The second tip is to give him enough fibres
Gradually increase the amount of fibres contained in his meals to avoid gas and abdominal discomfort. Vary the sources lire cereals, vegetables, fruits but also legumes that are extremely rich in fibres.
Here are a few tips to add more fibres in his food.
- Add ground flaxseeds to your smoothies, yogurts, cereals, muffins, pancakes and salads.
- Add legumes to your recipes (1/2 cup of chick peas or red beans give 8 grams of fibres).
- Choose fruits that are richer in fibres such as pears, mangos and pineapples.
- Eat vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Crucifers help the liver function.
- Always choose whole grains cereals. Look for ingredients like whole-wheat flour and oat bran.
- Give him vegetables at every meal. Opt for fruits as a snack.
- Try buckwheat cereals, extremely rich in fibres, as side dish.
More tips
- A cup of warm water with a bit of honey can also help in the morning.
- Make him exercise. For tiny tots, make the pedalling motion with your legs to stimulate peristalsis. For older kids, move, dance, play outside. You can even try yoga for children with him.
- Massage is very effective for children who need to be reassured and appeased. Massage his belly clockwise with the palm of your hand every night before sleep. You can add a bit of sweet almond oil and a drop of lavender essential oil. Lavender calms children.
- Practice deep breathing exercises with him. Breathing exercises can be practiced everywhere and at any time. These exercises help stimulate digestion and elimination. Include it in your routine: before meals, before bedtime, etc.
- Make him drink marshmallow or purple tea or add red elm to his meals. Those plants are emollient; they help softening the stools and soften the lining of the intestine.
- In severe constipation cases, adding probiotic capsules may be necessary. Ask your naturopath.
If he did not evacuate for a few days or if your child cries, give him a warm chamomile enema. Use a small douche, bought at the pharmacy, lie your child on his left side on a towel on the bathroom floor (lie children under three years old on their back).
Lubricate the tip of the tin with oil and slowly insert the tip of the douche (check the temperature on your wrist first). Hold the bulb pressed to remove it without taking the liquid out. Wait a few minutes and sit your child on the toilet for evacuation.
Avoid laxatives that could cause mineral loss. It is preferable to correct the situation by adopting healthy habits. Ask a licensed naturopath to help you. And also, don’t forget to give him enough time to go to the toilet. Make him laugh! Laughter massages the intestine and relaxes us.
