Is it safe to use stool softeners for children?

For young children, constipation is not a rare symptom. Using a stool softener for a child is the easiest way many parents think about when treating their child's constipation. However, not everyone really understands about this drug.

Constipation is a frustrating problem for both adults and children, especially babies, because babies can't speak yet. The way to recognize a child with constipation is that the baby's bowel frequency is too little, each time he has to squeeze red face, pain, touching the lower abdomen shows a hard lump and the shape of his stool in the solid form. Stool softeners are a common treatment for constipation in adults, but with children, you need to be extra careful.

The cause of constipation in young children

Dehydration: The most common cause of constipation is a lack of water. Lack of water will cause the stool to dry out. Therefore, it will be difficult for waste to move through the digestive system.

Lack of fiber: This is also a cause affecting the locking system of children. Fiber helps the body absorb water, making sure the stool stays soft and moist. Besides, fiber also helps clean the intestines, remove bacteria, parasites and dead cells.

Lack of movement: When the child lacks movement, the stimulation of peristalsis is not enough to push the stool out, causing constipation.

Infants are less likely to be constipated because they only drink breastmilk or formula. Breast milk is easy to digest, but it is not uncommon for your baby to have problems with bowel movements every 1 or 2 weeks and this is not considered constipation. In this case, you should check your baby's stools regularly. If your baby's stool is soft, you don't need to worry.

Young children often have a habit of fasting if this interferes with their play activities or if they have to use an unfamiliar toilet in a restaurant or at someone else's home. In addition, if the bowel movement makes the child uncomfortable, they will tend to hold it off to avoid the sensation.

For older children, if the child has not had a bowel movement for a few days then you can think about constipation. Children with constipation often have large, hard stools, making them feel pain when going to the toilet. Children will try to hold to avoid experiencing pain. This will make the problem worse because waste products accumulate more in the body.

Is it safe to use stool softener for children?

It is okay to use a stool softener for your child, as long as you consult your pediatrician before using it. Before taking it, you need to find out why your child is constipated. The most obvious symptom you can observe is that the child uses the bathroom less often and every time he walks, he feels uncomfortable. In addition, your child may say that he or she has an upset stomach.

Usually, the main ingredient in a stool softener is glycerine, a substance that helps lubricate a child's anal lining when placed inside the rectum. However, before giving it to your child, you should consult your doctor to eliminate unwanted side effects that your child faces due to other health problems. After using, if you find that the symptoms have subsided, then you should reduce the dose of the drug instead of stopping it suddenly.

Alternative remedies for stool softeners

Instead of relying on stool softeners, you can make a few changes to your child's diet and lifestyle to fix digestive problems in your baby.

1. Eat plenty of fiber

Adding high-fiber foods to your child's diet is the simplest and safest way to improve symptoms.

There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber absorbs moisture in food and slows digestion. Insoluble fiber increases stool moisture and relieves symptoms of constipation. In addition, insoluble fiber also helps to remove toxins from the child's body. Foods high in soluble fiber:

Oranges

Apple

Carrot

Oatmeal porridge

Foods high in insoluble fiber:

Legumes and seeds

Dark green vegetables like kale and spinach.

2. Drink plenty of water

The stool becomes hard and dry when the body is dehydrated. Not only that, the lack of water can also make the body stress and aggravate digestive problems.

According to research, drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, can help avoid this discomfort. If you notice signs of dehydration such as less urinating, dark yellow and less urine, you should give your child more fluids.

3. Exercise

Exercise helps stimulate digestion and make it easier for stool to move through the intestines. Taking 30 minutes of walking every day will help your child improve digestive problems.

Generally, baby stool softeners can be used under the supervision of a pediatrician. Dosage and administration will depend on the child's age and diet. You should not arbitrarily buy drugs at drugstores for your children to use.