Question
My son is 21 months old and often suffers from constipation. His stools are like small meatballs, sometimes as small as raisins. After a period of constipation, he will catch a cold. What should I do? I’m wondering if giving him vegetable juice mixed with sugar and boiling water to drink will help with his constipation.
Answer
Children’s constipation is one of the common diseases in the department of gastroenterology, which is not caused by organic diseases but rather by dietary and lifestyle habits. Once children experience constipation, the first step is to change their dietary habits. They should drink more fruit and vegetable juices, and it’s important to ensure adequate water intake. The water should be cooler, as cooler water can stimulate gastrointestinal peristalsis. It’s also necessary to control the intake of wheat products and to avoid junk food and puffed snacks.