What can you do at home if your child is constipated?

Constipation in babies is common. There can be many reasons, from temperature disturbances to congenital intestinal abnormalities. It is the responsibility of parents to consider the problem in a timely manner and take a series of actions to eliminate it. We will tell you in this article what to do if a 2-year-old child has constipation.

What to do when a 2 year old child is constipated? First of all, determine the general picture of the disease. It happens that, reassured by the fact that the baby’s stool is regular, the mother does not pay attention to the nature of the feces. Meanwhile, excessive dryness of stool is one of the symptoms of defecation disorders.

Causes of constipation

Intestinal problems in children usually appear due to improper diet and nutrition of the child or the mother who feeds him milk. It is also impossible to exclude congenital and acquired pathologies in the child.

Experts identify a number of reasons that cause constipation in children:

• Lack of water. This is the main cause of the problem;
• Intestinal dysbiosis. Often this pathology occurs due to previously suffered diseases. It appears due to toxicosis or the risk of miscarriage;
• Small intestinal motility. Constipation can occur in a child who eats foods that do not promote normal bowel function. Such products are liquid and crushed foods;
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• Physical inactivity and hypotension. Low physical activity always negatively affects the condition of the body. The gastrointestinal tract is no exception. Due to inactivity, the intestinal walls and muscles atrophy;
• Hypotrophy. A weak intestine is unable to move the substance;
• Taking medications. Sometimes constipation in a baby is caused by a large number of medications that help improve digestion;
• Clay infestations. This factor quite often causes constipation;
• Diseases. Various diseases of the intestines, as well as the rectum, can provoke constipation in a child;
• Side effect of medications. Various types of medications can cause defecation problems.

If constipation occurs regularly in a 2-year-old child, then it is necessary to identify the cause. This problem often occurs in children whose parents also suffer from constipation. Therefore, the cause of constipation may be a hereditary factor.

In addition, switching to artificial nutrition can cause problems. In some situations, constipation occurs due to psychological reasons. The body of small children reacts vividly to any changes in their environment and lifestyle, so there can be quite a few factors. The attending physician will need to determine the cause in order to select the correct treatment for a two-year-old child.

Significant reasons for concern

According to the medical reference book, constipation is difficult or delayed bowel movement. The degree of importance of the problem and options for treatment and assistance are largely determined by the age of the child.

We note right away that Hirschsprung’s disease may be a significant cause for concern; in this case, urgent and emergency care is important.

The disease is detected mainly in the first year of a baby’s life. The disease implies a lack of development of nerve cells in parts of the intestines and this is a consequence of constipation in children. Treatment is exclusively surgical and urgent; without surgery, the child is doomed. This disease is rare (1 case per 3-5 thousand babies born) .

Therefore, if a healthy two year old child is suffering from constipation, the chances of any congenital abnormalities are low, but always remain a vigilant parent and seek help from a doctor. Only he can identify the cause.

Constipation is not a disease, it is a temporary nuisance that signals a symptom of a real disease (cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hemorrhoids, etc.)

Types of constipation

Experts divide the problem of defecation into two classes: organic and functional.

The first characteristic includes disturbances in the shape of the colon, which appeared due to improper development of the child. Usually, in this case, constipation occurs from the very moment of birth.

Functional ones occur due to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.

What is psychological constipation?

Little people are very sensitive to life factors that are unpleasant for them.

There are many reasons:

1. weaning from breast or bottle;
2. weaning off pacifiers or diapers;
3. doctor visits;
4. reluctance to go to kindergarten.

All this can become a very common reason for violations of “going to the potty.”

A fairly common occurrence may be a rejection of the place where the process of defecation should take place, the baby does not like the potty or toilet, the smells and temperature in it.

When potty training, organize this ritual correctly, scolding or blaming the baby for soiled laundry, you risk failure. The baby remembers that he can be scolded for wrong actions and withdraws - such a negative experience is a frequent phenomenon that lies on the conscience of the parents.

Identification of violation

A two-year-old child should have a bowel movement every day. But don't worry if there is a delay in this process. You should pay attention to the child's condition. If the baby is in a good mood, has an excellent appetite and there are no behavioral abnormalities, then such a delay is normal. The child has his own rhythm and such behavior may be the norm for him. First of all, it is necessary to monitor the child’s mood.

Emptying a child's intestines should occur from 3 times a day to 3 times a week. This is quite normal if the child behaves as usual.

Constipation can be identified by the following signs:

• Evacuation does not occur for more than 24 hours (if other criteria are present);
• Weakness;
• Impaired appetite;
• The feces are dense;
• Pain in the abdominal area;
• Restless sleep;
• Bloating;
• Stool in small quantities and with bloody discharge;
• Nausea.

Symptoms of constipation in a 2 year old child

• Your baby should have bowel movements at least six times a week
• Complaints of abdominal pain. If the baby cannot speak yet, he cries and worries
• The act of defecation itself is accompanied by strong straining; you see that this process causes severe discomfort to the child
• The nature of the stool is atypical: either too dry and comes out in small fragments, or has a too dense structure
• The intestines are not completely emptied.

The presence of all these symptoms indicates that the baby has defecation problems. And if such symptoms do not go away for three months or more, the child has chronic constipation.

Danger of the problem

Parents should know what measures to take if their child experiences constipation. This problem should not be ignored, as it can cause consequences.

Defecation disorder is dangerous:

• Violation of the circulatory system;
• Intoxication;
• Decreased immunity;
• Gas formation;
• Mental problems;
• Stagnation in the intestines;
• Bowel cancer;

In addition, the accumulation of feces does not allow the mucous membrane to receive useful substances, provokes dysbiosis, the metabolic process is disrupted, and inflammatory processes occur in the intestines. Thus, constipation greatly harms the entire body, poisoning it and causing malfunctions of certain systems.

Consequences

Constant constipation causes chronic fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite. This is due to digestive disorders, intoxication, as well as active absorption of harmful components from stagnant feces. With constipation, peristalsis slows down and feces are retained. All this causes a change in the bacterial microflora of the intestine.

Pathogenic microflora begins to actively develop and release toxic substances. The accumulation of feces causes disturbances in the trophism of the intestinal mucosa. Chronic stool retention entails dysbiosis, in which the level of beneficial microorganisms decreases, while pathogens begin to become more active. This also affects the absorption of vitamins and microelements.

All this shapes the development of vitamin deficiency and anemia. Often, against the background of dysbacteriosis, inflammatory processes begin to develop. Feces stretch the intestinal walls, causing inflammation of the mucous membrane, increased gas formation, spastic pain, and impaired local circulation.

Severe constipation causes cracks in the rectum, bleeding from the anus, as well as pain that can lead to the development of neurological problems. Toxic substances from the intestines begin to be absorbed into the blood. Children with chronic constipation look weak, pale, and lethargic. The child sleeps poorly, loses weight, and becomes capricious.

Treatment options

If you notice signs of constipation in a 2-year-old child, know what to do. It is very important to take timely measures and contact a specialist. Problems with bowel movements can be caused by various reasons. Therefore, without professional diagnostics it will not be possible to identify the factor of occurrence.

To get rid of the problem, a specialist must select individual therapy. Only a doctor can choose a treatment method, taking into account all important factors.

The main therapeutic measures are:

• Adjusting the diet;
• Drinking regime;
• Physical exercise;
• Medications.

Herbal treatment

Decoctions of herbs and dried fruits are a good way to cope with intestinal problems.

If your baby is constipated, then you need to make dill water. And give a teaspoon every five to six hours during the day.

Dill water is prepared simply:

• put several sprigs of dill in a container (you can use dried ones);
• pour boiling water over it;
• let it brew for fifteen minutes;
• cool to room temperature.

You can add a little of this water to a drinking water bottle and feed your baby all day.

Fennel can be used instead of dill. The taste will be more aromatic, the child will be happy to drink this water.

Older children need to make a decoction of their dried apples or cherries; you can combine these two components.

1. Place three tablespoons of dried apples or cherries in boiling water (per liter of water).
2. Boil.
3. Remove from the stove and leave to brew.

Cool and give children a drink instead of water every time.

If none of the methods help, then you should urgently show the child to a doctor.

Children with constipation need to drink as much fluid as possible. But if you change the water to decoctions, the result will be more effective.

Complication

There are situations when, with childhood constipation, a child requires emergency assistance from specialists.

You should see a doctor as soon as possible if your child experiences:

• High temperature. Constipation can cause this symptom. However, it could also be a common cold;
• Vomiting and nausea. These signs indicate intoxication of the body. Also, with this symptom, the body quickly loses water;
• Blood in the stool. This factor is also inherent in other intestinal diseases;
• Pain in the abdominal area causes a characteristic sound;
• Loose stools pass out due to constipation.

One month old: constipation, how to help go to the toilet

When a baby is one month old, constipation can be caused by various reasons. At this age, the baby is just getting used to the world around him and his daily routine. The body's systems are just starting to work. There are not yet enough beneficial bacteria in the intestines to ensure complete digestion of milk.

Babies who “eat” their mother’s milk may also suffer from constipation. Perhaps the mother is not eating properly or the stool holding substances in her diet are deficient. For prevention, do not forget about the role of massage and “exercise” for babies. Is your baby bottle-fed? Perhaps the mixture did not fit or was introduced too quickly.

If the baby is one month old, constipation can be cured with massage. Don't press too hard. Run your fingers clockwise over your tummy. Then, imagine - your palms are brushes and gently sweep them left and right, from top to bottom. This needs to be done several times a day. Rectal suppositories for babies and syrups help. You can do an enema. But first, call your pediatrician, describe your symptoms and follow his recommendations.

First aid

If parents notice signs of constipation in their child, then they should know what measures need to be taken to help him. Glycerin suppositories are a good solution that will help the child. In addition, this product is safe for babies. They can be used from one year of age.

A cleansing enema can also help your child. To cope with constipation, you should carry out this procedure with cold water and glycerin. It is important to administer the enema correctly so that the process does not cause discomfort or harm to the child.

There are a number of tips that will allow you to give an enema correctly:

• Apply oil or cream to the tip for lubrication;
• The enema must be disinfected in advance;
• Do not use warm liquid. Such water will be quickly absorbed into the intestines and introduce toxins into the body. Experts advise using only cool water. Its temperature should be below room temperature;
• Carefully monitor the amount of water. If there is more fluid than needed, the child’s intestines will stretch during the procedure. Because of this, the baby will feel pain. Experts recommend using 200 ml of water for two-year-old children, and 300 ml for children aged 2 to 6 years.

You should know that you should not resort to this procedure often. It is important to realize that an enema provides temporary relief. This measure does not have a therapeutic effect. Only a specialist can prescribe therapeutic measures. Thus, after the enema, it is necessary to send the child to the doctor.

Colon cleansing enema

An enema is used for persistent constipation, when simple remedies cannot cope with the problem. To remove toxic residues from the intestines, you need to do a salt, oil or glycerin enema. A chamomile decoction is more suitable for a child.

There are a number of rules that must be followed when using enemas:

• the liquid temperature should be from 25 to 27 degrees;
• For babies up to one year old, 30 ml of liquid is enough, for those who have reached a year, about 180, for two years old - 250, for six-year-old children - about 300.

Make a chamomile decoction in advance. For a glass of boiling water - a tablespoon of dried and crushed plant. Brew and let steep for about half an hour. The enema must be administered very carefully, especially for infants.

1. Carry out the procedure with a small rubber syringe (immediately pay attention that the tip is made of soft rubber).
2. Lubricate the anal area with baby cream or special oil, you can use Vaseline.
3. Squeeze the syringe and draw chamomile solution.
4. Lubricate the tip generously with baby cream.
5. Release the air from the syringe (to do this, press on it until liquid appears at the tip).
6. Place the baby on his back, bend his knees slightly, and carefully spread his buttocks.
7. It is easy (without sudden movements) to insert the tip, about two centimeters into the anus.
8. Introduce carefully, press the syringe and at the same time make sure that all the solution gets into the intestines.
9. Squeeze your buttocks with your left hand, and carefully remove the syringe with your right hand.
10. Hold the buttocks for several minutes, the liquid should penetrate into the stool.
11. Release your hand and defecation should begin immediately.
12. Wash the child, lubricate the anus area again with baby cream.

Enemas for older children are given according to the same rule, only a rubber balloon is used instead of a syringe.

Cleaning procedures should not be carried out frequently. Otherwise, addiction is possible. Everything must be done to ensure that bowel movements are natural, this is especially important for children.

Diet

An important measure in the fight against constipation in children is a proper diet. It is impossible to cure defecation disorder without proper nutrition. Let's find out how to feed a child.

Experts recommend that parents:

• Give preference to pureed fruits and vegetables. Such food is rich in healthy acids and fiber. These components have a positive effect on intestinal motility. Older children are allowed to give stewed, boiled or raw foods.
• The child needs to eat fruits and vegetables with the skin on. This part contains many useful components.
• Salads should be made with vegetable oil. It is necessary to exclude the use of sour cream, mayonnaise, and fatty sauces. These products cause intestinal function to stop.
• Fermented milk products will bring many benefits to your child. They are able to cope with defecation disorders.
• The child should consume plenty of fluids.
• Porridges made from whole grains have a positive effect.
• Bran and whole grain breads help improve intestinal permeability.
• Eliminate fatty, spicy and fried foods from your child’s diet. In addition, it is recommended to reduce the amount of consumption of potatoes, pasta, rice and semolina.

Prevention

In order for constipation to occur as rarely as possible, a special laxative food is needed for the child. The diet should consist of fruits, vegetables and other plant foods. For preparing dishes, it is advisable to use flour and wholemeal, as well as bran. The baby must take the right amount of fluid.

A child who suffers from frequent constipation should be more active. The task of parents is to provide the baby with frequent walks in the fresh air and give the baby the opportunity to frolic to his heart's content.

In order to promptly cope with constipation in a two-year-old child, you must follow all the doctor’s instructions. This condition should not be ignored, as frequent constipation has negative consequences.

Therapeutic exercises

If a child is constipated, one should not forget about the baby’s physical activity. He needs to move all the time he is awake.

There are several simple exercises that will benefit your child:

• Squats;
• Tilts;
• Bending your knees to your chest;
• Swing your legs;
• Raising the body.

These exercises can be offered to your child as a game. For example, squats and bends can be performed if the child picks up objects from the floor.

Main symptoms

Each disease has a specific clinical picture and manifestations, so if other symptoms accompany constipation, you should consult a doctor. Timely detection of the problem will allow you to get rid of it in the early stages, without exhausting the child and the parents’ wallet.

If the following symptoms are observed with constipation in children 2 years of age, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible:

• Severe abdominal pain;
• Increased body temperature;
• Fecal retention for more than 3 days;
• Nausea;
• Vomit;
• Diarrhea after constipation;
• Flatulence;
• Lack of intestinal gases;
• Bleeding from the anus (can be seen on the walls of pots, in stool, toilet paper or the child’s underwear);
• Dizziness or loss of consciousness;

• 
  Convulsions;

• General serious condition of the child.

Frequent and prolonged constipation is dangerous due to the development of persistent fecal intoxication, in which all tissues of the body are damaged, which is usually manifested by an unexplained high body temperature, deterioration of the condition of the skin and hair, and sudden apathy of the child.

Gradually, anemia may develop (decrease in hemoglobin and/or red blood cells), which is manifested by pallor of the skin and weakness of the child. He begins to lose weight, eats worse, and often develops a pustular rash.

Chronic constipation is also dangerous due to subsequent disruption of the innervation of the muscles of the final sections of the gastrointestinal tract. The child develops fecal incontinence and may develop rectal prolapse.

Medications

It is forbidden to resort to choosing funds on your own. The specialist must prescribe the medicine, taking into account all the factors of the case. Otherwise, allergic reactions and other problems may occur. Parents should be aware that frequent use of laxatives can also cause allergies. The most dangerous use is without consulting a doctor. There is also the possibility of addiction.

Therefore, parents should find out from a specialist what medications they should give to their child.

Doctors usually prescribe complex treatment:

1. Laxatives. This group includes syrups, suppositories, and suppositories.
2. Prokinetics. Motilium and Domperidone are often prescribed.
3. Fermets. Mezim, Panzinorm and Creon are used here.
4. Probiotics. Experts prescribe Linex, Hilak Forte, etc.

Important! It is prohibited to use any medications without a doctor’s recommendation. Incorrect treatment can harm the baby. A specialist will be able to choose the right remedy, taking into account all the features of a particular case.

A child has constipation: what to do and how to treat it

Do not rush to give pills and other medications, this may worsen the condition. Some drugs cause severe cramps in the intestines. So try natural and affordable options first.

Foods with laxative effect:

• Bread with butter, rye or bran;
• Fruits: plums, apricots,
• Vegetables are rich in fiber;
• Oatmeal or buckwheat porridge;
• Muesli;
• Fish fat;
• Meat;
• Dried fruits, which can be served in the form of puree or compote. Prunes work especially well.
• Fermented milk products: kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, kumiss, sour cream with cottage cheese.

In addition to juices and other drinks, the body requires pure water. Do not forget that each age has its own daily need for water. How much should your child drink in this article. Be careful with exercise for constipation, which is often recommended online. They can harm, injure the intestines, and lead to severe cramps. For example, a child cannot have a bowel movement for several days and is bloated. You can massage, but gently, without pressing on the stomach.

Advice from Doctor Komarovsky on how to treat constipation in children.

Enema for children with constipation

The classic method is an enema for children, which really helps with constipation. They resort to it if the options above could not help or the child has been suffering for a long time. Depending on the type of enema, the result will occur within a few hours or in the morning if the procedure took place in the evening. Enema liquid for children with constipation should be heated to 30-38 degrees.

What is used for enemas:

• Glycerin 5-10 ml.
• Vegetable oil: sea buckthorn, sunflower, rosehip. Dose 30-150 ml, depending on the age of the child.
• Saline solution is used for hypertonic enema. You need to dilute 10 g of salt in 100 ml of boiled water. Wait for it to cool down to body temperature. 30 ml is enough for one procedure. It is usually performed by doctors in a clinical setting.
• Medicines. Consult with a specialist in advance which drug and in what dosage is suitable for your baby.

When selecting remedies, you need to take into account the accompanying symptoms. Does the child have colic, bloating, spasms, increased flatulence (gas production).

Prepare:

• Oilcloth is laid under the child so as not to stain the bed. Some of the liquid may begin to leak out.
• Diaper or towel.
• A syringe is a rubber pear-shaped vessel with an oblong tip. The volume of the syringe is selected according to the age of the child. It is used to treat children from infancy to 5 years.
• Esmarch's irrigator. The container is shaped like a heating pad with a rubber outlet for insertion into the anus. This vessel is larger in volume than a syringe (up to 2 liters) and is therefore suitable for children over 5 years old.
• The potty should be in close proximity to the child. The urge to go to the toilet can be sudden, and the child may not have time to reach the toilet.

Enema volume table by age

ethnoscience

Small children experiencing constipation can be helped by folk recipes that have been used for a long time and have shown their effectiveness. Unconventional methods have a mild effect on the child’s body. But it is necessary to take into account the condition of the intestines when choosing a remedy. Thus, you should again choose a prescription with a specialist so that the treatment does not aggravate the situation.

If a child experiences regular constipation, along with flatulence, then chamomile infusion will help in this situation. In addition, an infusion of yarrow and nettle will also have a positive effect. Berries will benefit a child with constipation.

There are several more common recipes:

• Prunes have a positive effect on the intestines. It can be given to your child in the form of puree or juice. The juice must be diluted with water in equal proportions;
• Bran helps defecation. They can be added to your baby's regular food;
• Carrot juice will help relieve constipation. However, it is important to give your child only fresh product. It should be consumed before meals. In this case, positive action will take place;
• Cucumber puree improves intestinal permeability. It should be eaten before the main meal;
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• There is one proven recipe for constipation in children. You should take equal amount of chamomile, dill seeds and add twice as much cumin. A tablespoon of this mixture is poured with half a liter of boiling water and left for 2 hours. You need to take this medicine one tablespoon three times a day before meals;
• Flax oil has a positive effect on intestinal function. On an empty stomach you need to drink a teaspoon of this liquid. You can also add honey to this oil. Then the components are mixed. This remedy should be added to yogurt and consumed before bed.

How to deal with constipation?

The most important conditions affecting the normal, uninterrupted functioning of the intestines are:

1. Replenishing the body with sufficient fluid;
2. Providing him with a sufficient amount of potassium;

By losing, but not replacing, a large amount of water and salts, the work of intestinal juices slows down, intestinal contractions lose activity, resulting in constipation. A large amount of liquid and foods rich in potassium will help normalize stool: prunes, raisins, dried apricots. It’s not for nothing that dried fruit compote is so popular among kids.

A balanced and proper diet for two-year-old children should include foods containing fiber : all non-allergic vegetables and fruits, grains and legumes.

Children's diet should be limited to foods containing protein:

• chocolate;
• milk;
• nuts;
• butter;
• dairy products.

This is talking about primary and preventive care, but regarding medication and how to treat it, trust your pediatrician in this matter and do not self-medicate.

But for general development, know that the most ideal and safe remedy for constipation is lactulose (drugs Duphalac, Lizalak, etc.), it has no contraindications for age, so it is perfect for two-year-old children.

Constipation can be cured if you approach this problem comprehensively, as with any disease. Consultation is necessary and can be obtained not only from a pediatrician, but from specialized specialists who will prescribe examinations or appropriate tests. And the list of medications will not be limited to lactulose alone; other remedies for constipation are mostly well known to everyone: glycerin suppositories, laxatives, probiotics and enzymes.

An enema for a child with constipation can also help, but sometimes the children themselves do not take it. Not only the baby, but also the mother performing it should be prepared for this procedure. The water for the enema should be boiled and at room temperature, you will also need an Esmarch mug, a pear and Vaseline.

Be sure to explain to the child what you will do, do not rush and do not panic:

1. The child should lie on his side with his knees bent to his chest;
2. Gently insert the tip of Esmarch's mug, lubricated with Vaseline, into the baby's anus;
3. Introduce approximately 50-100 ml of liquid inside, after a while ask the child to go to the potty;

Video:

But, on the recommendation of the country’s famous and experienced pediatrician, Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky, before giving an enema, use glycerin suppositories, an affordable and safe remedy for constipation in a two-year-old child. And you should not give or experiment with laxatives.

Daily regime

It is necessary to accustom a child from an early age to the correct lifestyle. If you follow a routine and healthy diet for your baby, then regular constipation will be quite easy to get rid of. Typically, by the age of three, bowel movements return to normal.

It is necessary to develop the habit of going to the toilet at the same time every day. The morning period is the best time to empty the intestines. This measure will benefit the baby’s physiology and psychology. You should also drink a cup of water after waking up. This measure will have a positive effect on bowel function and will make it easier to cope with defecation disorders.

Remember that constipation in a child can be eliminated quite easily if appropriate measures were taken in a timely manner and the parents followed all the rules and instructions of the doctor. Do not forget that this disorder causes many problems in the body, so this problem cannot be ignored.

Directions of treatment

Treatment of constipation at home in children two years old should be comprehensive. It includes compliance with recommendations for the child’s nutrition and physical activity, routine activities, as well as the use of medications strictly as prescribed by the doctor.

If the cause of constipation is determined, it is necessary to get rid of it. What to do if surgery is required? First of all, do not be afraid, but approach this issue sensibly, having carefully studied the problem. Delaying the inevitable will only cause more harm to the child’s health.

Nutrition

It is at the age of two that the final change in the child’s nutritional pattern occurs. He no longer needs milk in such quantities, so its abundance in the diet is fraught with digestive disorders.

The transit time of contents through the intestines in children at 2 years of age exceeds that in adults (associated with the ratio of the length of the gastrointestinal tract and body size). This is why food with a high concentration of protein and fat takes longer to digest - which means there should not be so much of it in the diet.

The child must be fed at the same time every day (4-5 times) in small portions.

Such a regime will allow you to develop eating habits, according to which the act of defecation will occur with the same regularity.

In the morning after your child wakes up, give him some water to drink.

This procedure will help not only him, but the entire body to wake up faster. The last meal should be no later than 1.5-2 hours before going to bed.

It is important that the child consumes enough vegetables, fruits and grains, which contain indigestible plant fiber.

It affects the intestinal mucosa, irritating it, which increases peristaltic contraction.

Gradually eliminate overly processed foods from your diet. By this age, a child should already have a sufficient number of baby teeth, so he needs to learn to chew food on his own.

The use of diapers at this age is no longer acceptable. But you also need to gently potty train your child so that he does not develop fear of this process.

Every day, the child should eat first courses and a sufficient amount of liquid, especially in the summer, when there is a risk of dehydration.

Uncontrolled consumption of confectionery products, fatty foods, carbonated drinks, sandwiches, rice and potatoes should be limited.

Food is best boiled or steamed. In this case, vegetable oils are used, not animal oils. You can give your child food that has a laxative effect - various dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots, raisins), rosehip decoction, diluted beet juice, fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, natural yoghurts).

Medicines

The use of medications at home should only occur after consultation with a pediatrician. However, it should be remembered that laxatives are quickly addictive and contribute to disruption of the formation of the correct defecation reflex, so their use is possible only in acute cases.

The following remedies have the fastest action:

• Glycerin suppositories. They are a fairly safe remedy from almost the first months of life, so they are quite well tolerated by children. The child is placed on his left side, the legs are bent at the knee joints, slightly leading to the stomach, and the suppository is carefully inserted. After the procedure, it is better to cover it with a blanket and hold it slightly in this position, allowing the product to completely dissolve.
• Microlax. The product, which works within the first 15 minutes, works like an enema, but does not require lengthy preparation or special skills in administration. The soft tip is inserted 1.5-2 cm into the rectum, after which the drug itself is inserted.
• "Dufalak" (contains lactulose) is used orally in the form of special solutions, subsequently softening feces. This allows the act of defecation to pass smoothly and painlessly. • Probiotics - “Linex”, “Hilak forte”, “Bifidumbacterin” - are used for a long time. Its action is associated with the normalization of digestion by stabilizing the ratio of normal “own” intestinal microorganisms.

If laxatives do not bring the desired effect, you should immediately contact a medical facility.

Physical activity

Children as young as 2 years of age are often incorrectly labeled as hyperactive when this should be completely normal. In no case should you limit the child’s desire to constantly move, because this has a close connection with intestinal motility.

The main achievement of this age is the ability to walk with the gradual acquisition of speech. It is a long stay in an upright position that determines most physiological changes and the correct development of the child.

To streamline his movement a little, you can gradually begin to accustom him to daily exercise at home by doing the following basic exercises:

• Walking in circles, lines;
• Run;
• Squats;
• Tilts;
• Swing your legs;
• Various exercises while lying on your back and stomach.

Children really like it when this happens to rhythmic music, clapping or counting. It is also possible to conduct such activities in the form of games with balls, sticks or soft cubes.

After eating food, you should rest for 15-30 minutes so as not to put additional stress on the intestines. At this time, the parent can stroke the child’s belly - such a simple massage will have a positive effect.

Therapeutic measures

Treatment of constipation in a child begins with a physical examination by a doctor. First of all, he conducts a thorough diagnostic examination, the results of which help to identify the true cause of the pathology. Based on them, the necessary diet is prescribed and the most suitable medication is taken, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the provocateur that is progressing in the body.

Pharmacological agents

If necessary, the doctor prescribes laxatives for children, which must be selected individually for children 2 years old. This is due to the fact that such medications can cause dependence or adverse side effects (allergic reaction, stomach upset, vomiting, etc.). Also, doctors do not recommend using these medications for more than 14 days.

For constipation in a 2-year-old child, the following medications are suitable:

1. Dufelac and its analogues are safe laxatives that contain lactulose to increase the amount of feces and stimulate bowel function. Initially, 5 ml of pharmacological syrup is used, and then the dosage gradually becomes larger;
2. Domperodine - improves intestinal motility, tones, eliminates spasms and pain in it. Give the child this medicine in the form of syrup three times a day;

3. 
   No-shpa, Papaverine and Krasavka (in the form of rectal suppositories) are antispasmodic drugs that stabilize the gastrointestinal tract and eliminate the symptoms of “irritable bowel”. These medications are used for 7-11 days;

4. Hofitol is a herbal laxative for children, the action of which is aimed at accelerating the production of bile and secretory fluids of the pancreas. After taking this drug, the stomach begins to better absorb and process food, quickly removing it from the body;
5. Hilak Forte, Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Baktisubtil are probiotics that have a minimum number of contraindications. They help improve the state of microflora in the intestines and eliminate the manifestation of dysbiosis. At the age of two, you need to take 4 capsules per day.

Treatment with pharmacological medications should be carried out under the supervision of a medical specialist. At the first manifestations of side effects and the child’s condition worsening, immediately go to the hospital for qualified assistance.

Traditional medicine recipes

The second, no less effective method of therapy for constipation is the use of old and proven “grandmother’s” recipes. Proper preparation of a folk laxative helps to rapidly improve the performance of the stomach and the state of its microflora, as well as restore normal patency in the intestines.

The most common and safe recipes for children:

• Wheat bran (20-50g) and chopped seaweed (1-2 teaspoons) are mixed and taken once a day. Methods of use may be different: the resulting mixture can be added to food or simply given to the child from a spoon, washed down with plenty of water. As a result of contact with liquid, the ingredients swell and increase the volume of feces, which facilitates their rapid removal from the baby’s body;
• Wash and peel a fresh apple, grate it on a fine grater. Add a few drops of natural sunflower oil and, if necessary, a couple of teaspoons of honey to the resulting mass. For 7 days, give the baby a small amount of the mixture 3 times a day;
• Sena leaves (one tablespoon) are poured into one glass of boiled water and infused throughout the night (8-10 hours). Then the contents of the container are filtered and given 1 tbsp. l. for a child with constipation 3 times a day. The infusion has laxative properties, improves intestinal permeability and does not provoke spasms;
• One tablespoon of raisins is poured with boiled water and infused for three hours in a dark room. Next, strain the resulting infusion and give 3 tbsp. l per day;
• Rosehip leaves or juice from the flower itself are mixed with clean, filtered water and mixed thoroughly. Give the resulting product in a small amount three times a day;
• Grinded in a blender and thoroughly washed, prunes are mixed in a 1:1 ratio with boiled water. Give the resulting mixture two teaspoons to the child before bedtime;
• Peel a fresh and clean cucumber and grate it on a fine grater. Use 2 tsp. twice a day. Using vegetables makes it possible to quickly digest the foods you consume and remove them from the body.

The possibility of treating intestinal obstruction with folk remedies must be discussed with your doctor.

Sometimes problems with the bowel movement indicate the progression of serious diseases that adversely affect the general health of the child and cause the development of dangerous consequences. That is why the use of “grandmother’s” methods can only eliminate symptoms without improving the child’s condition as a whole.

In addition to using pharmacological and folk laxatives, medical experts recommend giving your baby a daily abdominal massage. You need to gently, without increased pressure, massage it clockwise for 5 minutes. This event helps improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and restores the process of bowel movements.