About this topic
Constipation is a problem that makes it harder to have bowel movements. It happens when your child has a bowel movement fewer than 3 times a week, or less often than they usually do. Stools may be hard, dry, and large in size. Your child may have pain when passing stools. Most of the time, constipation is just for a short time. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Have your child drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids each day.
- Set a regular schedule for your child to pass stools.
- Tell your child to move the bowels as soon as your child feels the urge.
- Sitting in a warm bath may help your child relax and feel like having a bowel movement. Never leave your child alone in the bath tub.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help your child move the bowels
- Soften stools, like mineral oils
Will physical activity be limited?
Your childs activity will not be limited. Help your child to stay physically active. This may help treat hard stools. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Give your child high fiber foods. These include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Limit sugary, fatty, and starchy foods.
- Ask the doctor if it is OK to add apple or prune juice to your babys diet.
What problems could happen?
- Pain when passing stool
- Your child may feel uneasy and irritable
- Tears around the skin of the anus
- Hard stools may pack the large bowels very tightly. If this happens, the normal pushing action of the bowels is not enough to remove the stool. This is called fecal impaction.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Your child has hard stools for longer than 2 weeks or no stools for 1 week
- Your child has fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, or is throwing up
- There is blood in the stool
- Your child is not eating or drinking
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my child's diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has hard stools for longer than 2 weeks or no stools for 1 week.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/constipation.printerview.all.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/sheets/constipation_sheet.html ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/constipation.html# ‚
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipationchild/#doctor ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚