What Is
Constipation?
Constipation occurs when bowel movements become
difficult or less frequent. The normal length of time between bowel
movements ranges widely from person to person. Some people have bowel
movements three times a day; others, only one or two times a week. Going longer
than three days without a bowel movement is too long. After three days, the
stool or feces become harder and more difficult to pass.
You are considered constipated if you have
two or more of the following for at least 3 months:
- Straining during a bowel movement more than 25% of the time
- Hard stools more than 25% of the time
- Incomplete evacuation more than 25% of the time
- Two or fewer bowel movements in a week
Constipation is usually caused by a disorder
of bowel function rather than a structural problem. Common causes of
constipation include:
- Inadequate water intake
- Inadequate fiber in the diet
- A disruption of regular diet or routine; traveling
- Inadequate activity or exercise or immobility
- Eating large amounts of dairy products
- Stress
- Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, which is sometimes the
result of pain from hemorrhoids
- Overuse of laxatives (stimulant laxatives such as senna (Senokot))
which, over time, weaken the bowel muscles
- Hypothyroidism
- Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple
sclerosis
- Antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum
- Medicines (especially strong pain medicines, such as narcotics,antidepressants,
or iron pills)
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Colon cancer
In some cases, lack of good nerve and muscle
function in the bowel may also be a cause of constipation.
Symptoms of constipation can include:
- Infrequent bowel movements or difficulty having bowel movements
(straining)
- Hard or small stools
- Sense of incomplete bowel movement
- Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain
- Pain
- Vomiting
Natural
Remedies for Constipation in Infants
1.
Stomach Massage
Gently
massage the stomach of your baby, in a clockwise direction with the help of
your fingertips. Massage around the naval as well, in an outward, spherical
motion. It will eradicate the tension out of your baby’s tummy and give him/her
relief from the symptoms of constipation.
2.
Exercise
- Keep your infant on his/her back. Hold
his/her legs in a ½ bent position. Gently move baby’s legs in such a way,
as if s/he paddling a bicycle. Do it at a steady pace. Leg bicycling is a
great fun for your child and loosens up the intestines.
- Carry your newborn baby around in a
squat position. Elevate his/her little legs in a way that s/he is
squatting on your forearm like a bunny or frog. It will exert a little
pressure on the kid’s rectum and help him/her to defecate.
3. Sugar
Solution
Mix ½
teaspoon of sugar in an ounce of water. Give this solution to your baby thrice
a day before feeding him/her formula food. Instead of white sugar, it is
recommended to use brown sugar for preparing this solution.
Note- Utilize
cooled boiled water for this remedy.
4. Prune
Juice
Add diluted
prune juice to newborn’s bottle of formula. It will help him/her get rid of
constipation.
- If your child is older than 4 months,
mix 4 oz of breast or formula milk with 1 oz of prune juice. Give it twice
a day.
- If your little one is less than 4
months, just a tablespoon of prune juice in 4 oz of breast or formula
milk, two times a day is enough to regulate the bowel movement.
5. Dark
Corn Syrup
A combo of 4
ounces of water and 1 teaspoon of dark corn syrup is an effective remedy to
cure baby constipation. Give this solution at least two times a day.
Note:
1) Utilize
cooled boiled water for this remedy.
2) Don’t use this remedy, if you are already giving sugar solution to your infant.
2) Don’t use this remedy, if you are already giving sugar solution to your infant.
6. Warm
Bath
Utilize warm
water for your baby’s bath. While drying him/her, give a gentle massage. Warm
water relaxes the muscles of the stomach and relieves constipation.
7. Lubrication
to Anus
Apply a
water-based lubricant to your baby’s anus. It will lubricate the excretory
passage, thus, decreasing the discomfort.
Alternatively,
at the time of changing the diaper of your tot, rub around the anus, wiping
gently. It will encourage him/her poop.
8. Brown
Sugar
Take 1 oz of
boiled, cooled water. Add half a teaspoon of brown sugar to it. Give this
solution to your baby thrice a day just before feeding formula milk, until
his/her stool softens.
Note- White
sugar can also be used in place of brown sugar.
9. Castor
Oil
Castor is
the most commonly used remedy for relieving constipation in kids. Take a betel
leaf and dip its stalk in castor oil. Introduce it in the rectum of the baby.
If your child is more than 2 years old, give a mixture of castor oil (1
teaspoon) in a glass of milk. Adjust the dose as per the age of the child.
10.
Raisins
Soak 5-6
raisins in water and keep them soaked for the whole night. Crush them well the
next day. Strain it. Give the raisin liquid to regulate the bowel movement of
the child.
11. Milk
In a glass
of milk, add 2-3 teaspoons of honey or sugar. Stir well and give it to your kid
on an empty stomach, in the morning. It helps the child to pass stool easily.