Question
My baby is almost three years old, and their stools are very dry (like grains), and they refuse to eat green vegetables. What are some good dietary therapy methods?
Answer
Hello, there are many possible causes of constipation in children:
- Insufficient Diet: When children eat little, the amount of residue in the digestive tract decreases, leading to less stool; if the sugar content in milk is insufficient, the stool will also become dry; prolonged insufficient diet may lead to malnutrition, making the abdominal and intestinal muscles weak, resulting in poor peristalsis and constipation.
- Inappropriate Food Composition: Constipation is related to food composition. If there is too much protein and insufficient carbohydrates, it can affect fermentation, making the stool alkaline and dry, leading to constipation. Additionally, if food contains a large amount of casein, the stool may contain a large amount of undissolved calcium soap, which is also prone to constipation. Moreover, refined rice flour and refined wheat flour have less residue and are also likely to cause constipation.
- Gastrointestinal Dysfunction: Due to irregular lifestyle and defecation, the defecation reflex may weaken or not form at all, causing intestinal muscle relaxation and leading to constipation. Some medications or diseases, as well as abnormal sympathetic nerve function, may also cause constipation.
- Genetic and Physiological Defects: Some children are born with constipation and may have a family history related to genetics. Certain physiological defect diseases, such as anal fissure, anal stenosis, congenital megacolon, etc., may also cause constipation.
- Psychological Factors: Sudden psychological stress or changes in living environment may lead to short-term constipation. Here are some measures to improve constipation in children:
- Change Dietary Content: Breastfeeding infants should primarily be fed breast milk. Try to breastfeed as much as possible. Breastfed infants are less likely to have constipation.