toddlers and constipation

looking at my son everytime he passes motion can be very hurtful. not only for him, but also for me. when he passes motion, he will have this classical constipated look; as if it is really painful and hard to pass those stools. at times i wonder if i have been feeding him enough fibre. or have i not.

his face goes all red and engorged, his eyes start to water and he keeps quiet for a moment. this episode can last from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. once he finishes, life resumes normally like nothing has happened. but the trauma sticks with me. it is indeed very painful to see him struggle just to pass his stools..

constipation is a vicious cycle for toddlers with poor fibre diet. once they find it painful to pass motion, the next time they have the urge to open their bowel, they will try not to. so the stool gets harder the next time. and the cycle continues.

95% of my patients (toddlers) who have constipation are usually caused by poor fibre intake. well, toddlers can't get their own food, so the blame is definitely on the parents. sometimes parents change their toddlers' milk on a monthly basis just to get the best milk for them with the hope that their constipation disappears. most of the time changing milk does not work.

most parents forget that milk is not fibre. whether their toddlers like it or not, it is vegetables and fruits that help ease constipation. sometimes if they really hate veggies, i suggest yogurt and drinks like vitagen instead. snacking on prunes and fruits is way better than crisps. so sometimes giving in to their terrible two tantrum is not always a good thing. coz once they are hit with constipation, it can last for years if the vicious cycle is not halted.