Chances are that you know why your child is constipated. But sometimes it is hard to pinpoint the causative factor or there is more than one factor involved.

Here is a list that will help you troubleshoot. Go through each point and ask yourself if there is anything you can do to improve on any of them. Don’t make lots of changes at once as they won’t stick. Make one change, stick with it for one week, and then add another one, and so on.

Here is a list of the 10 most common causes of constipation in children (and adults too):

  1. Too little water – drinking enough water every day is one of the most important factors to work on when we struggle with constipation
  2. Too little fiber in the diet – not eating enough fruits and vegetables (raw and cooked). Don’t forget about nuts, seeds, and legumes which all have lots of fiber beneficial to intestinal health.
  3. Too little exercise – daily movement/exercise is one of the key factors in having regular bowel movements
  4. Too much processed food – a packaged food once in a while won’t cause too much harm, but eating it on a regular basis, especially a few times a day, will (among other ill effects) definitely slow intestinal motility
  5. Too much refined sugar – store-bought pastries, biscuits, crackers, and muffins made with white flour and white sugar all slow the passage of stool

Does your child suffer from constipation? These reasons will help you pinpoint why your child is constipated and help you help them poop every day. Especially number 1. It’s easier than you think.

6. Too much stress on a regular basis – stress at school or at home, travelling, or always being on the go.

7. Too busy playing and not going to poop when the child feels the urge to have a bowel movement.

8. Relying on daily laxatives to have a bowel movement.

9. Medications taken on a regular basis – iron supplements, pain medications, etc.

10. Medical problems – slow thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes, food sensitivities or allergies, etc – this is the time when you have to take your child to your doctor and get to the bottom of the problem.

Let’s do something about it today! Don’t let constipation get worse and lead to other problems for your child (eczema, acne, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections, etc.).

Do you want to read more about helping your child have regular bowel movements? Here are some past articles on how to relieve constipation.

Do you have any questions and you want to help your child not suffer from constipation anymore? Check out the “Constipation 101- How to help your child poop every day” program. It could be the right program for you.

 

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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