In babies, bowel problems can very often occur. After all, their body is just being formed. But besides the main problem, there is one more. The baby cannot explain to his parents what is bothering him. Therefore, you should be extremely careful in order to recognize the symptoms in time, which characterizes constipation in a child (2 years). And it is important to know how to help the baby.
Causes of constipation
Violation of bowel movements in babies is most often provoked by an improper diet of a baby or a nursing mother.
Doctors distinguish the following causes of constipation in children 2 years old:
- Inadequate fluid intake. This is one of the main sources of pathology.
- Intestinal dysbiosis. Often this ailment is a consequence of illnesses transferred during pregnancy. May develop as a result of toxicosis or the threat of miscarriage.
- Reduced intestinal motility. Pathology occurs in children who eat food that does not ensure the active functioning of the digestive tract. Such dishes include liquid cereals, chopped food.
- Hypodynamia, hypotension. Inactivity adversely affects all body systems. The digestive tract also suffers from it. As a result of low activity, intestinal walls and muscles can atrophy.
- Hypotrophy. Weak intestinal walls are not able to push through the accumulated feces.
- The abundance of medicines. Often, constipation in a child (2 years) is provoked by the uncontrolled intake of drugs aimed at improving the process of defecation or digestion.
- Helminthic infestations. A common cause of broken stools.
- Diseases Gastritis, diabetes, thyroid pathology, and ulcers can lead to constipation. Cracks in the rectum or hemorrhoids are capable of breaking the stool in a child.
- Adverse drug reactions. The use of certain medications can lead to an unpleasant state. Constipation occurs after taking drugs: antihypertensives, antihistamines, antidepressants, codeine, diuretics, antibiotics.
If constant constipation is observed in a child (2 years), then it is very important to establish the true cause of this phenomenon. Often a similar picture is characteristic of those crumbs in which parents suffer from a violation of bowel movement. Therefore, the hereditary factor cannot be ruled out.
Provoke a problem can transfer the baby to artificial feeding. Sometimes there is psychological constipation in a child of 2 years. After all, the baby is very susceptible to the effects of various factors. This condition can be based on excommunication, a first visit to a nursery, refusal from diapers and accustoming to the pot.
How to identify a problem
A two year old baby should empty his bowels daily. However, one should not panic if this does not happen. Doctors recommend observing the crumbs. If the child is in a good mood, he plays, laughs, and when it comes time to eat, he completely empties the plate, is it worth suspecting constipation? After eating, the baby falls asleep and wakes up in a great mood.
Pediatricians say that in such a situation, even if the baby does not empty the intestines for the second day, there is no reason for panic. Each baby has its own rhythm. Therefore, initially you should focus on the well-being of the child.
In pediatrics, the following standard has been adopted. The process of bowel movement can occur from 3 times a day to 3 times a week. At the same time, the baby does not feel discomfort, and bowel movement is easy. This is a physiological norm.
How to determine constipation in a child of 2 years?
The following symptoms indicate the problem:
- lack of bowel movement for 1 day (when combined with other symptoms);
- weakness, lethargy;
- decreased appetite;
- feces have a dense texture;
- abdominal pain;
- disturbed sleep;
- bloating;
- a small amount of feces;
- restlessness, crying;
- stool with blood streaks;
- nausea.
What is the pathology dangerous?
Parents just need to know if a child has constipated (2 years) what to do in this situation. Since such a problem can provoke quite negative consequences.
The accumulation of feces in the body can lead to:
- circulatory disturbance;
- intoxication of the body;
- cracks in the intestine and hemorrhoids;
- lack of nutrients, as a result of which immunity is reduced, anemia appears;
- mucosal inflammation;
- increased gas formation;
- the development of a neurological problem (the baby begins to fear the process of defecation);
- intestinal obstruction;
- bowel cancer.
Treatment methods
So, if you suspect constipation in a child (2 years), what to do in this situation? The best decision is to seek help from a pediatrician. After all, the source of this problem can be a variety of pathologies. Without diagnosis, it is extremely difficult to detect disease.
In addition, individual therapy is selected for the treatment of the child. Only a doctor can adequately take into account all factors: the causes of the disease, the severity of the condition, age, concomitant diseases, psychological characteristics of the crumbs.
The main directions of therapy:
- diet food;
- drinking regimen;
- gymnastics;
- drug treatment.
Anxiety symptoms
It should be understood that there are situations when constipation in a child (2 years old or less is not so important) needs emergency medical assistance.
Symptoms accompanying constipation require immediate medical attention:
- Hyperthermia . You can not exclude the usual cold. However, an increase in temperature can be triggered by fecal intoxication. Only a doctor can determine the true cause of hyperthermia.
- Vomiting This is one of the signs of increasing intoxication. In addition, it is dangerous by rapid dehydration.
- Streaks of blood. They may indicate hemorrhoids, cracks, or other pathologies. Correctly diagnose pathology can only a physician.
- Abdominal pain is accompanied by a characteristic "gurgle."
- Liquid stool seeps through constipation.
First aid
If the baby has an empty bowel, the parents should help the baby. One of the effective methods is the use of glycerin suppositories. They are considered completely safe for the baby. In addition, they are allowed to be used even for one-year-old children.
Another excellent method that can quickly help is a cleansing enema for a child (2 years). In case of constipation, it is recommended to add a little glycerin to a glass of boiled cool water.
In order not to hurt the baby and not harm his health, this procedure should be performed correctly.
The following tips make it easier to set up an enema:
- The tip is necessarily lubricated with oil or cream.
- The pear must be sanitized.
- Do not use warm water. Such a liquid is quickly absorbed into the intestines and will draw toxins along with it. Doctors strongly recommend using cool water. Fluid temperature should be slightly below room temperature.
- Be sure to control the amount of fluid that flows into the children's body. A large amount of water can cause intestinal distension. This will hurt the baby. Doctors advise infants 1-2 years old to administer 200-250 ml of water. For children from 2 years old to 6, the fluid volume increases to 300 ml.
However, this method should not be abused. Parents should understand that setting an enema provides a laxative temporary effect. A treatment for constipation in a 2-year-old child can only be prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, after this procedure, the baby should definitely be shown to the pediatrician.
Diet food
One of the most important roles in the treatment of constipation is proper nutrition. It is impossible to eliminate broken stools without following a diet. So, what to give the child with constipation for 2 years?
Doctors give the following recommendations:
- Vegetable, fruit purees are preferred. Such foods are rich in acids and fiber. They perfectly improve intestinal motility. Older children can give vegetables, fruits in the usual form, or stewed, boiled. Useful: carrots, beets, cabbage, pumpkin, zucchini, plums.
- The child should eat fruit with a peel. After all, it contains a large number of necessary substances.
- Salads should be seasoned with vegetable oil. Not suitable at all: sour cream, fatty sauces and mayonnaise. Such foods stop the bowels from working.
- Sour milk products will provide a beneficial effect. When constipation is especially useful: kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk.
- The child should drink plenty of fluids. Fruit drinks, plain water, fruit drinks, juices are introduced into the diet.
- Useful for the baby porridge made from whole grains: buckwheat, millet, corn, wheat.
- To stimulate intestinal patency, it is recommended to use bran, whole grain bread.
- You should not give your baby fried and fatty dishes. Prohibited onions, smoked meats, garlic, white bread, radishes. It is advisable to limit the intake of pasta, potatoes, semolina, rice porridge.
Physiotherapy
If constipation is observed in a child (2 years), then it is important to ensure crumb physical mobility. At the same time, the baby should actively move throughout the day.
Simple exercises can improve intestinal motility:
- Squats
- slopes
- bending the knees to the tummy;
- swinging legs (straight and bent);
- press development.
Such gymnastics can be turned into an outdoor game. This is especially liked by the kids. For example, instead of the usual squats or bends, you can ask the baby to collect buttons scattered on the floor. In this case, put the condition that you should bring one at a time.
Massage - Effective Help
This is a great procedure. However, it can bring a beneficial effect if the pathology is not in a neglected state. Such treatment of constipation in a 2-year-old child promotes easier promotion of food along the digestive tract, activates the intestines.
Massage is easy enough. It is recommended in a circular motion to lightly stroke the baby’s tummy clockwise.
Drug treatment
You should not resort to drug therapy on your own. Only a doctor can recommend the preparations necessary for the baby. Parents should be aware that frequent use of laxatives (especially without first consulting a doctor) can lead to the development of unpleasant symptoms, such as a disorder, allergic reactions. In addition, the child may become addicted to the use of such funds.
Therefore, ask the question: "How to treat constipation in a child of 2 years?" parents should only be attending doctor.
As a rule, doctors prescribe complex therapy:
- Laxative medicines. Kids can be prescribed drugs: "Dufalac" (syrup), glycerin suppositories, sea buckthorn suppositories.
- Prokinetics. Often, crumbs are recommended drugs "Motilium", "Domperidone."
- Enzymes. To improve the digestive process, Mezim, Panzinorm, and Creon medicines can be prescribed.
- Probiotics To restore the microflora in the children's body, the doctor will recommend the preparations Bifidumbacterin, Acipol, Hilak Forte, Lineks.
However, it is extremely important not to resort to such therapy without a doctor’s appointment.
Folk recipes
Simple, time-tested methods can help if constipation is observed in children 2 years old. Folk remedies quite effectively and gently affect the body of the child. However, when selecting the necessary funds, bowel tone should be considered. Therefore, it is best to discuss the use of alternative recipes with your doctor.
With spastic constipation, accompanied by bloating, chamomile infusion will help. In case of atony, the doctor will recommend brewing yarrow, nettle. Berries: lingonberry, gooseberry will provide an excellent effect.
The following popular recipes are popular and effective:
- Perfectly eliminates constipation prunes introduced into the diet of crumbs. It is used in the form of mashed potatoes or juice. However, the latter should be given to the baby only in dilute form (1: 1).
- Perfectly soften the bran chair. It is recommended to add them to yogurt, cereals.
- Carrot juice will bring a beneficial effect. It is recommended to give drink only a freshly squeezed drink. In order for it to benefit, it is necessary to consume juice before meals.
- Cucumber puree will help to cope with the unpleasant state. It is also recommended to be taken before meals.
- Allows you to adjust the stool in children is another effective tool. For its manufacture it is necessary to take cumin, chamomile flowers and dill seeds in the following ratio: 2: 1: 1. This composition will need 1 tbsp. a spoon. It is poured with boiling water - 0.5 l. The composition should be infused for 2 hours. It is recommended to take this tool in the amount of 1 teaspoon three times a day, 15 minutes before meals.
- Flaxseed oil will benefit. It can be used on an empty stomach for a small spoon. Quite effective and another tool. It is recommended to mix equal amounts of honey and linseed oil. This mixture should be mixed thoroughly. This medicine is added to natural yogurt. The baby should drink it before bedtime.
Daily regime
It is important from childhood to accustom a child to the correct routine. If you do not ignore the daily routine and establish proper nutrition, then the tendency to constipation is easily eliminated in a two-year-old crumb. As a rule, by 3 years the defecation process in this case is fully stabilized.
Parents should form the habit of "going" to the toilet at a certain time. The best period for bowel movements is the morning hours. This allows you to prepare the child both psychologically and physiologically for the daily bowel movement. In addition, it is important to start the day with 1 cup of water.
Do not forget that constipation in a two-year crumb is not a pathology. This problem is easily fixed if all the necessary measures are taken in a timely manner.