Healthy Digestion For Children: What You Should Know

The human digestive system holds the process that facilitates the supply of the body with the nutrients it needs. Due to a variety of reasons, this system may malfunction leading to a myriad of problems. This is a scenario that runs across all people their ages notwithstanding. However, research has shown that more and more children are acquiring these digestive problems as compared to the adults. Now, most children may not be aware of what is causing the discomforts thus shifting the responsibility on you the parent. This means that you should be fully acquainted with how your child’s digestive system works in order for you to be able to make the most plausible decisions that will help avert further or any complications. Let's discuss the factors that promote Healthy Digestion For Children.

This is a guest post by Evlin Symon, an experienced health writer. We hope that you find it enjoyable and informative.

Some very important facts that you should always have at your fingertips about your child’s digestion include:

1. Too much food can overload it

A child may not be able to tell when it’s time to stop eating, more so if it is his favorite sweet or meal on the table. This can end up with him eating food that that is too much for his little system to digest fully. In addition, they may not fully chew his food thus making the process digestion hard. These two habits will lead to constipation. To avert this problem, ensure the child eats small amounts of food at each sitting and chews the food fully. They can always eat a thousand and two times in a day if they want, but should never eat food for five people in one sitting.

2. It requires high water intake

Just like you need to drink eight glasses of water a day to keep you hydrate, your child also needs lots of water in order to keep digestion smooth. The reason why most kids suffer from constipation is because they are usually dehydrated. This is especially common in children who absolutely loathe the taste of water. This should however not be an excuse for going to the doctor. You should try to entice the child to drink water by whatever means.

3. It can be affected by stress or anxiety

When children are stressed, they react in a whole different way from us adults. For instance, when a child is moved to a new environment and is anxious he or she may get constipated. This is why it is important to teach your child about the various ways of relieving stress and lifestyle fitness. You may, for instance, encourage them to go out and play or exercise. Physical activity will help them release the stressors as well as improve their bowel movement. But more importantly, take a keen interest in them in order to identify any mood changes. This will help you interfere and help them release the stressors before it is too late.

4. It can react to some foods

At one point, you may realize that your child keeps passing gas and is crying a lot. This could be a sign that they have a stomach problem. Now this problem could be triggered by an allergy. With this knowledge, you will be able to monitor closely the foods that cause these problems. This way, you will be able to keep your child away from these foods.

5. Should be emptied on a daily basis

Now, the digestive system starts from the mouth and ends up in the rectum. Therefore, if your child is eating, she should also be passing stool on a daily basis. According to psychology, there is a point in the development of the child that they get pleasure from withholding stool. This could lead to major stomach upsets in the child. You should, therefore, try to ensure the child passes stool regularly by ensuring the drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in fiber.

Unlike adults, children may be unable to voice their digestive problems. This means that you as a parent will need to be very keen in order to decipher any upcoming problems. This calls for the avid understanding of how their system works. This way, you will be able to identify any digestive problems and, if necessary, get expert intervention.

References:

https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/health-center/

http://www.webmd.com/children/digestion-in-children-11/slideshow-kids-digestion

About the Author:

Evlin Symon is an experienced health writer who has been at this for more than 5 Years. She specializes in health, fitness, weight loss, pregnancy, and beauty. She loves to read and write, and she hopes to write a novel someday. When she is not writing, she can be usually found hitting the Gym. Follow her on Facebook for daily inspiration.

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