A child who has less than three bowel movements per week, has hard and dry stool, or simply has trouble with his bowel movements may be constipated. While it is normal for a child to have a bowel movement only every few days, it is not normal for stool to be anything other than soft and easy to pass through the bowels. If your child is constipated, you may need to make some changes to his diet in order to encourage his bowels to work properly again.
Increase Fluid Intake
Increasing your child's water intake will help to keep her hydrated so that her stools do not become hard and difficult to pass. If your child is an infant, increase her fluid intake by making sure she gets at least 2 to 4 ounces of water or diluted fruit juice at least once or twice every day. If your infant drinks formula, try switching to a soy-based beverage.
Toddlers and older children should drink more fluids. Try increasing fluid intake to at least two to three glasses of water or fruit juice each day.
Vegetables
Vegetables that are high in fiber are effective for alleviating constipation as well. Vegetables with moderately high fiber levels include broccoli, carrots, corn, green beans, peas and spinach. Beets, acorn squash, butternut squash and avocado are high in fiber as well. Try adding these foods as an afternoon snack or as side dishes during lunch or dinner.
Bran
Foods containing bran, another high-fiber nutrient, can also help to alleviate constipation. These include cereals such as Bran Flakes, Frosted Mini Wheats, granola and oatmeal. Cereals considered to be even higher in fiber include All Bran, Fiber One and 100% Bran. These foods are great for breakfast and can be easily introduced to the diet alone or with fruits.
Fruits
Fruits are naturally high in fiber and are essential to a healthy diet. Fruits with moderately high fiber content include apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, mangoes, raisins and nectarines. If you add raisins or berries to your child's bran cereal or oatmeal, you'll be enhancing the flavor of the food while increasing his fiber intake even more.
Meat Alternatives
Children who eat a lot of foods that are high in fat and low in fiber, such as meats, can quickly become constipated. Replace some of the meat your child eats with alternatives such as peanut butter, baked beans, lima beans, chili with beans or even trail mix.
When to Consult a Doctor
It is abnormal for a child to have a bowel movement less than three times per week. If your child frequently has hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass, she may try to avoid having a bowel movement in order to avoid the pain, making the situation worse. Consult your physician or pediatrician if making changes to your child's diet do not work to alleviate her constipation. There may be an underlying medical cause for the constipation, or your child may need the aid of a medical laxative to get her bowels moving again.
