Constipation in children can be a distressing experience for both kids and parents alike. It’s not uncommon for parents to feel helpless when their little ones struggle with bowel movements. While there are conventional treatments available, many parents are increasingly turning to holistic remedies to address constipation in a more natural and gentle manner. In this post, we’ll explore some holistic approaches to relieving constipation in children, with a special focus on the role of gut health in this delicate balance.

Understanding Childhood Constipation

Before delving into remedies, it’s crucial to understand what constipation in children entails. Constipation is often defined as infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools. In children, it can manifest as abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort during bowel movements. Several factors can contribute to childhood constipation, including diet, hydration, physical activity, and even emotional stress.

The Importance of Gut Health

At the heart of the matter lies the gut – a complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms collectively known as the microbiome. The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and overall well-being. When the balance of this delicate ecosystem is disrupted, it can lead to various gastrointestinal issues, including constipation.

The health of our children’s microbiome can be impacted by various factors, including over-prescription of antibiotics, poor dietary choices, vaccines, and exposure to environmental toxins like glyphosate. 

1. Over-prescription of Antibiotics: Antibiotics are massively overprescribed for our children today. While, yes, they do have their time and place and should be used for very serious situations, overuse or misuse can have unintended consequences on the microbiome. Antibiotics not only target harmful bacteria causing an infection but can also disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This imbalance, known as dysbiosis, can lead to digestive issues, weakened immunity, and an increased susceptibility to infections.
2. Poor Diets with Processed Foods: A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can negatively impact the diversity and composition of the microbiome. These foods provide little to no fiber and essential nutrients needed to support the growth of beneficial bacteria. Instead, they promote the growth of harmful bacteria, leading to dysbiosis and various gastrointestinal problems, including constipation, diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel diseases.
3. Vaccines: Some vaccines may trigger immune responses that could indirectly influence the gut microbiome. 
4. Contact with Glyphosate: Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide found in many agricultural and consumer products. Glyphosate creates a massive inflammatory response in the body, specifically the gut. Limiting exposure to glyphosate by choosing organic foods and avoiding the use of glyphosate-containing herbicides in the home environment may help mitigate its potential effects on the microbiome. I also recommend that every single human on this planet bet taking Ion Biome by Intelligence of Nature daily! It’s necessary for ensuring that we protect our inner gut lining from glyphosate and other environmental toxins.

Maintaining a healthy microbiome in children is essential for their overall health and well-being. By being mindful of factors that can impact the microbiome we can take proactive steps to support our children’s gut health. Encouraging a balanced diet rich in fiber and probiotic foods, minimizing unnecessary antibiotic use, and reducing exposure to environmental toxins are important strategies for nurturing a thriving microbiome in children.

Holistic Remedies for Constipation

1. Hydration: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Proper hydration helps soften stools and makes them easier to pass. I highly recommend doing drinks that are full of electrolytes and minerals that will actually hydrate you at a cellular level — this includes drinks such as coconut water, using electrolytes such as Drink LMNT, or Redmond’s Electrolytes, or you can create your own electrolyte with my recipe here. 

2. Fiber-rich Foods: Incorporate fiber-rich foods into your child’s diet, such as nuts, seeds, legumes, pears, berries, and avocados. Fiber adds bulk to stools and promotes regular bowel movements. However, it’s essential to increase fiber intake gradually and ensure adequate fluid intake to prevent bloating or discomfort.

3. Probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support gut health. Introducing probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables can help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria and alleviate constipation. If you want to work on incorporating more probiotic foods into your every-day diet, be sure to get my “Building your Microbiome Sheet.”

4. Herbal Remedies: Certain herbs and herbal teas have natural laxative properties that can aid digestion and relieve constipation. Examples include chamomile, ginger, dandelion, and senna. You can also tap into some of my favorite constipation supplements such as BioRay’s NDF Pooper or doing a little “shot” of pure Aloe Vera Juice.

5. Physical Activity: Encourage regular physical activity to promote bowel motility and stimulate digestion. Simple activities like walking, running, or playing outdoors can help keep constipation at bay.

6. Massage and Lymphatic Techniques: Gentle abdominal massage can help stimulate bowel movements by promoting circulation and relaxation of the abdominal muscles. Using clockwise circular motions, massage your child’s abdomen with gentle pressure. Additionally, lymphatic drainage techniques, such as light stroking movements towards the lymph nodes in the groin area, can aid in the removal of waste and toxins from the body, potentially relieving constipation. These additional techniques can complement other holistic remedies and provide additional support for relieving constipation in children.

Nurturing a Healthy Microbiome

In addition to these remedies, we must remember that fostering a healthy gut microbiome is key to preventing recurring constipation in children. One other aspect to look at with the microbiome and constipation is our emotional health. Stress and emotions can significantly impact gut health and contribute to constipation in children. In Chinese medicine, the connection between emotional well-being and digestive health has long been recognized.

In both Western and Eastern medicine, the gut is often referred to as the “second brain” due to its extensive network of neurons and neurotransmitters, known as the enteric nervous system. This intricate system communicates bidirectionally with the central nervous system, influencing our emotions, mood, and stress response.

The Gut-Brain Connection:

When children experience stress, anxiety, or emotional turmoil, it can trigger a cascade of physiological responses in the body, including the gut. The enteric nervous system becomes activated, leading to changes in gut motility, secretion, and permeability. In times of acute stress, this response is often referred to as the “fight or flight” reaction, which can temporarily disrupt normal digestive functions, leading to symptoms like constipation.

Chinese Medicine Perspective

In Chinese medicine, emotions are believed to play a crucial role in the development of illness, including digestive disorders like constipation. Each emotion is associated with specific organ systems, and prolonged or unresolved emotional states can disrupt the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood, leading to imbalances and stagnation in the body.

For example:

• Anger is associated with the liver system. When a child experiences frequent anger or frustration, it can impair the smooth flow of Qi in the liver, leading to stagnation that may manifest as constipation.
• Worry and overthinking are linked to the spleen and stomach systems. Excessive worrying can weaken the spleen’s function of transforming food into Qi and blood, leading to poor digestion and absorption, which may contribute to constipation.
• Fear affects the kidney system. Chronic fear or anxiety can weaken kidney Qi, which governs the lower abdomen and bowels, potentially leading to constipation or other digestive issues.

Keep in mind the stress that your child may be experiencing may not seem to be a huge deal to us as adults, but their nervous system is trying to learn how to deal with stressors. Depending on the age of the child, it might be as simple as the fear of a parent not coming home from work, to getting on the bus because a kid keeps picking on them, to studying for a big test. 

Constipation in children can be a challenging issue, but holistic remedies offer gentle and effective ways to address it. By prioritizing gut health and incorporating natural remedies into your child’s routine, you can support regular bowel movements and overall well-being. With patience, consistency, and a holistic approach, you can help your child find relief from constipation and enjoy a happier, healthier tummy.

 

Please keep in mind that none of this is medical advice. Please seek guidance from your doctor or pediatrician before deciding to use or take any advice. The supplements and ideas listed here are ones that I have used personally and with clients.