Solution to Constipation in a 1-Year-8-Month-Old Child Caused by Formula Milk Consumption

Question

A 1-year-8-month-old child primarily consumes formula milk, with each intake of 150 to 180 milliliters; eats less solid food; and is unwilling to drink more water, resulting in very dry and hard stools. A doctor suggested giving honey, but the parent wants to know if there are other more effective solutions?

Answer

To address the issue of constipation in young children, it is recommended to supplement fluids between meals and encourage the consumption of more fruits like apples or other fruits such as kiwi, watermelon juice, etc. For children over 6 months old, you can add vegetables like carrot puree, spinach, bok choy, and tomatoes to their complementary foods. Children who drink formula milk are prone to symptoms of heat such as hard stools and yellow urine, which may be due to dietary factors such as excessive intake of high-protein foods or improper dilution of formula milk leading to overconcentration. Therefore, adjusting the dietary structure and increasing fluid intake are key to alleviating this problem.