Constipation is a common condition among children. Parents should know how to prevent constipation in their baby. Here are some tips you should follow:

1. Develop a good habit that your child must eat after each meal

   Children’s stomach capacity is small. Rough, large or excessive food, can easily block the child’s stomach, causing indigestion. Therefore, when the child is eating, the parents should prepare a small meal for the child, usually about one-third or one-quarter of the amount for an adult. In this way, the child will not feel hungry all the time and will have a sense of accomplishment after eating.

2. Eat fewer meals, carefully choose high-quality snacks

   Because the child’s stomach capacity is small, he/she can’t eat too much food every time, but his/her energy is still high. Your child needs to supplement his/her diet almost every 3 to 4 hours. Therefore, the child’s diet should adhere to a small number of meals. As for the side meal, you can choose some nutritious foods such as white fungus, almonds, honey and so on. These foods not only contain high-quality and high-quantity protein and lipids but also have a soft and moisturizing effect. They are the greatest source of vital energy for children. Parents can soften and mash the white fungus into a sweet meal for the child; grind the almonds with oatmeal, raisins, and drink with water to give the child a drink. You can also pour some honey on fruit or cake for the child.

3. Add fiber

   If your child really hates eating vegetables and fruits, they can eat more fungus, oyster mushroom, seaweed, kelp, dried fruit and other foods to increase their fiber intake. Soluble fiber lets your solid waste retain more water, making it softer. This in turn, makes it easier for it to pass through the intestine.

4. More intake of melons

   Chinese medicine believes that the reason for constipation in children is that their body is hot and dry. Therefore, children with constipation should usually eat more melon fruits, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, etc., to eliminate the heat in their bodies. If your child doesn’t like the taste of this kind of fruit, you can sprinkle condensed milk, yoghurt or ice cream on the fruit to make it sweeter. In addition, parents should always let their children eat mung bean porridge, which can also play a role in relieving heat and laxative.

5. Appropriate exercise

   In normal times, parents should encourage their children to participate in sports. Exercise can increase and promote bowel movements. Lack of exercise is actually one of the key factors to constipation. Simple exercises like walking, jogging, stretching, etc., can help your child’s digestive system.

6. Develop good bowel habits

   Failure to urinate on time is one of the causes of constipation in many children. In children 3 to 7 years old, the muscles in the abdomen and pelvic cavity are in the developmental stage, and the function of defecation reflex is not mature. They still don’t know that they should go to the bathroom when they are willing to take care of them. Therefore, parents can take one hour after breakfast as a fixed defecation time for the child. In the beginning, the parents can accompany the child to defecate, each time about 10 minutes, gradually help the child to develop the habit of going to the bathroom regularly. Before going to the toilet, you can give your child a glass of juice or warm honey to moisten the intestines.

7. Pay attention to your child’s oral health

   The oral hygiene of children is easily overlooked by many parents. Children with bad teeth can become picky eaters, loss of appetite, and indigestion. This naturally affects bowel movements. Therefore, in addition to paying attention to the correct brushing of children after meals, parents should also take them to the dentist clinic regularly (every three months) for an examination.