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:
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 relief
Senokot Tablets contains Senna and Senokot Hi-Fibre contains Ispaghula Husk. Always read the product label.
