The Harder It Gets

Constipation is a dirty topic no one wants to talk about. However, reality check boys and girls, we all go to the bathroom at the end of the day and do our thing. No matter how fast or how slow we get rid of it, it’s something we all go through.

Medical books define constipation as having a bowel movement fewer than thrice per week. While constipated, stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to pass. Some people who are constipated find it agonizing to poop and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel.

Mum used to tell me to that I need to move it out every day because failure to do so leads to blood poisoning (I think that would depend on how long you hold it in). We were potty trained at a very young age since my both mum and dad were working and we were left with the baby sitter. It was embarrassing to mess up the sitter’s house thus there were times that I would lie about being able to move my bowel and holding it until I get home. I then found out that holding the bowel movement is one cause of constipation.  Whether I’m busy playing or just uneasy saying that I need to go, the moment I feel the need for it, I should have let it go.

Well, gone were those days. I’ve learned my lesson in grade school. Of course, having Science as subject, my teacher explained what happens if we hold it back. She told us, it may lead to something serious – which would include hemorrhoids and other metabolic and endocrine disorders, and systemic conditions that affect organ systems.  We were also taught of how to prevent constipation.

Now as a mum to 3 school age kids, I will share a few tips on how to train your kids to be more comfortable whenever he/she needs to use the bathroom:

1.     Have a fiber rich diet on the food. We all agree to that. What we don’t know however is how our kids will eat the food we prepared. Of course, what is pleasing in the eye should be equally yummy. I cook and decorate the food that I give my children since I know that when the food looks gloomy, they probably won’t even taste it. Incorporate fiber (like bran cereal, baked potato with skin, apples, bananas and oranges) in their daily food. Be creative when serving it.

2.      Have them drink lots of liquid (water, preferably) during the day. Specially, during the day (and summer). When we are dehydrated, our excretory system doesn’t function well. The harder the stool gets, the more painful it would take for them to push it out.

3.      Engage them in a daily exercise routine. This is to help circulate the flow of blood in the body, replenishing the rest of the body with the nutrients they ate. You may also exercise with them, not only that you encourage your kids to stay fit but you also bond with them.

4.      Make a schedule for poop time. If they feel at ease pooping at home, give them space at night or early in the morning (before going to school). Some kids would prefer to be alone and unsupervised while in the bathroom. For toddlers, once they feel the need to poop, make them relax. Do not pressure them to poop it all out in one sitting. Straining it, may lead to unwanted hemorrhoids (yes, unfortunately, even kids and toddlers are not spared from it). Make the bathroom “conducive” for pooping – playing a Barney or Pooh song, or lighting the bathroom a bit, if it helps. Anything that would make your young feel comfortable and relaxed with.

5.      Avoid giving laxative, in case they’re already constipated, as it may aggravate the constipation leading to more serious problem. If your kid is already constipated, don’t push him/her to poop it all out. Give them a warm bath to stimulate poop and have a more relaxed feeling. Never sit on it.

My kids have been practicing those 5 worry-free bathroom tips. Of course there are days that they really can’t move it, but hey – that’s all part of growing up. Don’t be alarmed if your kid doesn’t poop every single day. We all have different bathroom habits as long as they move it out on a regular basis; you have nothing to worry about.