How do I know if my child is constipated? And if so, what should I do?
Constipation is a common question among parents. Initially infants can stool anywhere from 12 times a day to once a week if their breast fed. So, constipation is not necessarily determined by how often your stools are but how comfortable your stools are and how solid or hard they are. So, if your child is pooping every other day but it's comfortable and not hard, that is not constipation. But if your child is pooping every day but it is really hard and clogs the toilet, that is a sign of constipation. If there is any sign of rectal bleeding, that would also be concerning and will need to be evaluated as well.
If your child is constipated, be sure that they are drinking an adequate amount of fluids, most importantly water. It's very important. Sometimes we will try a little bit of juice. Sometimes the sugar in the juice will help to keep fluid in the intestines, which will help with constipation. You can also try to increase your child's fiber intake. The best source of fiber are fresh fruits and vegetables. If none of these options work, please contact your pediatrician before starting any over the counter constipation medications, such as Miralax, Ex-lax or suppositories.
Constipation is a common question among parents. Initially infants can stool anywhere from 12 times a day to once a week if their breast fed. So, constipation is not necessarily determined by how often your stools are but how comfortable your stools are and how solid or hard they are. So, if your child is pooping every other day but it’s comfortable and not hard, that is not constipation. But if your child is pooping every day but it is really hard and clogs the toilet, that is a sign of constipation. If there is any sign of rectal bleeding, that would also be concerning and will need to be evaluated as well.
If your child is constipated, be sure that they are drinking an adequate amount of fluids, most importantly water. It’s very important. Sometimes we will try a little bit of juice. Sometimes the sugar in the juice will help to keep fluid in the intestines, which will help with constipation. You can also try to increase your child’s fiber intake. The best source of fiber are fresh fruits and vegetables. If none of these options work, please contact your pediatrician before starting any over the counter constipation medications, such as Miralax, Ex-lax or suppositories.
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(Part 1 of 2) Hello! It’s Nurse Dani. The treatment for constipation
largely depends on the age of your friend’s son and the severity of the
case. It would be best for your friend to call the pediatrician and ask for
their recommendation based on their ability to ask more specific questions
and take the child’s overall health history into account. If the doctor
recommended that the child should get 3 enemas every 3 hours, then it would
be best to follow the doctor’s advice. (Continued –>)
(Part 2 of 2) However, if this wasn’t the doctor’s advice, it would be best
to speak with a doctor before doing it. Good luck to your friend and her
son! If you have any other questions in the future, feel free to ask them
on our Intermountain Mom’s Facebook page.
hi my friend has a son that is constipated should she give him 3 enemas
every three hours.?