5 Effective Home Remedies for Constipation in Children

Constipation is a common problem in children, which affects their everyday bowel movements. They experience infrequent bowel movements and difficulty in passing stool. These everyday ablutions of children cause their parents a lot of grief. Parents often worry about them either not pooping enough or pooping too much.

Symptoms for Constipation in Children

Among the major causes of constipation in children are dehydration, frequent diet changes, lack of physical activities, or a tummy bug. A hard, dry stool often causes pain during a bowel movement and is sometimes accompanied by a bright red streak of blood. Children may also have symptoms like nausea, stiff belly, and loss of appetite.

Home Remedies for Constipation in Children

While we recommend consulting a pediatrician in case of any issue with your child’s health, you can try the following home remedies to relieve the common symptoms of constipation in children:

1. Increase fiber intake

Foods like oatmeal, cereals, grains, leafy vegetables, and fruits are full of fiber that adds bulk to the stool. Not only do fiber-rich foods help keep bowel movements healthy, but they also keep us full for a longer time.

2. Increase fluid intake

Dehydration is another big cause of constipation in children (or anyone for that matter). Drinking enough water and other fluids every day is a great way to prevent constipation, especially in children.

Increasing fluid intake will help keep your child’s stool soft and eventually make it easy to pass. Common health sources of fluid are fruit juices, buttermilk, and the best one is water.

3. Ginger and honey

While ginger is quite well-known for its natural ability to cure various health issues, honey possesses the superpower to relieve constipation. The combination of ginger and honey helps not only digestion but also maintain good bowel health.

Simply add 1/2-inch of ginger to a cup of boiling water for around 2 minutes. Now, wait until it cools down a bit and then add a teaspoon of honey to it to make a solution. Give this solution to your constipated child 2 to 3 times a day.

4. Oil massage

This is another home-made remedy for constipation. You need to put your child in lying position and massage his/her stomach clockwise using warm coconut of olive oil mixed with Asafetida. Do this massage multiple times throughout the day and your child shall have improved bowel movements.

Asafetida is well-known to release the gases trapped in your tummy and alleviate the discomfort.

5. Dry figs

Figs are widely known as a natural laxative that helps alleviate constipation. Add 2 dry figs to half a cup of boiling milk. Keep the flame on until the figs become soft. Make a thick paste out of this after the solution cools down.

Now, get a strainer to remove extra milk and make the paste smoother. Give a tablespoon of this paste to your child at least an hour before bedtime and he/she can expect an easy bowel movement the next morning.

Bonus Tip

Constipation is a common problem in children who frequently eat fast food. Foods like burgers, fries, and pizza are loaded with simple carbs, sugars, and unhealthy fats but lack fiber. These foods can easily replace one complete meal of the day. For your children to have healthy bowel habits, make sure their everyday need for fiber and fluid are fulfilled.

Conclusion!

Your health is directly connected to your eating and drinking habits. While constipation can occur in people from any age group, watch what you put in your stomach to stay healthy and have good bowel habits.