10 Home Remedies for Constipation in Toddlers

Constipation in toddlers is one of their most commonly experienced health problems. The child may pass hard stool, passes stool with difficulty or passes stool less than 4 times a week if he/she is suffering from constipation. Change in eating habits is one of the most probable reasons of constipation among the toddlers as their digestive system takes time to adjust with the change.

Another major cause of toddler’s constipation can be toilet training as they may feel uncomfortable while using the toilet initially which causes constipation. Emotional stress or illness can also be among the prominent reasons of constipation in infants. There are many toddler constipation remedies that are popularly used since long. Some home remedies are briefly discussed here under that can help in constipation relief for toddler.

1. Increase Fluid Intake

In order to detoxify one’s system it is necessary that his kidneys work properly. The intake of water and fruit juices can help in constipation relief for toddlers as they dilute the toxins in their body. So the increase of liquid intake can treat toddler’s constipation effectively. You can also use lukewarm water for this purpose as it will help in diluting the toxins more easily and effectively.

2. Increase In Intake Of Fibrous Foods

Eating fibre rich foods can be among the good toddler constipation remedies as they help in regulating bowel movements. They should be given fruits and vegetables like pears, apricots, plums, sweet potatoes, carrots, beans, spinach and broccoli to eat as they are rich in fibre. You can also give them blueberries to eat as they are rich in protein too. Highly fibrous foods can help in cleansing their colon more effectively.

3. Milk

The constipation develops in some children due to excessive intake of milk especially cow milk. It has been observed that some children suffer from constipation due to drinking cow milk in routine, instead of other milks. So constipation in toddlers can also be treated by decrease or eliminating the intake cow’s milk. But, on the contrary, some children have constipation for not drinking milk properly. You can ease their stool passing by giving them 2-3 teaspoon of sugar or honey mixed in a glass of milk in the morning when his stomach is empty.

4. Natural Lubricants

These lubricants can also be among effective toddler constipation remedies. Some of these lubricants may include:

The powder of Flax seeds sprinkled over the meal of the child as it is a high fibre natural laxative.

One teaspoon of Castor oil mixed in a glass of milk

One teaspoon of linseeds in cereals or soup

Water-based lubricants can also be used on baby’s anus to ease the passage of stool.

Mixture of ¼ cup of olive oil with ¼ cup of orange juice can also be a good remedy for the constipation of your child.

5. Raisins

Drinking the juice of 8-10 crushed and strained raisins soaked overnight in a glass of water can also be good for constipation relief for toddlers. Thus you can improve the bowel movement of your child easily as he can take this juice easily due to its pleasant flavour and taste.

6. Honey And Sugar

Drinking the mixture of 2-3 teaspoons of sugar or honey in a cup of water or milk can also help in treating constipation in toddlers. You can also try half teaspoon of brown sugar mixed in one ounce of boiled and cooled water to treat this problem effectively. But you will have to repeat it at least thrice a day until his stool gets soft.

7. Ginger Root

Consuming the mixture of ginger root juice with honey can also help in constipation relief for toddlers.

8. Prunes

Prunes can also be a good remedy for constipation in toddlers. You can give them to drink the water in which organic prunes were soaked overnight. New born babies over 4 months age can also get rid of constipation by adding diluted prune juice in their formula feed. The bowel movement of less than 4 month old infants can also be improved by mixing diluted juice of prune in their mother or formula feed at least twice a day.

Decrease the consumption of constipating foods: Certain food items like yogurt, milk, bananas and cheese can cause constipation in toddlers. So to treat their constipation you should give them fruits and vegetables to eat instead of milk. The organic water of green coconut can also be an effective treatment for toddler’s constipation.

9. Candy-sugar solution

The infusion of candy sugar in boiled water can also be one of the most effective toddler constipation remedies. It can help their kidneys to work properly to remove toxins from their body. You should give him/her this solution regularly at least twice a day to get effective results within few days.

10. Massage

Massaging the stomach of the toddler can also be one of the effective toddler constipation remedies. You can massage his stomach on below the navel area to regulate his bowel movement by relaxing his intestinal muscles. But massage should be done gently in spherical motion with your fingertips around his navel area.

Dos and Do nots about treating constipation in toddlers

Do’s

• Keep the toddler hydrated by giving him fluid after equal intervals.
• Encourage your child to go for toilet regularly at a set time.
• Dilute the juices like prune juice, pear juice or apple juice, with water before giving it to your toddler to avoid the problem of gas, diarrhoea or bloating.
• Breast feeding moms should avoid consuming dairy products in their diet.
• Increase physical activities of your child by involving him running, walking and jumping etc. can also be among good toddler constipation remedies as they help in the proper functioning of his digestive system.

Don’ts

• Some kids cannot digest cow milk. So instead of cow milk you can include soy milk in their routine diet as this nutritious milk will be easy to digest for them.
• In order to treat constipation in toddlers you should not switch to low iron formula feed as it can obstruct his genera growth.
• You should not include refined and processed foods along with cereals, rice, bananas, carrots, white bread, applesauce and dairy products in their routine diet for constipation relief for toddlers.