| If you are a parent there is a pretty good chance | | | | to toddlers. Without an adequate number of grams |
| that you have dealt with toddler constipation at | | | | of fiber per day, your child has an increased chance |
| some point during your child's life. | | | | of becoming constipated. Common and often favorite |
| This aggravating condition can be painful for your | | | | childhood foods include those such as milk, cheese, |
| child and frustrating for you as the parent. While adult | | | | and peanut butter, which are known to be |
| constipation is defined as when an adult experiences | | | | constipating. Encourage bulk fiber foods such as |
| three or less bowel movements during a week, a | | | | wheat bread, whole grain foods and fresh vegetables |
| toddler is different. | | | | can help your child to reduce their challenge with |
| A toddler does not have a "normal" number of bowel | | | | constipation. |
| movements. There are definite patterns to bowel | | | | Ignoring the urge to defecate, which is common in |
| movements and things such as activity level, fluid | | | | toddlers, can make the problem worse. Kids are busy |
| volume intake, fiber intake and ignoring the urge to | | | | and often don't want to bothered taking time out of |
| defecate all impact the pattern. | | | | their busy day to go to the bathroom. This really can |
| So if there are times that your child is experiencing | | | | become an issue if they have experienced pain with |
| constipation, there are a few things that you can do | | | | a bowel movement, since it makes them more likely |
| to help resolve the issue. Treatment for toddler | | | | to want to ignore the next urge to have a bowel |
| constipation can certainly start with prevention. | | | | movement. |
| Dehydration is a rather common reason for toddler | | | | Yes, toddler constipation is a common fact of life, so |
| constipation. So if your child is not taking in an | | | | no need to panic. There are lots of options for |
| adequate amount of fluids then their stools can | | | | helping your child effectively manage constipation. |
| become quite hard. As the stool hardens, it can | | | | Work with your child's pediatrician to make sure that |
| become difficult to pass. So by working to keep your | | | | you have the best management plan individualized for |
| toddler well hydrated you can help to work towards | | | | your child. Here's to healthy and happy bowel |
| the prevention of constipation. | | | | movements for your toddler and ones that lack any |
| Low fiber intake is another challenge when it comes | | | | evidence of constipation! |