Constipation in kids

Are you unhappy with your child's poop? Do they abstain for a few days and then grunt and sweat when in the toilet? This is a sensitive subject for many and mostly being push under the carpet. But lets get that bowel works out in the open today.

Constipation can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms that can last throughout the whole day — including bloating, gas, low back pain, and even anxiety or fatigue.

Constipation in kids | ICO healthy kids

We see it all to often, most kids eating a white diet. A diet filled with white pasta, white rice, sugar, chicken nuggets, shop juices and little to no vegetables and fiber. Your child is most probably low in fiber. Fiber is needed to help smooth bowl movements, to remove the unwanted stuff out of the body.Vegetables and fruits are loaded with fiber. We need fiber with plenty of water to keep our bowls moving and to remove waste and toxins out of our bodies. For good health our bowls need to work 1-2 times per day.

So if your child is eating mainly a white diet, don't move much or even get stressed the bowls stops working. It means build up of toxins and waste in the body. Firstly this can be painful when trying to push out, but also most importantly can cause other health issues. 

Constipation can have a serious negative effect on quality of life, as well as your physical and mental health.

What to do when your child experience constipation:I

n some circumstances, a dairy intolerance can cause constipation due to its effect on your gut movements. Avoid dairy for a while and see if the constipation goes away.

Certain medications like antibiotics can also cause constipation and other digestive health issues (SIBO, Dysbiosis etc). Try to limit medications for more serious illnesses.

Try to limit or avoid all sugary & processed foods and drinks.Make them drink more water, even infused water with lemon and mint is good. Staying hydrated is important to flush out toxins.

Make them move. Let them partake in a sport or just run around and play helps get the bowls moving. At least 30minutes a day.Give them small amounts of aloe vera to drink over time. Aloe vera is a natural laxative.

Give them plenty of fiber rich foods to eat, chia seeds, flaxseeds, apples, sweet potatoes, berries, prunes are all good. Add more vegetables into their diet.

Manage the child’s stress. Stress can show up in the body through constipation. Relaxation techniques include: yoga, stretching, meditation, prayer, massage, spending time outdoors, reading or writing a journal, exercise, warm baths, and using relaxing essential oils.

Avoid laxatives and other medications. Rather give them a good supplement that will support healthy digestion and bowl movements.

Take probiotics, maintaining a healthy intestinal tract is critical for avoiding digestive problems. Give a daily probiotic supplement of 10 billion (or more) “live” organisms.*

Digestive enzymes are crucial for the breakdown of food into smaller pieces which the body can use to survive.  Digestive enzymes can take stress off of the stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and small intestine by helping break down difficult-to-digest proteins, starches and fats.*

Magnesium improves gut motility. Add this supplement in slowly and cut back if it causes diarrhea. Consume about 100 - 150 milligrams 2 -3 times daily.*Aloe vera helps reduce inflammation and improves bowl movements. 

Aloe vera juice helps digestion, normalizes acid/alkaline & pH balance, lessens yeast formation, encourages digestive bacteria and regularizes bowel processing.•

  • Always consult with a nutritional therapist or integrative healthcare practitioner if you consider using supplements for kids.