How to ease the pain of child's constipation by Susan Moores MS, RD

“Parents sometimes panic if a child doesn’t have a bowel movement every day,” - See more at: http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442476123&terms=constipation#sthash.qsyR7whJ.dpufPa

"Parents sometimes panic if a child doesn't have bowel movement everyday" says Bridget Swinney MS, RD, LD. Swinney and Vandana Seth RDN, CDE offer these ideas ..
http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442476123&terms=constipation

• Serve meals with tasty fiber-rich foods such as pears and apples (with their skins on), carrots, sugar snap peas, beans and whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat and corn. Grate zucchini and carrots and add them to casseroles, soups, side dishes and sandwiches. Use every meal and snack as an opportunity to serve fiber-rich food. Repeatedly expose your children to foods they initially reject. Get your kids to participate in grocery shopping and food prep — it will foster their natural curiosity and get them more invested in what they eat.
• Serve dried, fresh or frozen fruit as a snack, or make a fruit smoothie, mixing fruit with low-fat yogurt or kefir. Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds to one cup of the smoothie to boost the fiber content.
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. It will help soften stools and make it easier for them to pass.
• Try a warm beverage or warm whole-grain cereal in the morning — that may stimulate the “urge” a bit more says Sheth. Try to leave plenty of time after breakfast for your child to use the bathroom before heading out the door. Sheth finds kids often have to go 30 to 60 minutes after their meal.
• Make the bathroom break as pleasant as possible. During potty training, give your child lots of praise for using the toilet.

- See more at: http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442476123&terms=constipation#sthash.qsyR7whJ.dpufhttp://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442476123&terms=constipation

BrBBridget Swinney, MS, RD, LD

Bridget Swinney, MS, RD, LD

Bridget Swinney, MS, RD, LD