants.
Why is there a fear of a pot or toilet
The child does not go to the toilet in a big way. Why is this happening and how to deal with it? For the first time, problems with constipation begin at the age of 2-3 years. In this period, just actively, parents begin to accustom the baby to walk on need for a potty.
A kid at 2-3 years old already realizes the need to relieve his natural needs, but still does not fully understand the physiological nature of this process. Many babies find this process shameful. Of course, such an opinion could not be developed independently.
Most often, this means that jokes or unpleasant remarks about the process occur in the family. It happens that, leaving the toilet, dad receives a comment from his mother that the smell in the apartment is far from pleasant. A man can laugh it off, and the child will “write down” on a subconscious level that for a trip you can get a remark for the most part.
Often there are problems with stools at a time when adults begin to teach a child to go to the toilet instead of a pot. All these devices on the toilet seem dangerous to the baby. And the biggest fear is the hole that goes nowhere: "I will definitely fall."
The consequences of constipation
How to help with psychological constipation in a child and should it be done? This question revolves in the head of all parents who are faced with this problem. Such a situation must be fought, only with the right methods.
If you start the process of proper natural bowel movement by gravity, then you can get a number of problems in the future:
- The stool hardens too much, and even with the use of medical methods, the bowel movement will be painful, which will further aggravate the situation.
- If feces are retained in the body for a long time, then intoxication begins, which can lead to severe poisoning of the body. In this case, hospitals and droppers can not be avoided.
- The baby’s appetite is almost completely lost, as a result of which he loses weight rapidly. This situation is extremely dangerous for lightweight children.
- An unpleasant belching appears, which leaves, to put it mildly, terrible sensations in the mouth even for an adult, not to mention a child.
- Gradually, the baby grows apathy, he plays less, he often experiences sudden mood swings. This condition is also associated with intoxication.
If the problem is not solved after 6 years, then parents can expect poor school performance, nervousness, lack of normal attention.
How to help get rid of fears
First of all, parents should understand that the alarming states of children do not pass through force and punishment. They will only get worse, and the problem will increase.
It is necessary to show the child that the whole family supports him and understands children's concerns. The method with fairy tales works very well. For example, the mother tells the child a story about a little "little bag" who loves to walk, but the baby does not let her out. Then she takes offense and begins to offend the baby’s tummy. And if the baby will let her out, then she will be kind, and he will no longer be ill.
Plasticine games also help very well. During such exercises, the child’s muscles are completely relaxed, he is distracted from his fears and can easily go to the potty.
What can not be done?
What to do with psychological constipation in a child? Many adults resort to the option of strength and punishment. For example, the baby does not go to the toilet for more than two days, and his parents put him in a pot with the order not to get up until he gets off.
This method can only achieve the opposite result. The child will be even more tense, and fears will increase. It is very important to understand that if there was no natural bowel movement for a long time, and then it happened in panties, then the punishment should not be followed.
Mom should support the child and praise, and only then explain that adult children should perform this process on a pot or toilet.
Diet treatment
How to overcome psychological constipation in a child? Attempts to establish natural bowel movements should begin with the establishment of a diet. The child should eat during the allotted hours. Thus, its gastrointestinal tract will respond in time to food intake, and the process of digestion will occur in the correct rhythm.
It is also important to make the right diet for the baby. Most often, at the age of 2-4 years, children already eat almost on an adult menu. But do not forget that the baby's digestive tract is not yet fully formulated, especially in terms of the production of enzymes, and some products can cause constipation and the formation of a large amount of gas.
Mandatory components
The child’s daily diet must include the right amount of fruits and vegetables. Children with constipation should not offer juices. They should eat fruit in its natural form and, if possible, with a skin. In this case, a large amount of fiber enters the body, which contributes to the proper functioning of the digestive tract. It is also important to wean the baby as early as possible to eat pureed food, otherwise the feces are formed in insufficient quantities.
What should not be given?
Children who suffer from psychological constipation should be restricted in bakery products. Because such products are a direct way to problems with bowel movements.
Also on days when constipation occurs, you do not need to include rice dishes in the children's diet. There is an opinion that kefir helps get rid of constipation. But it is not so. Scientists have proven that the number of beneficial bacteria is better than kefir not older than 1-2 days. But such a drink can cause constipation.
It turns out that it is necessary to establish kefir over 2 days to establish a bowel movement. So, when buying a drink, you need to look at the date so that it is not fresh. This does not mean that you need to offer your child a "delay", otherwise you may end up in an infectious diseases hospital.
Also, the baby should not offer legumes and cabbage. These products cause the formation of a large amount of gas, which will lead to even greater discomfort in the abdomen.
What is useful to include in the diet?
There are products that must be present on the daily menu of a baby who suffers from psychological constipation. Beetroot helps to cope with such a problem very well.
From it you can cook a simple dish. Beets must be boiled until cooked. Then peel and grate. In the finished mass, you can add pickled cucumber in the same consistency. The salad is seasoned with sunflower oil and slightly salted.
Prunes also have a good effect on intestinal motility. From it you can make compote or purchase ready-made baby puree and offer the child a mid-morning snack.
Particular attention must be paid to the baby's drinking regimen. First of all, you need to offer him half a glass of fresh unboiled water in the morning on an empty stomach. It is advisable to use bottled.
During the day, the child should drink an amount equal to 50 ml per 1 kg of body weight. The liquid helps to thin the feces and does not allow it to thicken very much.
Drug treatment
In extreme cases, you can resort to the use of drugs. How to treat psychological constipation in a child? According to the recommendations of pediatricians, in such cases, drugs that contain lactulose can be used.
The most popular at the moment is "Dufalac." It is sold in bottles or disposable packaging. A pleasantly tasting syrup has almost no color. This means that dyes are not used in the manufacture.
According to the instructions for use, Dufalac is prescribed for children from the first month of life. In the first three days, the dose for children from 1 to 6 years should be at least 5 ml per day. Then, little by little, it can be reduced until the expected result is achieved for several days, or even weeks. Children up to a year are given up to five milliliters of syrup.
The instructions for use with Dufalac (it is often prescribed for children) indicate that lactulose is not absorbed into the bloodstream and is completely excreted in feces. This substance increases the amount of feces, as a result of which it is already difficult for the child to restrain himself, and natural defecation occurs.
Prevention
The famous pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky advises not to focus on the process of defecation in a child. Then he will have a decrease in nervous tension about this, and the process will gradually improve itself.
The doctor notes that first of all it is necessary to establish the daily routine of the baby. He must eat, sleep and walk on time. Komarovsky advises not to overfeed the baby so that the digestive tract organs work at a normal pace and without excessive load.
The doctor claims that with sufficient activity and physical activity, the child will not suffer from constipation. In his opinion, it is also better to offer the baby a piece of apple for a snack, rather than squeezing juice out of it.
Komarovsky points out that lactulose-based drugs can be used to treat constipation with absolute safety. The doctor notes that the child’s body does not get used to the active substance and natural defecation will gradually improve.
conclusions
What to do if the child is afraid to poop? The answer is clear: surround him with care and affection. For the baby, you need to organize proper, balanced nutrition, increase the number of walks in the fresh air and, if necessary, use Dufalac or its analogues.
In this case, the psychological tension in this regard will decrease in both the baby and the parents. Gradually, the process of defecation will improve, and peace and rest will be restored in the family.