What
can I do if my child is constipated?
After
birth, most infants pass four
to five soft liquid bowel movements a day. Breast-fed
infants usually tend to have more bowel movements compared to
formula-fed
infants. Some breast-fed infants have a bowel movement after each
feed, whereas others have only one bowel movement every two to three
days. Infants who are breast-fed rarely develop constipation. By the
age of two years, a child will usually have one or two bowel
movements a day. By four years of age, a child will have one bowel
movement a day.
Constipation
in children can
occur at any time, but in particular:
- after
starting formula or solid
foods (while an infant)
- during
toilet
training
of toddlers
- soon
after starting school or during other stressful experiences
What
are the causes and what can you do?
Common
causes of constipation are inactivity, a low fibre diet and limited
fluid intake. Some medications such as antacids, like Gaviscon, and
antihistamines can also cause constipation. The problem should
resolve quickly after addressing these issues.
Voluntary
withholding of the stool after experienced pain or other discomfort
is a common cause of constipation in toddlers. A
doctor needs to assess these children as early management can prevent
this from becoming a chronic problem.
There
are some other, rare, conditions that can cause constipation such as
metabolic,
neuromuscular and anatomical disorders. These conditions usually
begin in early infancy and need further medical assessment.
Consult
your doctor if:
- your
child refuses to pass a stool after experiencing pain or other
discomfort
- constipation
persists after attention has been given to diet and if the child is
otherwise active
- your
child refuses food
- your
child is in pain
At
Richmond Practice,
our
doctors and/or paediatrician
(children's doctor) will be happy to assess your child to exclude
any underlying medical cause. We can also review the child's diet
or draw in help from other specialists as required.
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