Constipation
Senna
Senokot syrup is suitable for use in children from 6 years, and senokot tablets are suitable from 12 years. But babies can suffer too so we have pulled together some helpful information to show you ways of preventing easing the pain for your baby.
What is constipation?
Constipation is a commonly encountered problem in children. It can be due to the same reasons as in adults – poor diet, low fluid intake, illness or medication. But in children there can also be some emotional triggers, for example starting potty training or starting school for the first time. The main thing is not to worry and sort the problem out as quickly as possible.
How will I know if my child has constipation?
New born Babies
The frequency of bowel movements of young babies (up to six months) varies a great deal. Breast-fed babies rarely suffer from constipation because breast milk is easily digestible. Your baby's large intestine has the right bacteria to break down some of the harder-to-process proteins in milk, making the stools soft and easy to pass. Breast-fed babies also have higher levels of the hormone motiline, which stimulates bowel movement.
Older Babies
After about six months, or when babies start on solid or semi-solid food, bowel movements become more regular depending on the food they eat. The stools start to look, and smell, more like those of an adult. At this point, babies may suffer from constipation as their young intestines get used to the nutrients in solid foods. Dehydration can also contribute. As stools accumulate in the intestine, they become harder and more difficult to pass. Any remaining moisture is reabsorbed into the body, making the stools even harder and causing more discomfort.
Childhood Constipation
When a child complains it is painful to go to the toilet, it must be taken seriously. Your child may subconsciously hold back the stool to prevent a painful evacuation. When hard stools accumulate in the rectum, only watery stools manage to get through, often by accident - your child may appear to have diarrhoea but it is actually caused by "overflow" constipation. This could leave the remaining stools even drier, harder and more painful to pass.
How to treat constipation:
Constipation remedies should not be used on very young babies, unless in extreme cases and only if prescribed by a doctor. Remember that constipation can be caused by dehydration.
Older babies can be helped by laying them on their back and moving their legs in a cycling motion which gently puts pressure on the intestine and can stimulate bowel movement. Massaging the baby's tummy can also help. Rub a little baby oil or cream in clockwise circular motions from the navel outwards. This can also make the baby relax, which helps towards relieving constipation. Similarly, a warm bath can also help to put the baby at ease and relieve some of the tension in the bowels.
Older children pick up parents' anxiety, so it is important not to appear worried. If your child is affected, try to make the same lifestyle changes as you would for yourself by getting him/her to:
- eat more fibre - every parent knows how picky children can be about what they eat, so sneaking high fibre foods into their diet requires some ingenuity. That said, you should try not to make a behavioural issue out of eating - food should remain a pleasure
Click here for useful tips on a high fibre diet, high fibre recipes and a 7 day diet planner
- drink more water
- take more exercise
- cut down on high fat and high sugar content foods
- encourage regular bowel habit setting aside a specific time of day to go to the toilet, such as after breakfast or the evening meal, will teach your child not to put off bowel movements and may help to establish regular habits. A footstool can put the toilet at a comfortable height, while putting out storybooks or comics may help them relax and take their time.
Children's Constipation Remedies
It's hard to sit by while your child is suffering, so if necessary a gentle constipation remedy can be given to older children. Fruit-flavoured syrups make it easy for a child to take a remedy - just one 5ml spoonful of Senokot syrup in the morning, can bring effective relief to children aged 6-12 (Consult your doctor for children under 6, always read the label). For children aged 12 or over, Senokot tablets taken at night can bring overnight reliefIt can be difficult to get a child to eat enough fibre to relieve constipation. Senokot Hi-Fibre is a good way to help maintain a child's regularity, but a doctor should be consulted if a bowel movement has not occurred within three days
Children 6-12 : ½ to 1 level 5ml spoonful, morning and evening, depending on age and
size.
Adults and children over 12 : one sachet morning and evening.
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