PE1642 Foods to Eat When Your Child Is Constipated

Foods to Eat When Your Child is Constipated

What foods should Some foods help soften bowel movements so that stool moves through the bowel faster. These foods can be helpful if your child has a slower moving my child eat if they colon. are constipated? Your child should eat these foods to help soften their bowel movements:

High-fiber foods • Whole grain cereal, bread, pasta • Brown rice • Bran • Oatmeal • Dried fruit • Most vegetables, especially raw (if not a choking risk for your child). But winter squashes, sweet potatoes and potatoes may constipate. • Beans • Most fruit (except banana and apples without skin)

Foods with natural • Fruit juice (apple, pear, prune, or cherry) sugars • Pears, plums, apricots, peaches, prunes, watermelon, kiwi

Natural Laxative Recipes Try these recipes to help your child have regular bowel movements:

Jell-O laxative Ingredients

¼ cup applesauce 2 Tablespoons psyllium (generic Metamucil) ¼ cup apple juice 1 small package Jell-O (any flavor)

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients together. 2. Add water to make the texture you like. 3. Freeze in ice cube trays. 4. Thaw before serving. 5. Give your child 1 cube as needed for constipation.

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To Learn More Free Interpreter Services • Reconstructive Pelvic Medicine • In the hospital, ask your nurse. 206-987-1240 • From outside the hospital, call the • Ask your child’s healthcare provider toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter • seattlechildrens.org the name or extension you need.

Food to Eat When Your Child is Constipated

Fruit paste Ingredients

½ cup dried prunes ½ cup dried figs ½ cup raisins ¼ cup lemon juice 1 ounce (2 Tablespoons) Senna tea leaves 1 and ¼ cup water ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ cup prune juice

Directions

1. Boil fruit, lemon juice, Senna tea leaves and water for 15 to 20 minutes. 2. Remove from heat and add brown sugar. 3. Allow to cool. 4. Using a mixer or food processor, turn fruit mixture into a smooth paste while gradually adding the prune juice. Fruit paste will not become solid but should be as thick as ice cream. 5. Recipe makes about 2 cups. You can store the paste in a container in the freezer and scoop out small portions as needed. 6. Mix the paste with oatmeal, yogurt or other soft foods your child likes.

Fiber recipe Ingredients

1 cup applesauce 1 cup unprocessed bran (increase or decrease the amount as needed) ½ cup prune juice

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients together. 2. Store in the refrigerator or in ice cube trays in the freezer. 3. Serve to your child with a full 8-ounce glass of water: • Begin by giving your child 2 Tablespoons of mixture every day, followed with an 8-ounce glass of water. • After 1 week, increase it to 3 Tablespoons • After 1 more week, increase to 4 Tablespoons • Continue with 4 Tablespoons every day. • In the beginning, your child may have some gas and feel bloated. This feeling will go away in a week or 2. You should begin to see a change in your child’s bowel habits and regularity in 2 weeks. This is not a one-time laxative. Make this a part of your child’s daily habit.

Seattle Children’s offers interpreter services for Deaf, hard of hearing or non-English speaking patients, family members and legal representatives free of charge. Seattle Children’s will make this information available in alternate formats upon request. Call the 6/20 Family Resource Center at 206-987-2201. This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children’s. However, your child’s PE1642 needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon this information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider.

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