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If your child is constipated, here are some tips to help your child and reduce his or her pain:
- Children who eat cereal can have a little prune juice added to it.
- Gradually increase the amount of fluids in your child’s diet.
- Make sure that older children drink plenty of water.
- Older children can also be given prune juice, bran cereal and fruits and vegetables with high fiber content.
- Praise your child when he/she has a bowel movement or sit on the toilet at the planned time but do not reward them with foods such as candies and chocolates. You can give them stickers or put stars on their shirts instead. Older children may be awarded points that they can accumulate to receive a pre-planned gift such as a trip to an amusement park or a toy. You can also indulge in their favorite activities to motivate them.
- To establish a regular bowel habit, make the child sit on the toilet, preferably after meals, at about same time of the day for about 10 minutes.
- Train your child to have a bowel movement on time.
- You can make your child comfortable and still by ensuring that her feet are placed firmly on the floor or a footstool while sitting on the toilet, read a story book to her or let her listen to the radio.
- You may ask your doctor to write down a prescription for the laxatives for the child with the appropriate amount, depending on the child’s age and how chronic constipation is.