Candles for constipation: pros and cons

Constipation in a baby

Constipation in newborns and infants

– this is an increase in the intervals between acts of defecation and/or systematically incomplete bowel movement. Every fourth baby suffers from constipation in the first year of life. Dense, rare (2 or less times a week), large-diameter stools are diagnostic signs of constipation. Constipation is not always accompanied by pain, and therefore a small part of parents turn to the pediatrician immediately.

Dyschezia.

The concept of infantile dyschezia should be distinguished from constipation. In this case, stool retention is associated with immaturity of the muscles responsible for bowel movements. Therefore, before defecation, the baby is restless, cries, and calms down after passing soft stools. This condition does not require treatment; the baby will “outgrow” it by 6 months of age.

Bowel frequency.

The diagnosis of constipation in a child of the first year of life is not as simple as it seems - the frequency of stool differs in breastfed and bottle-fed children and in children of different ages: normal stool frequency in children 0-4 months. from 7 to 1 time per day, from 4 months. up to 2 years – from 3 to 1.

What suppositories for constipation are allowed for newborns and older children?

In case of difficulties with bowel movements in babies, as an emergency aid, it is permissible to use:

1. Glycerin suppositories.

Let us consider in detail the characteristics of glycerin and sea buckthorn suppositories.

Glycerin suppositories

The best option for constipation in infants is glycerin suppositories.

, however, their use must be reasonable. Otherwise, this is fraught with the disappearance of sensitivity in the receptors of the rectum, that is, the child will not be able to defecate on his own.

Suppositories

with glycerin
are safe
and, according to the instructions,
can be prescribed to young children from two years of age
.

However, many pediatricians allow the use of glycerin suppositories for constipation in newborns:

1. Children under one year old – 1 suppository, course duration – no more than 5 days.
2. From 1 year to 6 years – 1 suppository 1 time/day.
3. Children over 6 years old – 1 suppository once a day, duration of treatment – ​​no more than 6 days

Glycerin suppositories

It is better to insert the candle 15-20 minutes after breakfast.

A newborn uses ½ part of a baby candle, and an adult – ¼ part. Frequency of use - no more than 1 time / 3 days, that is, one candle is divided lengthwise into several parts. Suppositories should not be used more often on a one-month-old baby, as this can cause diarrhea.

Glycerin suppositories are not prescribed if the child has:

1. Individual intolerance.
2. Inflammation of the rectum.
3. Anal fissures.
4. Acute proctitis.
5. Tumors.

Sea buckthorn candles

Can sea buckthorn suppositories be used for constipation in children?

These suppositories are a completely natural product and do not cause side effects. Although they exhibit a slight laxative effect, they have a completely different purpose:

1. Heals wounds.
2. Relieves inflammation.
3. Affect microbes.
4. Negatively affects viruses.

It must be emphasized that many rectal suppositories are contraindicated if there is inflammation, cracks, or irritation in the anus, but sea buckthorn suppositories are not only possible, but should be used in such cases.

It is acceptable to use a sea buckthorn suppository for constipation in an infant if there are no other medications at hand, but it should not be used for diarrhea. This medicine is indicated for use in children only from six months of age.

Sea buckthorn candles

Sea buckthorn suppositories for constipation for children aged 3 years and older can be used once a day.

The laxative effect of rectal suppositories is to locally stimulate the intestines and induce the desire for bowel movements. This is ensured:

• mechanical effect on receptors;
• chemical irritation of the mucous membrane;
• stimulation of the rectal sphincter.

Suppositories used for stool retention have a different mechanism of action depending on the active substance. Before using any drug, consult your pediatrician to:

• find out the causes of constipation;
• exclude the presence of contraindications;
• evaluate the potential outcome of therapy with the chosen drug.

The most common children's suppositories for constipation have the following active ingredients:

• glycerol;
• bisacodyl;
• salts that lead to the formation of carbon dioxide;
• sea ​​buckthorn oil.

Indications

Suppositories help only with proctogenic constipation, when feces have accumulated in the lower intestinal sections with:

• functional delay of defecation;
• organic absence of stool.

With colonic constipation, feces are retained in the large intestine. Their passage through the intestines is hampered by mechanical factors:

• hernias;
• tumors;
• scar growths;
• spasms.

Therefore, the effect of candles here will be useless.

Contraindications for use

Candles are contraindicated if the child suffers from:

• cystitis;
• lactase deficiency;
• intestinal bleeding;
• inflammation of the intestines;
• intestinal tumor;
• individual intolerance;
• spastic constipation.

Side effects with frequent use

Doctors do not advise overusing rectal medications against constipation. Remember that their frequent, long-term use leads to:

• addiction - the intestines gradually lose the ability to work independently;
• microflora disturbance;
• loss of potassium, protein;
• in children prone to allergies - itchy skin, rashes.

Do not forget that suppositories are an emergency first aid to relieve constipation in a child, and not a treatment. To get rid of stool retention, it is necessary to eliminate its cause - the pathology that caused the symptom.

How to help a child with constipation?

Visit to the doctor

In case of constipation, you should not postpone a visit to the pediatrician, because... constipation can be a symptom of many dangerous diseases and developmental abnormalities at this age. Particularly alarming are the appearance of blood in the stool, impaired passage of the original stool - meconium, and low rates of growth and development. A careful examination by a pediatrician is a very important first stage in examining a baby with alarming symptoms. If the pediatrician does not see any warning signs, the mother will receive recommendations for treating constipation. The specialist’s recommendations will primarily concern the nutrition of the child and/or mother.

Diet therapy for constipation while breastfeeding

Diet therapy depends on the type of feeding. Diet during breastfeeding is very important. It is necessary to normalize the child’s diet - to exclude underfeeding or overfeeding. Mom should pay attention to the frequency of her stool - the relationship between the frequency of constipation in mothers and babies is shown. Dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains stimulate intestinal motility; include them in your diet; adequate drinking is also necessary. Use fermented milk products and avoid whole milk products. If there is a suspicion of a food allergy (there is mucus, blood in the stool, skin manifestations of allergies in the baby), dairy products should be completely excluded.

Diet therapy for constipation on artificial feeding.

With artificial feeding, overfeeding and underfeeding of the child often occurs; a pediatrician will help assess this. In the nutrition of children with constipation, comfort formulas, mixtures with carob bean gum, lactulose, adapted fermented milk products, and in case of food allergies - mixtures with highly hydrolyzed protein are used. Your pediatrician will help you figure out which formula will help your baby.

Introducing complementary foods for constipation

The introduction of complementary feeding products is now recommended at the age of the “tolerogenic window” - 4-6 months. For children with constipation, it is worth starting complementary feeding with vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin) from 4 months. life. Buckwheat, corn, and oatmeal are used as grain complementary foods. Preferably fruit puree from prunes, plums, apricots, apples, as well as juices with pulp. Remember that excess fats and proteins inhibit intestinal motility. Children's fermented milk products containing probiotics - kefirs, curds and yoghurts - contribute to the development of the baby's microbiota, and are also actively introduced into his diet from 8 months. Many baby foods and formulas are fortified with probiotics and prebiotics, similar to those found in breast milk, to soften baby's stool.

Child's drinking regime

Do not forget about adequate drinking regime - we offer the child regular (boiled) water in the amount of one feeding per day. Closer to one year, you can offer your baby a therapeutic course of mineral water rich in magnesium, at the rate of 3-5 ml per 1 kg of body weight per day. Do not forget to release gas bubbles from such water in advance. Take it on an empty stomach before meals, then the effect will be maximum.

Massage for colic and constipation

Therapeutic abdominal massages clockwise and linearly towards the navel, bringing the legs to the stomach, laying on the stomach once a day is also a very effective procedure that stimulates proper bowel function.

Causes of constipation in children under one year of age

The following reasons can also lead to constipation in children2:

• incorrect diet of the mother if the baby is breastfed;
• insufficient drinking regime of the child during artificial feeding and during the introduction of complementary foods, regardless of the type of feeding;
• early transfer of the baby from breast milk to adapted milk formulas;
• quick transfer from one formula to another, in less than 3 days;
• adjusting the intestines to new foods and introducing complementary foods;
• underfeeding;
• prolonged and indiscriminate use of enemas, mechanical means to stimulate stool.

Medicines for constipation for newborns and infants.

Drug therapy.

If there is no effect from dietary correction, it is necessary to additionally prescribe laxatives - there are children's medications for this. A pediatrician can prescribe lactulose preparations to a child from birth, macrogol from 6 months, you should not be afraid of them.

Rectal agents.

If the effect of laxatives is insufficient, rectal remedies will come to the mother’s aid - a ready-made complex rectal preparation (a special form for babies from birth), suppositories with glycerin, microenemas (we discussed them when we talked about colic). But leave the rectal forms as a last resort.

Colic and constipation in newborns and infants is unpleasant, but quite common. The mother’s patience and attention and timely contact with the pediatrician will help alleviate the baby’s condition and survive this unpleasant moment with minimal loss in quality of life.

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What means are prohibited to use?

The dominant principle in the treatment of constipation in newborns is the harmlessness of the drugs used.

1. When a child switches from breastfeeding to mixed or artificial feeding, bowel movements may be delayed for several days, and the color and consistency of stool may change. The delay does not require treatment; the body needs to be given time to adjust to the new diet. Medicines can interfere with this process.
2. It is forbidden to independently use laxatives for a newborn child for severe constipation, taken orally.
3. Forget about home and folk methods of causing a bowel movement in a child by irritating the rectum with the tip of a thermometer or syringe. You cannot use candles made from laundry soap, or make various enemas from kefir, soda solution, or mother's milk. This can lead to injury to the rectum and disrupt the natural intestinal microflora.
4. The use of microenemas and suppositories is carried out once, not on an ongoing basis. If the suppository did not help, the child was unable to defecate, do not continue self-treatment, call the pediatrician.
5. If your child has a hard, swollen tummy, constipation for more than two days, or is lethargic and tearful, you should immediately consult a doctor. A diagnosis of intestinal obstruction is possible.
6. Children under one year of age are prohibited from being prescribed saline or osmotic drugs, oil-based laxatives, and medications that are absorbed through the blood.

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