Natural Laxatives For Toddlers: Safe And Gentle Relief

Constipation is a common issue among toddlers and can be quite distressing for both children and parents. While it is usually not a sign of any serious disease, it can be uncomfortable and even painful for little ones. The good news is that there are plenty of natural laxatives and home remedies that can help relieve constipation in toddlers.

One of the most important things to focus on is increasing your toddler's fluid intake. Water is crucial for softening stools and making them easier to pass. You can also offer fruit juices, such as apple, prune, or pear juice, as these contain sorbitol, a natural laxative. However, make sure to dilute the juice if your toddler is not used to drinking full-strength juice.

In addition to fluids, offering high-fiber foods can be extremely beneficial. This includes fruits like prunes, mangoes, pears, berries, and vegetables like broccoli and peas. Whole grains, such as oatmeal and whole-grain breads and cereals, are also excellent sources of fiber. Just be sure to introduce these high-fiber foods gradually and pair them with plenty of fluids to avoid making constipation worse.

Another natural laxative for toddlers is coconut oil, which can be added to smoothies or used for cooking vegetables. Avocados are also a great option, as the oil in them helps coat the digestive tract and keep things moving smoothly.

Encouraging physical activity is another way to promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation. Make sure your toddler gets at least 30 to 60 minutes of playtime or exercise each day.

Finally, creating a relaxing bathroom environment and establishing a potty routine can be helpful. Using a small stool under your child's feet can provide better positioning and leverage for easier bowel movements.

Increase water intake

Water is a vital natural laxative for toddlers. It is essential to ensure that your toddler is well-hydrated, as this will help to soften their stools and make them easier to pass. Aim for your toddler to drink water throughout the day, offering it at meals, snacks, and in between meals.

If your toddler doesn't like drinking plain water, there are several ways to make this more appealing:

• Make flavoured waters
• Offer blended watermelon juice
• Use a fun straw
• Take them outside with a bottle and an open cup – they can play with the water and may start drinking it!

It is also a good idea to offer water-rich foods, especially if your toddler doesn't like drinking water. These include melon, berries, bell peppers, pears, mangoes, citrus fruits, cucumbers, and grapes.

Good hydration is key to regularity, so make sure your toddler is drinking enough water to help prevent constipation.

In addition to increasing water intake, there are other natural ways to relieve constipation in toddlers. These include:

• Increasing fibre intake through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Reducing dairy intake, as dairy products are low in system-regulating fibre and can cause constipation
• Physical activity, such as running, jumping, yoga, and biking, to help stimulate intestinal contractions and bowel movements
• Abdominal massage and leg bicycling to help pass stools
• Using natural laxative foods such as prunes, apples, and pears, which contain sorbitol, a sugar that draws water into the bowels and softens the stool

Eat more fibre-rich foods

Fibre is a type of carbohydrate found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. There are two types of fibre: soluble fibre, which helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and insoluble fibre, which regulates bowel movements. Fibre is essential for your child's digestion and overall health.

A good rule of thumb is to take your child's age and add 5 to get the number of grams of fibre they need daily. For example, a 2-year-old should aim for 7 grams of fibre per day. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends that children between 1 and 18 years old consume between 14 and 31 grams of fibre daily.

High-fibre foods for toddlers:

• Apples: A small apple contains 3.6 grams of fibre.
• Popcorn: 3 cups of popped popcorn provide 2 grams of fibre.
• Carrots: Baked mini carrots with cinnamon offer 2.9 grams of fibre per 1/2 cup.
• Bananas: A medium banana has 3.1 grams of fibre.
• Whole-grain bread: On average, 2 grams of fibre are found in each slice of whole-wheat or whole-grain bread.
• Berries: Raspberries are especially high in fibre, with 4 grams per 1/2 cup. Blueberries and strawberries are also good options, with 1.8 and 1.5 grams per 1/2 cup, respectively.
• Whole-grain pasta: There are 2 grams of fibre in every 1/2 cup of whole-grain pasta.
• Pears: A medium-sized pear with the skin on provides 5.5 grams of fibre.
• Sweet potatoes: A medium sweet potato contains 3.8 grams of fibre.
• High-fibre cereal: Shredded wheat and Cheerios are kid-friendly options, with 6 grams and 3 grams of fibre per serving, respectively.
• Green peas: A cup of green peas has 8 grams of fibre.
• Beans: Black beans and chickpeas are excellent sources of fibre, with 8 grams per 1/2 cup.
• Avocado: Half a cup of avocado provides about 6 grams of fibre, along with heart-healthy fats.
• Nuts and seeds: Almonds are the nut with the most fibre, with 3.5 grams per ounce. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are also good options.
• Mango: A cup of mango has nearly 3 grams of fibre.
• Quick-cooking whole grains: Examples include whole-wheat pasta, quinoa, brown rice, farro, barley, and oats.
• Prunes or dried plums: A 1/4-cup serving of prunes provides 3 grams of fibre.
• Oatmeal: A cup of cooked oatmeal contains about 4 grams of fibre.

Tips for incorporating fibre into your toddler's diet:

• Involve your toddler in meal preparation and cooking to increase their interest in healthy foods.
• Use whole grains instead of refined grains for toast, sandwiches, wraps, or burritos.
• Choose cereals with whole wheat or oats as the first ingredient and at least 3 grams of fibre per serving.
• Add berries to yogurts, pancakes, and muffins.
• Opt for whole grain waffles and pancakes, or make your own using a whole-grain or buckwheat mix.
• Include beans and lentils in soups, stews, wraps, or purée them into hummus.
• Serve brown or wild rice instead of white rice, and mix in veggies or beans for extra fibre.
• Blend spinach into smoothies or add it to muffins, pancakes, and egg dishes.
• Choose pasta made from whole wheat, spelt, or quinoa, and add veggies to the sauce.
• Mix bran into burgers, meatballs, or meatloaf.
• Use avocado in smoothies, soups, or baked goods instead of saturated fats.
• Make yogurt smoothies with berries and bran.

Exercise regularly

Exercise is a natural laxative for toddlers. Moving the body keeps the bowels moving, too.

Toddlers should get out to play for at least 30 to 60 minutes a day. This can be in the form of active play, such as jumping and dancing, which can be a fun way to relieve constipation. Movement stimulates the digestive system and can play an important role in preventing chronic constipation.

Exercising regularly is one of the tried-and-true methods to relieve constipation in toddlers, along with incorporating fibre-rich foods and implementing hydration strategies.

Drink fruit juice

Drinking fruit juice is an effective way to relieve constipation in toddlers. Fruit juices, such as apple, prune, and pear juice, contain the sweetener sorbitol, which acts as a laxative. The sugar in the juice is hard for the body to digest, so more liquid enters the intestines, increasing the frequency and water content of stools. This helps to soften and break them up, making them easier to pass.

If your toddler is over six months old, you can offer them 2-4 ounces of fruit juice per day, in addition to their regular feedings. However, it is important to gradually introduce prune juice in small doses, as it can have limitations as a treatment for constipation and may irritate your child's stomach in large quantities. Additionally, prune juice allergies do exist, and sorbitol can cause bloating and gas. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor before giving your toddler any fruit juice.

It is worth noting that fruit juice should not be the only way to treat constipation in toddlers. It is important to ensure your toddler is getting enough water and consuming a balanced diet with plenty of fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Physical activity can also help stimulate intestinal contractions and bowel movements.

Try natural supplements

If your toddler is constipated, it's important to consult a doctor, especially if the constipation has lasted longer than two weeks or if your child is in pain during bowel movements. However, if you are looking for natural supplements to help relieve your toddler's constipation, here are some options to consider:

• Fiber Advance Gummies for Kids: These are all-natural fiber gummies that can help with constipation.
• Fletcher's Gentle Laxative Kids: This is another natural laxative option that has been found to be helpful by some parents.
• Heather's Tummy Fiber Pouch: A natural laxative fiber supplement that you can mix into your child's food. Consult a doctor for the appropriate dosage.
• Aloe Vera Juice: A small amount of aloe vera juice can be added to your child's water or juice. However, it has a strong taste, so you may need to make a special juice or smoothie to mask the flavour.
• Magnesium Powder or Gummies: Magnesium is known to have a laxative effect and can be found in powder or gummy form. The powder has a strong taste, so it's usually mixed with juice. Magnesium gummies are designed to help with anxiety, but they have also been reported to help with constipation.
• Water: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water helps to soften stools and can be a natural laxative.

It's important to remember that these supplements should be used in conjunction with other lifestyle changes, such as increasing your child's fluid and fibre intake, encouraging physical activity, and creating a relaxing bathroom environment. Additionally, always consult a doctor or healthcare professional before giving any supplements to your child, as they can provide advice on appropriate dosages and potential side effects.

Frequently asked questions