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The most common cause of constipation is a decision made by the child to delay going to the bathroom after having a painful experience. While there are few well-designed studies that have focused on childhood constipation, it is recognized that increasing fibre intake is important in preventing ongoing problems.
What is constipation?
A child is constipated when stools are hard, dry and difficult to pass. Infrequent, soft stools passed without pain are not a sign of constipation.
Possible causes of constipation in children over one year:
- Too much milk or cheese and not enough high fibre foods
- Not enough fruit, vegetables or whole grains
- Not enough water
- Not enough active play
Helpful Tips:
- Breastfeed into the 2nd year of life and beyond
- Offer no more than 3 cups of milk per day to encourage appetite for other foods
- Offer more water
- If you are giving fruit juice, dilute it well with water to increase fluid intake.
- Offer whole grain breads with 2 or more grams of fibre per slice
- Offer cereals with 4 grams or more fibre per serving. Try the recipe below.
- Add some oat bran, fruits or raisins to hot cereal.
- Offer fresh fruit and raw or cooked vegetables more often than juice.
- Get creative with baked beans. Try them on baked potatoes, crackers, in tacos or on toast.
- Encourage lots of active play
- Have regular meals and snack times
- Have a regular toilet time and routine.
Cereal Snack - for children aged 2 or older
One serving = 1/4 to ½ cup
Choose a variety of any of the following to make a total of 2 cups of cereal:
- 1/2 cup Shreddies
- 1/2 cup Rice Chex
- 1/2 cup Corn Bran
1/2 cup Oat Rings - Add 1/2 cup dried fruit - choose from any of the following: Raisins, Apricots, Peaches, Apples, Pitted Prunes, Craisins.
- Mix dried cereal and fruit together. For a treat, add a few chocolate chips.
For more information on nutrition management, contact your local health unit. For information on establishing toilet time and routine, contact the Children's Constipation Hotline at 1-888-336-8708.
Used with Permission. Anita Romaniw - Community Nutritionist for the Fraser Valley Health Region.
Further Reading: