Patient and Family Education
Using Foods to Help in Bowel Management
Certain foods can help Your child may have problems with diarrhea or constipation, related to their with your child’s bowel bowel condition, or their ostomy. You can add or take foods out of your management. Follow child’s diet to help. the tips and food lists for help. How can certain foods help? • There are components in foods that affect stool consistency making it thicker or more liquid. They can stimulate the bowel to move faster or draw water into the bowel causing a laxative effect. • In general, try to include a well-balanced diet for your child including fruits and vegetables which are important for general health and nutrition. • Talk with us often about what your child is eating and drinking. This helps us guide you on how to modify their diet, to best with their treatment. Use the foods listed below as a guide. Infants and children may respond differently, so be flexible and modify their diet based on your child’s response.
For infants eating pureed foods Foods that may help to thicken or loosen stools:
Thickeners (constipating Looseners (may result in more foods) liquid stool)
*Rice-based iron fortified cereal Pears, plums and prunes (Oatmeal-based iron fortified cereal may result in softer stools than rice-based cereal).
Bananas Peaches, apricots
Applesauce Vegetable oils
Mashed potato Green beans, peas, spinach, other well- cooked dark green leafy vegetables
*Carrots *Pumpkin and sweet potato
Apple, pear and prune juice (or most fruit juice) Start by offering 1 to 2 ounces of juice mixed with pureed food or mixed in with formula or breast milk
Breast Milk *These foods may have variable results
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Using Foods to Help in Bowel Management
Breast milk or formula To Learn More • Breast milk has natural laxative-type ingredients, and can help to keep • Reconstructive Pelvic stools soft. Medicine 206-987-1240 • If your infant is having problems with constipation, keep pumping and /or breast feeding as long as you can. • Ask your child’s healthcare provider • Your infant may become more constipated if you transition to more or all formula. If this happens, add ½ to 1 ounce of pear or prune juice to their • www.seattlechildrens.org bottle 1 to 2 times a day. You can do this by replacing ½ to 1 ounce of the water with juice when you make the formula. For children eating table foods Free Interpreter Foods that may help to thicken or loosen stools: Services Thickeners Looseners (may result in more liquid • In the hospital, ask (constipating foods) stool) your child’s nurse. • From outside the White rice Pears, peaches, apricots, kiwi, rhubarb, hospital, call the watermelon, plums, prunes toll-free Family Bananas Raw fruit Interpreting Line 1-866-583-1527. Tell Applesauce Leafy greens the interpreter the Peanut butter (smooth) Fruit juice (especially prune, pear, cherry, apple) name or extension you need. Cheese
White pasta, white breads Foods and drinks high in sugar
Pretzels and saltine Carbonated and caffeine containing beverages crackers
Tapioca pudding Sugar-free foods and drinks made with sugar alcohol substitutes (sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol)
Make sure your child gets enough liquids It is very important to make sure your child is drinking enough liquid (whether they have diarrhea or if they are constipated). For your child’s weight of: ______, they need to take in ______ounces per day. In some cases, your child’s healthcare provider may recommend a soluble fiber supplement for stool management. This may be used, separately, or with other bowel medications or treatments. Talk with your provider if you have questions about this.
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 Family Resource Center at 206-987-2201. 8/18 This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children’s. However, your child’s needs are unique. Before you act PE2915 or rely upon this information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider. © 2018 Seattle Children’s, Seattle, Washington. All rights reserved. Reconstructive Pelvic Medicine 2 of 2