What non-pharmaceutical measures can parents take when children are constipated?

Pediatric constipation is a problem that parents often encounter, which may cause discomfort and even affect their appetite and emotions. When children become constipated, parents need not be too nervous, as there are many non-pharmaceutical measures that can be taken to alleviate the symptoms. The following are detailed methods and recommendations to help parents better cope with the problem of paediatric constipation.

I. The adjustment of the diet structure is an important part of the alleviation of paediatric constipation. Parents should ensure that their children receive enough water per day and recommend that the daily amount of drinking water be between 1.5 and 2 litres, so that the amount of water in the excreta can be increased and the excrement can be softened and easily released. In addition, high-fibrous food is essential, such as fruit such as strawberry, pears, apples, bananas, oranges, and vegetables such as peas, blue flowers, wheat, quills, oats and cereals. Dietary fibres can change the nature of faeces and promote intestinal creeping, thus mitigating constipation symptoms. During the addition phase, parents can gradually introduce fibre-rich foods, such as vegetable mud, fruit mud, etc., while avoiding overloading in order to prevent children from adapting. For children who are already able to feed on their own, parents can encourage them to eat more vegetables and fruit and reduce the intake of high sugar and fat.

2. Motivated sport is also important for the mitigation of paediatric constipation. Motion increases the activity of intestinal muscles and enhances the movement function of the gastrointestinal tract. Parents can encourage more outdoor exercise, such as jogging, radio gymnastics, swimming, etc. These campaigns not only help to improve constipation, but also improve the physical quality of children and their immunity. For younger children, parents can push and roll more when they are awake, and these simple activities also help to promote intestinal creeping. At the same time, parents can engage in parent-child games with their children, such as hide-and-seek, dance, etc., so that the children can exercise in the game.

Abdominal massage is a simple and effective method of abdominal defecation. Parents can put their hands down, flatten their children ‘ s umbilical cords and then gently push them in the direction of a clockwise. This accelerates intestinal creeping, promotes defecation and helps digestion. In the case of massages, parents must be careful not to cause discomfort to their children. The abdominal massage can take place one hour before the child’s sleep or after the meal and lasts 5~10 minutes at a time. Through continuous massage, parents can gradually help children to establish regular defecation habits.

The establishment of good defecation habits and the establishment of good defecation habits are equally important for the alleviation of paediatric constipation. Parents may require their children to go to the toilet at regular intervals every day, to concentrate as much as possible on defecation and to control the body so that it does not become distracted. This contributes to the development of a physical reflection of defecation and to the gradual development of regular defecation habits for children. Parents must be patient in guiding their children while they are in toilet training, so as not to put undue pressure on them. If the child is unwilling to cooperate, the parent may suspend the training until the child’s emotional situation is stabilized. At the same time, parents are encouraged to keep their children healthy after defecation and to clean their anus and hands in a timely manner.

Psychiatry and encouragement is also one of the important measures to alleviate the hygiene of children. Parents are concerned with the emotional changes of their children and are encouraged to do so in a timely manner. When a child is able to defecate successfully, parents can give credit and incentives to increase self-confidence and motivation. In addition, parents can work with their children to develop a defecation programme and involve them in the process. Through joint participation and efforts, children can gradually develop the right understanding and habits of defecation.

In the context of non-pharmaceutical measures to alleviate the constipation of children, parents need to take note of the following: 2. If the child ‘ s constipation condition continues to improve or is accompanied by other symptoms (e.g. abdominal pain, consanguinic blood, etc.), the medical doctor ‘ s opinion shall be consulted in a timely manner. 3. In adjusting the diet and increasing the amount of exercise, there should be a gradual process to avoid excessive one-time changes in order to avoid children ‘ s incompatibilities. In short, constipation is an issue that requires parental patience and care. Through non-pharmaceutical measures such as adjusting the diet, appropriate exercise, abdominal massage, establishing good defecation habits, and psychological comfort and encouragement, parents can effectively alleviate the child ‘ s constipation symptoms and help the child to develop well.