Constipation Treatment for Children - Dr Paul Thomas

Constipation Treatment for Children

Constipation in children is best done by making changes in your child's diet. Some things
that you can do to treat and prevent constipation in your children include:

Increasing fluids: Increase the amount of water.

Increasing fiber: Increase the amounts of fruits and vegetables that your child eats.
Raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables (especially beans, sweet potatoes, peas, turnip
greens, raw tomatoes and corn) have the most fiber. Popcorn also has lots of fiber in it.

Vegetable soups are especially high in fiber and also add more fluid to your child's diet.

Increase bran in your child's diet by offering bran cereals, bran muffins, shredded
wheat, graham crackers, or whole wheat bread.

Decreasing constipating foods: The foods most notorious in causing constipation
include cow's milk, yogurt, cheese, cooked carrots, and bananas. Drinking too much milk
(your child may only be drinking 2-3 cups a day, but it may be too much for his system to
handle) is heavily associated with having constipation. Switching to Almond, Rice, or
Coconut milk may soften stools. If your child is unable to drink milk, then offer a daily
multivitamin or other sources of calcium (such as calcium fortified orange juice).

Best High Fiber Snacks for Kids
Kids are often choosy and moody when it comes to food. Rarely do we find kids listening to their
parents and showing a readiness towards following a healthy diet. However, making sure that a
child gets enough fiber in his diet is quite important. In such cases, low calorie high fiber snacks
are a good option. These high-in-fiber snacks are a great and healthy way of ensuring that your
child gets a sufficient amount of fiber in his diet. So what exactly are these fiber rich snacks?
Well, here's a list of healthy high fiber snacks that your child may enjoy:

• a bowl of mixed nuts
• dried fruit
• popcorn
• bran and whole wheat cookies, cakes, waffles and muffins
• a bowl of oatmeal mixed with raisins
• nutritional cereal bars
• whole wheat bagels
• whole wheat peanut butter sandwiches
• whole wheat tortillas with peanut butter

Additionally, you can also opt for fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, grapefruits, blueberries,
strawberries, figs, guavas and oranges which have a good amount of fiber in them. Try including
some of these high fiber snacks in your child's diet. They can be both tasty as well as healthy.

Fiber is scarce or absent in processed foods, even many breakfast cereals. Lack of fiber is
one of the hallmarks of junk food. And not only junk food, but fast foods, convenience
foods, most snack bars, most breads and many breakfast cereals aimed at kids are all
fiber-poor. To get enough fiber you've got to more whole, minimally processed plant
foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Fiber supplements can't make up the
difference on their own but they are a great help and a good start. We suggest talking to
your children about the importance of these healthy foods and dietary fiber. Yummi
Bears Fiber are a way to bring up the topic. Fiber Bears are made with chicory root fiber
and all-natural vegetarian ingredients, supplying 1.2 grams of fiber per 4 piece serving.
Yummi Bears are not a replacement for proper fiber-filled food choices but a way to get
started towards a healthy high-fiber diet.

The last resort constipation treatment would be MiraLax, it softens stool and increases
the number of bowel movements by keeping water in the stool. It can be taken at
anytime during the day. It is best, if your child takes it first thing in the morning on a full
or empty stomach. It may be 2 to 4 days before your child has a bowel movement. Most
common side effects are: nausea, bloating, cramping and gas. If your child has unusual
bloating, cramps or diarrhea call your doctor. MiraLax should be used for 2 weeks or
less or as directed by your doctor.

How to Mix: Mix one capful (17 grams) of MiraLax powder in 8 ounces (8 ounces =
240 ml. = 1 cup) of a clear beverage (water, Kool-Aid, juice, etc). Dissolve completely.

Your Child’s Starting Dose (see chart)

1 ounce of MiraLax Solution = 2 Tablespoons.

Child’s Weight Amount of MiraLax™ Solution

10 kg /22 lbs 2 oz. twice a day

20 kg/44 lbs 4 oz. twice a day

30 kg /66 lbs 5 oz. once a day

40 kg /88 lbs 7 oz. once a day

50 kg+ /100 lbs 8 oz. once a day

Keep the pre-mixed solution of MiraLax in the refrigerator. It is good for up to one
week. The dose may need to be changed based on bowel results after 4-5 days of use.
Give your child enough MiraLax so that she has one good bowel movement per day. If
loose stools develop, stop the MiraLax for 2 days and restart at a lower dose.