If you are looking for a cure for constipation in kids, home remedies often work. Increasing the quantity of fibre-rich fruits and vegetables in your kid’s diet and drinking more fluids will also help.
Laxatives are substances that loosen stools and increase bowel movements. Natural laxatives can be used to treat and/or prevent constipation in kids. This post includes some of the commonly used home remedies for constipation in kids.
Table of Contents
What is Constipation?
Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation in kids is usually not serious and are temporary. But take your kid to doctor if constipation lasts longer than two weeks accompanied by,
- Crying continuously
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Bad breath
- Nausea
- Refusal to eat
- Loss of appetite
- Coated tongue
- Blood in stool
Causes of Constipation in Kids
- Dehydration
- Introduction of solids
- Lack of dietary fibre
- Overconsumption of Apple, Banana and Cereals
- Drug side effects
Home remedies for constipation in kids
Remedies for babies under 6 months
Tummy massage: Place your fingertips on your babies belly button and massage in a circular motion.
Baby exercise: Moving your babies legs gently in a bicycle motion will help to ease bowel movements.
Tummy time: Keeping your baby on his tummy also helps to increase bowel movements.
Hot water bath: Hot water bath can make the baby calm and reduce uneasiness.
Hing: Take a pinch of Hing and apply it on your babies belly button and massage gently in a circular motion.
Castor oil: Dip your fingertips in castor oil and apply it on your babies belly button and massage gently in a circular motion.
Remedies for kids above 6 months
Kadukkai (Terminalia Chebula): Rub kadukkai 4-5 times on a sandal stone and mix the rubbed extract of it with breastmilk/water and giver your baby using Sangu/paladai after the bath.
Betel leaves and Vasambu (Acorus calamus | Malabar Nut | Vasaka): Take the juice of 1 betel juice. Rub vasambu 1-2 times on a sandal stone and mix the rubbed extract of it with betel juice and giver your baby using Sangu/paladai after the bath.
Water: Offering your baby lots of fluids in addition to regular feedings will help to prevent constipation. Make sure your baby is well hydrated.
Flax seeds: Flax seeds are proven to be one of the best ways to relieve constipation. Ground Flaxseeds into a fine powder. Add a tsp of the ground flax powder to cooked vegetables, cereals and offer your baby.
Barley: Dietary fibre in Barley helps to increase bowel movements.
Fibre-rich fruits:
- Red banana contains lots of fibre. Fibre-rich foods are essential for regular bowel movements.
- Guava can be a best natural remedy for constipation but note if the seeds of the Guava are not chewed properly it may lead to constipation.
- Apple helps to loosen up your baby’s stool.
- Pear juice/puree can be offered to your baby as it is fibre rich and it actually works.
- Orange juice can work well for constipation in kids as it contains dietary fibre. Instead of juice, you can also give the Orange pulp if your baby is ok with it.
- Papaya is a natural laxative rich in fibre which eases your babies bowel movements.
- Kiwi fruit is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants so it provides relief from constipation.
Fibre-rich vegetables:
- Spinach helps to relieve constipation.
- Cabbage is rich in fibre content and helps to relieve constipation.
- Beets are known for helping with digestive problems.
- Broccoli is a superstar source of fibre. Offer steamed/boiled broccoli to your babies.
Dry fruits:
Do not overdo with any foods. Too much of anything is good for nothing. Do not force feed your kid as it may also lead to constipation.
Foods for Breastfeeding Mother
Breastfeeding mothers include the following foods in your daily menu and continue feeding your baby.
- Have ripe Papaya fruit.
- Ginger juice – Peel, chop, grind the ginger and filter it. Take a pan to add the ginger juice, filtered palm jaggery and honey. Allow it to boil and then consume the warm ginger juice.
- Ajwain water – Soak ajwain in water overnight, next day strain the mixture and have the water.
Word of Caution
The opinions expressed in this post are personal opinions of mine. Each kid is unique in their own way. Some remedies may help some may not. So keep checking for allergies when you introduce a new food.
If you find this post helpful, do share with mommies who are in need of this information. Thank you in advance.