Fussy Eater Constipation Tips - Fussy Eater Solutions

1
Fussy Eater Constipation Tips
www.fussyeater.com.au
Call 0421 843 038
2
FUSSY EATER CONSTIPATION TIPS
Fussy eater constipation tips are provided to
assist you to give relief to your fussy eater and
to reduce the frequency of future bouts of
constipation.
My girlfriends 4-year-old son had not been to
the toilet for a few days. She, at the time, was
involved in a Theatre play, and was away from
home every single night. No amount of persuasion,
or homemade remedies would help. However, at the
end of the week, theatre was finished, and her
little boy finally went to the toilet.
See, he said, theres Daddy poo, theres kiddy
poo, and this is baby pooand their mummy? Shes
at the theatre!
We thought it was a very funny story at the time.
However, when it comes to limited bowel movement
some answers are not so simple.
Constipation is a frequent issue that affects 30
of children. It requires all the attention of a
mother when shes home from the Theatre.
www.fussyeater.com.au
Call 0421 843 038
3
When I work with a new family, finding out if
their fussy eater suffers from chronic
constipation is a priority. Often, they have a
lower fibre intake, than other children. But
this goes beyond nutrition it always does.
Constipation may affect appetite and exacerbate
anxiety associated with eating.
What is constipation?
Children can have irregular bowel movements and
not go to the toilet every day without being
constipated. Babies who are breastfed may poop
once a week, while children may go every 2 or 3
days. Toddlers may be struggling to juggle toilet
training and pooping action.
Therefore, the appropriate way to assess and
confirm constipation it to check your fussy
eaters stools. It is indicated by dry,
nuts/pellets like, or large dry painful stools.
These are depicted in the Bristol Stool Chart
here. There are quite a few signs of constipation
you may see along the way.
www.fussyeater.com.au
Call 0421 843 038
4
Signs of constipation

• Refusing to go to the toilet,
• Reduced appetite, the child feels full after a
  few bites. Appetite may increase after a child
  passes a large stool. Then it decreases again,
• Nausea and vomiting (because the stomach is slow
  at emptying),
• Complaining of abdominal pain or cramps,
• Irritability, anxiety. Children may cry, bend
  their body in two, or lie down in a fetal
  position. They may cross their legs and refuse to
  go to the toilet as they become anxious about the
  pain they experience. They may soil their pants,
• Anal fissures, from straining.

www.fussyeater.com.au
Call 0421 843 038
5
Causes of constipation

• a refined diet that lacks fibre,
• limited hydration,
• overconsumption of dairy products,
• a lack of physical activity,
• Ignoring the urge to poop, for example, due to
  associated pain.
• underlying medical causes (allergies, celiac
  disease etc).

When should you take your fussy eater to a doctor?
If you are worried about your child, you should
seek medical advice immediately. If your child
has frequent, chronic constipation it is best to
check with your GP, so they may rule out any
specific cause or help you avoid a worsening of
the situation like faecal impaction. It is worth
considering reducing the pain before tackling
constipation, particularly when home remedies
have been unsuccessful.
www.fussyeater.com.au
Call 0421 843 038
6
Your child may be chronically constipated and
your doctor or paediatrician may further
investigate the issue. Trust your doctors advice
before eliminating foods from your childs diet
on a wild guess. Relief is important, the doctor
may prescribe laxatives. It is important not to
self-prescribe those to a child. Laxatives can
reduce bowel movement in the long term.
Fussy eater constipation tips

• Hydration matters, because as much as fibre is
  important to a childs diet, a bulk of fibre will
  not move without good hydration. The trick is to
  offer water at meals and during the day. Use a
  glass here, a bottle or a cup there.
• Foods that are beneficial include prunes, pureed
  apple and juices, fruit (unpeeled, including
  grapes, pears, persimmons, and kiwis) and
  vegetables. Seeded, sprouted, wholegrain and
  wholemeal bread, pasta and rice, legumes
  (chickpeas and lentils), seeds and nuts can be
  offered at mealtimes. Psyllium can be sprinkled
  over breakfast.
• Some naturally occurring sugars like sorbitol,
  xylitol, or mannitol found in stone fruit like
  avocado, plum, cherries, peaches, apricots etc,
  have a laxative effect. They are often used as
  sweeteners in yoghurt and other products.

www.fussyeater.com.au
Call 0421 843 038
7

• Massage and/or warm bath may help babies and
  children.
• Exercise is important, lifting legs up, or any
  movement that can put gentle pressure around the
  bowel area may help.
• Regular opportunities to sit down on the toilet,
  i.e. a once a day or after each meal should be
  provided. However, the toilet routine should not
  pressurise children to produce stools it needs
  to allow children to relax.
• Footstools that raise knees higher than hips will
  provide good ergonomics.
• Bananas, especially if unripe, grated apple and
  excessive milk may increase constipation.

www.fussyeater.com.au
Call 0421 843 038
8
About Us
Issues arising around eating are numerous and may
trigger unwarranted stress. Difficulties with
fussy eating, confusion around nutrition,
demonisation of food and goal settings on size
and health, can further impair parents' ability
to know what to do and how to do it. Fussy Eater
Solutions' philosophy is to be inclusive of your
eating culture, personal beliefs, and financial
situation. We work together, either through
workshops or individual appointments, to help
children find pleasure, confidence, and
mindfulness in eating.
www.fussyeater.com.au
Call 0421 843 038
9
Contact us
6 Riddell Parade, Elsternwick 3185, Victoria,
Australia
0421 843 038
mariefrance_at_fussyeater.com.au
www.fussyeater.com.au
www.fussyeater.com.au
Call 0421 843 038