Improving Bowel Health

If your child's average bowel movement is less than one a day, try one or more of the following treatment (depending on the severity of the condition).

1- Scheduling daily toileting.
2- Changing diet and increasing exercise.
3- Using a stool softener.
4- Using a bowel stimulant.
5- Administering an enema.



Scheduling Daily Toileting

Most children who have irregular defecation are able to progress toward regularity by trying to move their bowels at the same time every mourning, preferably after breakfast. The child should sit on the toilet and attempt to defecate for no more than five minutes, if a movement is coming, it shouldn't take longer than five minutes. Sitting for longer periods of time just frustrates everybody. Having the child drink warm beverages (such as hot cocoa) or applying a warmed device to the abdomen (such as a hot water bottle) before his sits on the toilet may help the bowel training process. Also, abdominal massage can help get the bowels going.

Some families ask if all right for their child to have a daily bowel movement in the afternoon. If your child shows progress towards dryness on schedule, then his personal patter of defecation may not need to be modified. But our experience suggest that it is worth while to make some effort at mourning toileting. For one thing, encouraging your child to have a bowel movement before school may itself relive stress. Some children feel uncomfortable moving their bowels at school because of sanitary and privacy concerns. Because many children hold in their stool until they come home, the resulting constipation can often complicate treatment of their enuresis ( and encopresis if present)


Dieting And Exercise

We all know by now that eating foods high in fiber is important for good health. And who hasn't herd the call to add more exercise to their daily lives. Less obvious however, is the effect that diet and exercise can have on childhood wetting problems. A low fiber-dieat can cause constipation, as can a life of inactivity. Is your child getting enough exercise? If not, there are two small changes that you can make that can yield very positive results.


More fiber.

Some foods that are high on fiber are bran flakes, apples, peanut butter, whole wheat bread, and granola bars. Remember to avoid giving your child a heavy lead of milk or cheese products, which could lead to constipation. A little applesauce will also promote looser bowel.


More Exercise

Sedentary children my show tendency to constipation. To maximize your child's chances for success in getting to dry, encourage him or her to pick up a sport activity and run with it. Whether is bike riding, swimming, playing soccer, or just the usual childhood horsing around, daily exercise will keep the bowels moving. Minimize couch sitting and television watching in your house, not just for the benefit of the child who wets, but for everyone in the family. Schedule a weekly walk in the woods or in the city for kids and parents together. If you lead by example, your child will likely follow.


Stool Softeners And Stimulants

If you have tried implementing a toileting schedule and changing your child's diet and exercise habits and your child still does not move his bowel daily, or if the bowel movement is dry and hard, consider using an over the counter preparation such as mineral oil.

For youths, a common starting does mineral oil is one tea spoon to one tablespoon twice a day. Mineral oil which help lubricate and soften stools, makes them easier and more comfortable to pass. Mineral oil, though tasteless and odorless, is not very appealing by itself. Most people mix it with orange juice or disguise it by pouring it over pasta. If an excess dose of mineral oil is taken, the extra amount may leak out and stain underwear, so you may need to individualize the dose, such as giving one half table spoon of mineral oil twice on one day, then one half tablespoon one the next day.

You should use such preparations only while the child is learning urinary dryness. Consult your physician i you feel your child requires ongoing use of a stool softener. Note: since some vitamins are fat soluble, do not give your child mineral oil at the same time as vitamin tables. Wait about three hours between administering the two. You could also consider giving your child one dose of mineral oil before bedtime, so it will not compete with the absorption of food or vitamins.


Stool Stimulants

If your child does not defecate daily, you should use a natural stimulant such as a Senokot, Be mindful that if Senokot induces diarrhea, you may need to choose a lower dose of the medication or increase the dosage interval.


Enemas

If you suspect your child need immediate relief from severe constipation, because of difficulty having a bowel movement or because or large, dry stools, consult your doctor about using an enema, such as a pediatric fleet enema.

To administer an enema, follow these instructions:

1- Place a towel or plastic sheet under the child.

2- Have your child lie on her left side and bring her knees up to her chest,

3- Coat the end of the enema tubing or the tip of the bottle with lubricant and then insert it into the rectum.

4- Let the enema solution flow into the rectum.

5- Ask the child to hold the solution inside for as long as possible.

6- Have the child sit on the toilet to have a bowel movement. Administer one enema per day for two to three days until your child's colon is cleaned out .

When an enema is suggested by your doctor, its is as a last resort. Parents need to be aware that this procedure may be embarrassing and frightening to a child. Before giving enema, explain to your child why you need to give him or her an enema and go over the procedure you will be following. Be careful not to be coercive.

If you have never giving enema before, and your are nervous about doing so, ask your doctor if he would supervise this treatment in his office.