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- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis
- Chickenpox
- Colic
- Common Cold
- Constipation
- Cough
- Croup
- Diaper Rash
- Diarrhea
- Ear Infections
- Eye Infections
- Fever in Children
- Fifth Disease
- Fluoride
- Head Injuries
- Head Lice
- Immunizations
- Lead Poisonings
- Lyme Disease
- Nosebleeds
- Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
- Poisonings
- Scabies
- Sensitive Skin or Eczema
- Sore Throat/Strep Throat
- Thrush
- Vomiting
Caring for Children: Constipation
Constipation is the infrequent passage of hard stools. There is a great deal of variation in stooling patterns among normal children. Breast-fed newborns average six to twelve stools daily. Older breast fed infants may have one to six stools a day or as little as one per week.
Formula fed infants average one to eight stools daily. Toddlers and school-aged children may have from three stools a day or one bowel movement every two days.
There are a number of causes of constipation in children:
- A change in diet. Many infants have firmer or more infrequent stools for several days after a major diet change, such as changing from breast to formula, or adding solids to the diet.
- A diet insufficient in fiber.
- A change in routine. Children frequently become temporarily constipated while traveling or during another change in their daily habits.
- A decrease in eating. Temporary constipation may occur during a minor infection or at other times when less is eaten.
- Fear of pain. A child who has passed a large stool in the past that caused pain may hold stool in order to avoid more pain.
Constipation can usually be very effectively treated by diet. Infants may be given prune juice, one to two ounces per day, straight or diluted with water or apple juice. One half to one jar of pureed prunes per day is another option. Toddlers and older children can have two to six ounces of prune juice a day. Increased fiber and bran in the diet will also help. For infants, oatmeal or barley cereal may be substituted for rice cereal. Pureed fruits should include peaches, pears, plums and apricots. Older infants and children can be offered foods high in fiber: bran cereals, whole wheat bread and crackers, raw fruits (peaches, pears, prunes, berries) and vegetables (carrots, broccoli, corn, beans, peas, cabbage, and lettuce).
Contact your pediatrician if your child has constipation that does not respond to dietary changes.
