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9 Home Remedies for Constipation in Toddlers
Constipation is a common problem in children. If you have just introduced solid food to your child, then it will take his tummy some time to adjust to that food. Your little tot may not poop for days and if he does, his poop might be too hard. He may even lose his appetite. All these signs indicate constipation. If your child is constipated, you will obviously try to figure out what you can do to make him feel better. If you are considering giving over-the-counter medicines then don't, because doctors don't recommend over-the-counter medicines to toddlers. You can always opt for home remedies - home remedies are safe and will provide your child with immediate relief.
9 Natural Remedies for Constipation in Toddlers
Using natural remedies as a first-line treatment is often recommended. So try these home remedies to relieve constipation in toddlers.
1. Give him lemon juice.
Lemon juice works as a great remedy for constipation in babies and toddlers. Lemons are high in Vitamin C, which helps pull water into the gut. When the water content increases in the gut, it helps soften the stools and stimulate bowel movements. Mix the juice of half a lemon in a glass of warm water, add honey to it and give it to your child. Ideally, it should be consumed early in the morning on an empty stomach. Drinking it in the morning will stimulate your child's bowel movement and help ease constipation. Apart from lemon juice, you can also give prune juice and apple juice to your toddler if he is suffering from constipation.
2. Try triphala.
Triphala, as the name suggests, is a combination of three medicinal herbs. These are amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki. Triphala has multiple benefits and it is usually consumed with milk. Add a spoonful of triphala to warm milk and give it to your child before bedtime. It is the best herbal remedy for constipation. This is one of the most popular Indian home remedies for constipation in toddlers.
3. Water is always the best choice!
This may seem like a no-brainer but sometimes parents fail to track whether their children are drinking enough water or not. Water is extremely important for ensuring proper digestion and passage of food through the intestinal tract. Drinking adequate water also prevents stool from being dry. So make sure that your child stays hydrated.
4. How about some honey and flax seeds?
Honey helps strengthen the immune system and aids the digestive system as well. Add 1-2 spoonfuls of honey to a glass of milk and give it to your child on an empty stomach. Flax seeds too can help treat constipation. Boil some flax seeds in water for some time, then strain and give this water to your child. This will prevent constipation.
5. Let him exercise and take a warm bath.
An absence of physical activity results in digestion problem and reduced metabolism, which furthers the symptoms of constipation. Keeping your toddler busy in some kind of physical activity every day will stimulate his bowel movements. Make sure your child plays outdoors for at least an hour every day. To provide him relief from constipation, you can also give him a warm bath. Add a few spoons of baking soda in his bathwater and let your child relax in it for ten to fifteen minutes.
6. Include fibrous foods in his diet.
Consuming fruits and vegetables that have a substantial amount of fibre in them aids bowel movements. If rice cereal is a part of your child’s diet, replace it with barley cereal. Along with barley cereal, you can also give a fruit juice to your tot, this will provide him relief from constipation. You should also include vegetables like beans, spinach, sweet potato, and broccoli, and fruits like oranges and apricots in your child’s diet to keep constipation at bay. You can also give corn syrup to your child as it contains sugar-based proteins. These proteins also play a key role in stimulating the bowel movements in a child.
7. Give him blackberries.
Blackberry is highly useful in the stimulation of peristaltic movement. These are involuntary movements in the digestive tract that occur in waves and help in pushing the food forward. This helps reset the bowel movement to a regular routine and aid in the passing of poop. Consuming blackberry by diluting it with water on an empty stomach helps in getting the desired result.
8. Give a mixture of banana and hot water.
This is quite a popular remedy for constipation. Combining banana with hot water, and consuming it first thing in the morning, is known to aid digestion, which in turn, helps relieve the problem of constipation.
9. Milk of magnesia works too!
Many people also use milk of magnesia to treat constipation as it a form of laxative. It primarily functions by pushing water into the intestines, which triggers the bowel movements. But this is used for a short duration only. You can mix a spoonful of the powder with milk and feed it to your child. But try this remedy only after consulting with your child's paediatrician.
When to Consult a Doctor
If you try a natural remedy for a day or two and it does not show desired results then consult your doctor immediately. Furthermore, if your child is constipated for more than two weeks, seek medical help.
FAQs
1. How Will You Know That Your Toddler is Constipated?
If your child has a bowel movement fewer than three times a week, then it is a sign of constipation. Some other symptoms of constipation include stomach ache, nausea, loss of appetite, and bloating. If your child cries or screams while pooping, then he might be having a hard time pooping, and no doubt, it is a sign that he is constipated.
2. Should You Administer Enema for Constipation?
If your child has failed to have bowel movements for many days, he must be in pain. In such a situation, you might want to resort to artificial medicines to stimulate his bowel movements. You can administer enema but only after consulting with a doctor. The enema should be administered at night so that it ends up lubricating the area around the rectum and makes the process of passing stools easier. Ideally, coconut oil should be used for enema as it triggers the intestines and stimulates the bowel movement. But enema should be used as a last resort and only after consulting with a doctor. Do NOT try to administer enema to your child on your own and without supervision.
Natural remedies provide relief from constipation and aid digestion. So try these remedies for your child – he will be fine in a couple of days. However, if these remedies fail to work, do consult a doctor. But prevention is always better than cure. So try to prevent constipation by including healthy and fibrous foods in your child's diet. Also, make sure that he indulges in some kind of physical activity daily and stays hydrated! Take preventive measures and your little one won't complain of constipation at all!
Also Read:
Dealing with Gas Problems in Toddlers
Loose Motions (Diarrhoea) in Toddlers Read more
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Did You Know Your Baby Can Understand Your Emotions? What Kids Go Through When Mom is Upset!
Parents often feel that their children don't understand their emotions. This is why they cry so often and end up behaving in inappropriate ways, right? Well, science refuses to believe that! The truth is that your child can not only tell when you are angry or upset, but he also tries in his own little ways to comfort you!
You may be able to tell how your child is feeling just by taking a look at him. Mothers have the uncanny ability to read their children's emotions and do just the right thing to comfort them. But did you know that young as he is, your child is also not too small to understand your emotions? Extensive research in this field has come up with a truly beautiful finding:
Children as young as 15 months of age, or even younger, can gauge the emotions of their parents, react accordingly, and even try to make them feel better! Awww!
This is How Your Child Understands and Reacts to your Emotions
1. Children can figure out when you are angry and can regulate their actions accordingly
Just because your child doesn't know how to speak, it doesn’t mean he can't tell when you’re angry. He can understand the of anger emotion by taking note of two things: your actions and the inflections in your speech. What's more, most toddlers can actually regulate their behaviour to ensure they don't do something that may further instigate their parents. Psychologists believe that kids who don't show any sign of self-control are the ones to watch out for. They have a higher chance of growing up to be retaliating individuals with little respect for rules.
2. Some children will even do these little things to help you get over your anger
So, your child can detect anger in you, and he may stop doing that irritating thing he had been doing all morning. But does he also make a conscious effort to make you feel better? Well, some children do! The way a child reacts when he sees his parent in an angry mood can vary from one child to the next. Some may continue with their games and play if the parent leaves the room after an angry outburst. But, if the parent stays in the room, some children may hesitate to carry on with their games/play. Instead, he may either find a quiet spot for himself or wait for the parent to leave the room. They may also continue with the games but in a more controlled fashion to ensure they dosn’t incur more anger. Kids who are younger also believe in hugging and kissing their mom when she seems upset. Your children are really quite intuitive!
3. How well your children can detect emotions in others depends on the family
As a parent, you must have noticed that not all kids react the same way to anger. There are some who regulate their actions and behaviour to ensure they don't annoy their parents. But there are some who detect anger but refuse to change or do anything to better the situation. As per research, the kids who try to regulate their actions upon detecting amger are generally toddlers who come from a balanced household. However, the kids whose parents tend to blow their lid too often and at the drop of a hat, are generally used to the emotion and can become desensitised. Now you know why keeping a healthy and happy environment at home is so important!
4. The manner in which children react to emotions is a tell-tale sign of their future personality
Finally, the actions of your child, when you’re angry, sad or moody, can tell you what their personality will be like in the future. If your child waits and thinks about what he needs to do when you're having an outburst, he's unlikely to grow up impulsive. More often than not, he’ll behave in a positive way to make you happy. But on the other hand, if your child tries to instigate you even more by doing things you don't approve of, get ready for a really impulsive teenager! Does your child get scared of angry outbursts and reacts timidly? Well, chances are your little one is really sensitive.
So, the next time you feel angry or sad, give some thought to your little one’s reaction and reign in your emotions. Your child can understand your emotions a lot more than you realise, and is also affected by them. They want to see their Mamma happy and will do what they can to make her feel better! Now we bet that makes you feel better already, right? :) Read more
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How to Speed Up Your Labour
Going into labour is never an easy thing and takes a lot of careful planning and understanding to get through the process. For this to happen, an expectant mother must know her facts right and ensure that she’s well equipped to deal with the situation when it eventually arises.
So, let’s answer some questions about going into labour:
When Does Labour Usually Start?
Some people mistake experiencing their first contraction or the breaking of their water as signals of the beginning of labour. However, scientifically the labour period begins only when your cervix has dilated 3 cm to 4 cm. This is called the “active” phase or the beginning phase of your labour.
It is important to note that you might experience painful contractions a day or night before this phase, which is completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about.
How Long Does Normal Labour Last?
There is no amount of time for labour that is set in stone, but the usual duration lasts up to eight hours or shorter, depending on numerous factors. The maximum that a first-time active labour can last for is roughly 18 hours. First-time moms usually have it harder, since it is an entirely new process for their bodies. On the other hand, mothers who have given birth previously might experience labour pains for 4-5 hours, lasting up to a maximum of 12 hours only.
The length of active labour doesn’t necessarily determine how smooth or rough the delivery is going to be. A very short active labour duration might be too taxing for the mother’s body while a slow and delayed labour period could only exhaust and tire the mother.
What is Slow Labour?
Over a 4-hour period, a normal labour would indicate dilation at the rate of 0.5 cm per hour. If it dilates at a lesser rate than this, it is considered as slow labour. Doctors usually give you a 4-hour window before determining whether your labour is slow. Anything more would require inducing labour or even a C-section delivery. This is because the process can be slightly slow for everyone in the first hour or two and then usually picks up the pace in the next 2 hours.
In some cases, dilation at the rate of 1 cm per hour is considered healthy and normal. However, one must consider that each woman’s labour process is unique to their body and therefore, the mother’s permission must be taken before any decision is made.
What Causes Slow Labour?
Labour becoming slow doesn’t necessarily need to have an underlying cause. Sometimes, labour slows down naturally and sometimes labour can be quick and painless. It all depends entirely on the mother and her body’s responses.
On the other hand, there are times when there are actual reasons for slow labour:
The contractions are normalized and are not getting stronger with each occurrence
Being too exhausted or not being hydrated enough (drinking enough water is very essential)
Your baby might be settled into a back-to-back position. Why does this happen? The main cause is that your pelvis might be taller and narrower than usual, making the process a little more difficult.
Sometimes your baby can move around in the sack, causing the position to change. An unfavourable position can also cause slow labour.
Any type of anxiety or fear can cause the body’s muscles to tighten up, which in turn cause the labour process to slow down.
Any restriction of movement or an epidural can also cause a slow-down.
How to Speed Up Labour?
Speeding up the process of labour is not a harmful or unnecessary option and can actually aide with having a smooth delivery. These are simple but effective ways that you can adopt to make your labour process faster and more effective.
What can help speed up labour
Breaking Water
When your labour process is just beginning, sometimes you’re not sure if it’s going to be a normal or a slow labour. Breaking your water isn’t recommended and might just count as an unnecessary and hasty step. Once the active stage of labour has settled in and you know that your labour is going to be a slow one, breaking waters is a suitable option. This can help with speeding up active labour.
This process is done professionally by the doctor or nurses and should not be done without supervision. Although quite uncomfortable, the process isn’t painful and will surely contribute to a smoother delivery. The doctors will make sure to check that your baby hasn’t been disturbed by this process and it should be noted that after the waters breaks, the contractions become noticeably painful. You will need some form of medicinal relief at this point.
Hormone Drip
Sometimes breaking water, or active movement are not enough to tackle slow labour. The doctor would suggest a hormone drip containing syntocinon. This is nothing but an artificial but effective form of oxytocin.
A hormone drip actively elevates the hormone levels in your body. This leads to considerably painful contractions that need to be monitored and relieved as much as possible. Not just this, even your baby’s heartbeat and health need to be monitored to avoid any complications. For these reasons, doctors usually suggest taking an epidural before starting a hormone drip.
What is an epidural?
It is a system through which painkillers are induced into the body through a thin tube, that is attached to the spine. This painkiller preps the body and your lower abdomen to deal with any painful contractions.
8 Ways to Speed Up Labour
If you're thinking "How can I speed up labour myself?", or "Are there any natural ways to speed up labour?", here's how:
Stay active and move around instead of lying in bed and staying still. This is one of the best ways to speed up dilation and lubricate the muscles. There are also exercises to speed up labour such as lunges and stair climbing.
Stroking and caressing the nipples is also effective, and is one of the effective ways to speed up contractions due to increased hormones.
A warm bath helps with relaxing the senses and reduces the pain of contractions. You might not even require an epidural in such a case.
Regularly clear your bladder and do not hold back. Even if you use the bathroom frequently, it’s okay, because a full bladder could cause the labour process to slow down.
If a scan shows that your baby may be lying in an unfavourable position, you could lie on your side to shift your baby back to an optimal position.
Another effective method is making love to your husband/partner in order to release more oxytocin in the body and therefore, speed up the labour process.
Squatting helps with speeding up labour, but this must be done with some help by your side. This is one of the effective labour positions to speed up the process.
Acupressure on 3 main pressure points is another great way to help your contractions get stronger and make the process quicker. It is surely on the list of things to speed up labour.
How to Cope with Long Labour
Long labour can be unnerving and quite exhausting. So, here are a few tips to help you deal with it better:
Get someone you trust to massage your back, feet, and neck to help relieve any nervous tension.
Keep yourself amply hydrated with fruit juices and isotonic drinks.
Make sure to change your position and get into a comfortable one that would also not put too much pressure on your body.
Keep your mind distracted and think happy and positive thoughts. Any type of anxiety could cause your muscles to contract, so keep your mind at peace.
There are different relaxation and breathing techniques that can help with keeping you calm and composed.
Listen to your favourite soothing music to relax your senses as it helps with ignoring the pain.
Move your hips backwards and move your body forward to help with slowly pushing your baby towards the cervix and increase dilation.
Whatever the situation may be, just make sure that you are well informed, fully prepared and have done your research. Either way, never hesitate to stay in touch with your doctor and take all the necessary precautions to welcome your little one the right way!
Also Read: Signs & Stages of Labour Read more
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Is there need of husband during pregnancy ,delivery,after delivery phase ?
Why not?Is this the question needs to be asked?No,because just like mother,a father is also responsible for every moment during pregnancy and delivery. But still in Indian villages ,there is belief that a husband is not needed during this phase but why is this so ? Is the baby does not belong to him ? A father and mother are equally responsible from the day a woman conceive . Support of husband is the most important thing which a wife needs in this phase .Be it a doctor's appointment, regular checkups, spending time, mood swings etc,a wife needs her husband in every moment. Although it is the woman who carries the child within her for 9 months,the role of fathers is no less important whether family is supportive or not. Because a woman is going through a lot in this period, sometimes she will be very irritated ,happy sad or depressed. A husband is the only person who can handle these mood swings very well.So now what should a woman do if her family belongs to village and your husband is also not understanding your situation?Below are the methods which you can surely try :
TALK TO YOUR HUSBAND POLITELY :Talk to your husband in a polite manner .If he is a good listener, he will surely understand your situation.
MAKE HIM UNDERSTAND: Make him understand by asking him the same question that if in future your husband needs you and you will not be there then how it will affect him ?
MAKE HIM READ ARTICLES:Make him read articles based on role of husband during pregnancy. He will surely get an idea what his role is.
MAKE HIM WATCH VIDEOS ÒR MOVIES: Make him watch videos or movies based on the pregnancy. These will surely affect him .
BE POSITIVE: Always be positive.If you are getting irritated, then meditate or pursue your hobby like drawing,craft,watching movies, listening to music etc.
We should change our mentality irrespective of our locality.A couple should always be there for each other in every situation. This is what a married life or relationship should be !!!!! Read more
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Stop Eating! Are These Foods Damaging Your Sex Drive?
There are a lot of things that impact your sex drive and food is one of them. There are certain items that affect the libido negatively and can make getting turned on difficult. Surprised? Read on to know the foods to avoid before having sex.
There are days when you’re more charged up and long to get closer to your partner. Then are those days when you just don’t feel like it. Even foreplay doesn’t seem to do much. Why is this? There are many reasons why you don’t feel turned on and in the mood to make love. It could be because of your mood, your busy schedule and even because of the food you eat.
A Few Foods Not to Eat Before Sex
1. Cheese
You love cheese but your libido doesn’t! In fact, it’s not just cheese but other dairy products that tend to lower your sexual desire. They produce excess mucus in some people and can make one feel clogged up. Give your cravings for dairy a rest, at least until you’ve made love. Remember, food and sex go hand-in-hand!
2. Alcohol
A glass or two of beer or wine can set your mood right for the night. However, if you think that downing the entire bottle will enhance your desire then you’re highly mistaken. Too much alcohol can reduce your sensitivity to touch, which means an orgasm might be elusive. So drink within limits to set the mood; just don’t guzzle everything. That goes for hubby too!
3. Canned Food
The high level of sodium in canned food can cause acidity, not the best condition to get you turned on. As much as you can, avoid these foods before having intercourse. However, if you’re too lazy to cook or have no other option but to rely on canned food, rinse the contents in water to get rid of the excessive salt. Try not to consume the liquid in the can too.
4. Oats
Rich in proteins, oats are a great way to kick-start your day especially if you’re feeling constipated. Researchers state that oatmeal not only keeps you energised but also aids your body in producing the stress-reducing hormone, serotonin, which boosts your sex drive. However, despite these pros, they’re included in the list of what not to eat before sex so limit them to just one bowl at a time. Having too much in one go can have a negative impact on your sex drive.
5. Broccoli
As healthy as it is, broccoli is not very good for your libido. This is because your body produces methane to digest it that results in excess gas and can put your mood off. This doesn’t mean you should stop eating this healthy green that’s rich in vitamins and minerals; just avoid eating it before having sex.
Besides these, other foods to avoid before having sex are energy drinks, beans, tofu, red meat, peppermint and french fries. All these foods contain content that can reduce your sexual desire. So if you’d been wondering why you just don’t feel the urge to get into the act even when you’re in a great mood, you’re probably making the wrong food choices. Ditch them before making love and save them for another time. Read more
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Is It the Right Time to Conceive? Not Prepared for It, But It Still Happened
Hey! Hope you all are doing good, and got vaccinated, too. Today, I am going to discuss the most common problem among women, and I know that almost all women think about it in their lives.
Some women are newly married, or some don't want to take the responsibility of kids till many years after marriage, so that they can enjoy life post-marriage. But when you make lots of efforts not to conceive as per your plan after marriage, but still get pregnant, then what to do?
We as women know that in this era, our bodies are not as strong as the women in the '80s. So, firstly, if you get pregnant despite all your planning not to conceive, you should never opt to abort, and never take it as a negative. It will not only affect the body for a future pregnancy, but can also have long-term effects on your mind.
From my experience, I have seen how most of my friends, who had aborted just because they wanted some time after marriage to enjoy themselves without responsibility, are crying for a baby, but unfortunately their bodies got affected by the continuous contraception taken to pause pregnancy for long-term.
If it's your first pregnancy, then be very kind, at least for the sake of your body, because in most of the cases, when women abort their first baby, then in future they face many problems. Whatever the situation is, unplanned or not, take your pregnancy as God's gift, and welcome it in your life. If you are not prepared, then it may take a few days, but you will accept it. After a few months of pregnancy, you will realise that it is the right time to have a baby, because most things can be done afterwards, but this time, the only responsibility is your baby. You can enjoy life, have a job, spend time with your partner once the baby turns 1 or 2 years old.
We should never take a pregnancy as a negative if it happens unplanned, because once you start accepting this unplanned situation, then you will get to know how precious it is, as being a mother doesn't stop you from working, enjoying, travelling, etc. So, take it and accept it as a plus point in your life, and the rest you will know yourself, about this beautiful journey, once you deliver God's gift. Mother is the name of God in the lips and heart of little kids.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. when baby is kick? I'm 13 weeks pregnant
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
12 hours ago
A. during first pregnancy you may feel the baby movements after 24 to 25 weeks of pregnancy and till then only mild flatters may be felt but which you may not be feeling if you are doing some work
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
12 hours ago
Q. I’m in my 31 week 1 day of pregnancy. What will be my delivery date??
As I have low lying placenta with grade 1 maturity.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
11 hours ago
A. you had to correlate is ultrasound examination. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
12 hours ago
Q. My hemoglobin is 6.4 from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Now I’m 31 weeks pregnant. What should I do?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
11 hours ago
A. Haven’t when you having some kind of iron supplement because they’re very good during the time of pregnancy if you are not having one you need to start with and whatever tabs you take you should just take it with any good juice specially pomegranate juice that’s going to help in doubling the impact of the medicine that you’re taking secondly try and include more of Iron which diet like spinach broccoli beetroot pomegranate black rice sweet potato these things are exceptionally healthy for you to consume
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
11 hours ago
Q. This is my cbc report
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
11 hours ago
A. No there is nothing visible on my wall so I can really really cannot help you can you please repose the question once again providing all the necessary details as once I’m certain what are you talking about what’s mentioned in the report according to that I can provide you proper help on your question
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
now I'm 24 weeks. Sometimes I'm feeling pain in my thigh.
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
9 hours ago
A. For thegh query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Onlfine consultation can also be taken and the expert will give you the proper answer .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
what is the pain killer than can be taken by a breastfeeding mother to deal with pain of stitches after delivery?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. dolo 650 safe analgesic. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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