7 Nutrition Tips To Help In Constipation In Children

Created by Puja Sharma Vasisht Updated on Dec 17, 2020

Even babies have constipation! Though surprising but if your little one has been struggling with her motions in the morning, or if she has hard stools, the chances are she is constipated. How to deal with it? You may need to visit your paediatrician if it is chronic. Apart from any laxative/medication prescribed by your doctor, you need make certain changes in the diet pattern to overcome this problem.
Nutrition Intake to Help in Constipation in Children
Constipation Intake both fluid & fiber intake has to be increased. Read on..
- Increase fluid
Give more water. If the child doesn’t take plain water include fluids like coconut water, lime water, juices, soups etc.
- Increase Fibre
Give dals with husk and legumes/beans daily. These can be given as regular curries or in khichri form or added to the soups.
- Give Whole Cereals like dalia, brown rice, bajra, ragi, rice flakes etc. these can be given as porridge of dalia, oats, ragi, rice flakes. Alternatively these whole cereals can be used for khichri, uttapam, upma or idlis too.
- Give plenty of fruits and vegetables. Hard fruits like apple, pear can be given as stew.
Fruits like banana, papaya, guava, cheeku , grapes can be given as it is or in a mashed form. Dried fruits like prunes and figs too help in constipation. Give as it is or after soaking overnight.Vegetables especially green leafy, peas, beans, carrots are helpful.
- Avoid giving too much-refined cereals/ maida products, like bread, buns, pizza base, any pasta.
- In each meal make an effort to include one fibre-rich item.
- Sometimes, children react to milk—either constipation or loose motions. Watch how your child’s system reacts after a glass of milk.
Though constipation is children can be relieved easily, if it continues beyond the recommended time, please consult the doctor.

This content has been checked & validated by Doctors and Experts of the parentune Expert panel. Our panel consists of Neonatologist, Gynecologist, Peadiatrician, Nutritionist, Child Counselor, Education & Learning Expert, Physiotherapist, Learning disability Expert and Developmental Pead.

| Dec 11, 2015
Same here, that was very useful. Fruits could be a great remedies for constipation. But sometimes this fruits are not available on our house that is why I am recommending this Digestic from Mimonis that is also good for constipation problems. Nothing to worry because it is purely organic.


| Mar 02, 2016
Very nice. I would like to add one more thing which worked for my daughter. she too had hard motions problem. whenever we give ricedaal kind food we should also add little onion,tomatoes,corriander and cook it. if baby likes garlic u can add that too. some babbies don't like garlic smell. mash it and then feed rather than plain food. add always little ghee for smell too. most imp food should b slightly warm which helps for digestion too.





| Aug 08, 2016
hi , I have a confusion tht either banana is helpful in constipation or not... as I read in one comment it is helpful in loose motions... BT in th blog which is about the benefits of banana for kids... I read tht banana is helpful in constipation... can u plz let me knw exactly should I give banana to my 2 nd half year old son or not...




| Oct 26, 2017
Thanx maam.. it was useful... but i need a suggestion. My son's stomach became hard as rock and v had to take him to hospital and gave enemia to clear off the stools. He diesnt like the idea of going stool and always contracts wen it comes. What other solution is available in place of enemia if the same situation comes?

| Oct 26, 2017
Thanx maam.. it was useful... but i need a suggestion. My son's stomach became hard as rock and v had to take him to hospital and gave enemia to clear off the stools. He diesnt like the idea of going stool and always contracts wen it comes. What other solution is available in place of enemia if the same situation comes?

| Oct 26, 2017
Thanx maam.. it was useful... but i need a suggestion. My son's stomach became hard as rock and v had to take him to hospital and gave enemia to clear off the stools. He diesnt like the idea of going stool and always contracts wen it comes. What other solution is available in place of enemia if the same situation comes?