How to treat constipation in 2.5 year old child. - #31850

The symptoms you describe—multiple, very small, hard stools and straining—are indicative of constipation, which is a common issue in toddlers. In Ayurveda, this condition is often related to an imbalance of the Vata dosha, specifically the Apana Vayu. When Vata is aggravated, its qualities of being dry and rough can lead to the stool becoming hard and difficult to pass.

Here are some general Ayurvedic principles and remedies often recommended for this condition.

Why the Triphala Syrup May Not Be Working While Triphala is a well-known and effective Ayurvedic remedy for constipation, its suitability and efficacy depend on the individual’s constitution (Prakriti), the specific imbalance, and the correct dosage.

Dosage and Formulation: The standard dose on some products may not be right for your son’s specific situation. A practitioner can determine the correct dose and frequency for a child.

Imbalance Correction: Simply taking a laxative, even a gentle one like Triphala, may not address the root cause of the Vata imbalance. The treatment needs to be holistic, including dietary and lifestyle changes.

General Ayurvedic Approach for

Constipation in Toddlers Ayurveda focuses on a holistic approach that includes diet, lifestyle, and gentle therapies to restore balance.

Dietary Adjustments:

Focus on Warm, Cooked Foods: Avoid cold, dry, or raw foods, which can aggravate Vata. Opt for warm, well-cooked meals.

Increase Healthy Fats: Ghee (clarified butter) is highly recommended in Ayurveda for its lubricating properties. A small amount of cow’s ghee added to warm milk or food can help soften stools.

Hydration: Ensure your son drinks plenty of warm water throughout the day. Dehydration is a major cause of hard stools.

Incorporate Fiber-rich Foods: Introduce gentle, high-fiber foods that are easy to digest, such as soaked raisins or figs (anjeer), cooked prunes, papaya, and ripe bananas.

Lifestyle Changes:

Regular Routine: Establishing a consistent daily routine for meals, sleep, and bowel movements can help regulate the body’s natural rhythms and support proper digestion.

Abdominal Massage: Gently massaging your son’s belly in a clockwise, circular motion with warm sesame oil can stimulate bowel movements and relieve discomfort.

Physical Activity: Encourage your son to be physically active. Playtime and movement help stimulate the digestive system.

Herbal Remedies

Triphala: While you have already used it.

Fennel (Saunf): Fennel water can be soothing for the digestive system. Boil a teaspoon of fennel seeds in water, cool it, and give a few sips to your son.

Milk and Ghee: A traditional remedy is to give a glass of warm milk with half a teaspoon of cow’s ghee at bedtime.

Anjeer (Figs): Soaking a few dried figs in water overnight and giving them to your son in the morning can be very effective due to their high fiber content.

Hlo anupam, Thanks for your question.

Constipation ( vibandh) in children is distressing and is reason for increased patental concern. Normally vata nad kafa Prakriti are prone to hard stools. In infants , vibandha can result from faulty, unfrequent feeding of the baby and an improper dietary regimen of mother leading to stanya dushti. Vibandha is a disease of Pakwashaya which is vatasthana, and involvement of agni is invariably seen in vibandha. Hence the treatment principles consist as follows.

•Drugs should be snigdha, agni vardhaka and tone improving. •can advice any calcium supplements • other general drugs •stay hydrated • give fibrous food • add virechana drugs

Oral treatment - 1) syrul amlycure 5ml twice a day after food 2) syrup trphala 5 ml twice a day after food 3) Bontone granules 5 gm twice a day with milk

Advice - 1) plenty of water and fibrous rich diet 2) green leafy vegetables 3) avoid excess usage of dry and junk food items

2)

Arvindasava - 5ml-0-5ml with water Give mashed banana apple mashed soaked raisins moong dal kichdi soup As for now avoid triphala and focus on foods which improves gut motality naturally

Hey anupam …it’s indigestion not constipation…hard consistency and sometimes no stool paasing is main in constipation or kabz…it’s due to MANDAGNI so please treat exact cause .

Consume worm water atleast 2 litres per day for toddlers .

Bel murabba=1 piece take early morning regularly Dadimavleha=1/2 TSP at bed time…

Consume …curd /Butter milk and banana…

It’s can be cured eaisly

Hello dear.

Your son is facing indigestion which is leading to constipation.

Keep a watch on his liquid intake. Prefer light khichadi or sabji that is in curry form for dinner. Adding fibers in the dinner will also help. Add hing (asafoetida) in the meals. Drinking hot water at night with a small amount of jaggery and ghee 2tsp will help.

Tab. Ampachak Vati 1 tab twice a day before food Bhaskar Lavan Churna 1 tsp Mix with rice

I would not suggest Triphala. Rather soak half a tsp of isabgol in a glass of water and give it at bed time.

Patient: Male, 2 years 4 months
Previous Treatment:Himalaya Triphala Syrup (BID x 15 days) - No relie

Medicines (Oral): 1. Haritaki Churna (e.g., Baidyanath): ¼ tsp (0.5g) mixed in warm water or honey, BID after meals. 2. Anjeer (Figs) 2-3 soaked overnight in warm water/milk, consume pulp daily morning. (Fiber-rich, softens stool) 3.Sukumara Ghrita 2.5 ml with warm milk, HS (bedtime). (Nourishes gut, lubricates intestines)

Adjuncts: Abdominal Massage: Gentle clockwise with warm sesame oil, 5-10 min daily evening.
Fennel Water: 1 tsp boiled seeds in ½ cup water, 2-3 tsp TID. (Relieves gas)

Diet: High-fiber fruits (papaya, apple puree), warm fluids, avoid processed foods.
Duration: 7-10 days; reassess. Monitor for allergies. Follow-up if no improvement in 3 days.

1.Draksha avaleha 1/4 tsp once daily after breakfast 2.Balghuti / Bal Amrit 5 ml once daily with warm water 3.Erand oil-lubricate the anus before defecation

Diet: Stewed prunes, soaked raisins, mashed papaya Ghee in warm milk at bedtime Moong daal khichdi Warm water sips throughout the day

Start with Livomyn Syrup 1/2 tsp twice daily after food with water Use cow’s ghee about 1/2 tsp twice with his meals Soak overnight raisins black currant dry fig in warm water, morning make smoothie and feed the child. Bananas also are good for constipation. Give more of cooked green leafy vegetables in form of soups or mixed in dough and prepared rotis / dal / Avipattikar churan 1/2 tsp at night with honey.

HELLO ANUPAM,

Your son (2 years 4 months) is passing multiple small stools with straining, but not getting full evacuation. In Ayurveda this is called vibandha (constipation), mainly due to -Agni mandya (weak digestion/metabolism)-> food is not digested properly, stool becomes hard. -Vata prakopa (aggravated vata intestines)-> dryness + irregular peristalsis-> stools come in bits -Poor diet/lifestyle habits-> excess dry/junk food, low fiber, low water, irregular meals, stress with potty training.

Because stools are coming out in bits (like small balls), it suggests pakvashaya vata imbalance.

TREATMENT GOALS -Soften stools= make them easy to pass -Improve agni (digestion)= so food is properly digested, reducing gas and dryness -Balance vata= by giving unctous (Snigdha), warm, mild medicines, not harsh laxatives -establish routine= child should naturally pass stool daily, preferably in the morning -prevent complications= like anal fissue, poor appetite, irritability

INTERNAL MEDICATIONS

1) SUKUMAR GHRITA= 1/4 tsp with warm milk at bedtime for 4 weeks =mild laxative, nourishes intestines, balances vata-pitta, safe for children

2) GANDHARVAHASTADI TAILA= 5 drops with lukewarm milk at night (once/week)-strictly not to be given daily max 2 times/week =gentle cleansing of bowels, removes dryness

3) DRAKSHA AVALEHA= 1/2 tsp twice daily after meals =improves digestion, acts as mild laxative, tasty and acceptable to children

EXTERNAL THERAPIES

1) OIL MASSAGE= daily massage with warm BALA TAILA =special focus= abdomen (clockwise circles), lower back, legs =calms vata, improves peristalsis, keeps child calm

2) NAVEL OILING =2-3 drops of warm castor oil in navel at night =softens stools naturally

3) WARM BATH after massage-> relaxes muscles, reduce sstraining

DIET -warm cow’s milk with 1/2 tsp ghee at night -Fruits= ripe papaya, soaked raisins (2-3 overnight), figs, pears, chiknoo, stewed apple -Vegetables=bottle gourd, ridge gourd, pumpkin, spinach -Whole wheat, rice, moong dal, khichdi -soups with little ghee

AVOID -biscuits, bread, bakery, chips, junk foods -cold drinks, packaged juices -excess banana, potatoes, fried food

FLUIDS -warm wate frequently -avoid icy/cold water

LIFESTYLE -For toddlers, yoga is not practical, but parents/family can help -Toilet routine= sit the child on potty/commode daily after breakfast or dinner (not forceful , gentle encouragement) -Active play= encourage running, outdoor play-> improves digestion -Massage and warm bath daily

HOME REMEDIES -soaked raisins= 2-3 soaked overnight-> give pulp in morning -papaya or stewed apple daily -ghee in milk= 1/2 tsp ghee in 1/2 cup warm milk at bedtime -honey water = 1/2 tsp honey in lukewarm water in morning

-Constipation in children is common and usually functional not serious -The key is soft diet, routine, mild formulations, and oil massage -Avoid strong medicines - they aggravate vata in children -Be patient= improvement is gradual

DO FOLLOW

HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL

THANK YOU

DR. MAITRI ACHARYA

When a young child is passing multiple small stools with straining, it often indicates digestive discomfort which needs a thoughtful approach. While Triphala is commonly used for supporting bowel movements, its not always effective in kids. We need to focus on balancing Vata dosha which often contributes to such symptoms in children.

Firstly, revisiting dietary habits can have a significant impact. Ensure your child is hydrated by providing adequate water throughout the day. Offer warm water which aids digestion. Complement this with a diet rich in fiber, including foods like cooked vegetables, especially gourds, carrots, and stewed apples. Ripe bananas can also be particularly beneficial for softening stools in children.

You might want to reconsider the use of Triphala syrup continually if it’s not showing results. Instead, try incorporating a natural ghee and milk mixture. Warm half a cup of milk and add a teaspoon of ghee, offering this before bedtime. This mixture is soothing and can help regulate bowel movements as ghee acts as a natural lubricant for the intestines, promoting easier passage of stools.

As children are very active, encourage physical activities suitable for your child’s age which often helps stimulate the digestive system.

To further assist his digestion, you might consider introducing Hing (asafoetida) in meals; a small pinch added to his dishes helps to ease digestion naturally.

Lastly, incorporating a gentle massage routine may also be of benefit. Using warm sesame oil, gently massage your child’s abdomen in circular motions, which may assist in relieving constipation. If symptoms persist, it’s crucial to consult with a pediatrician to rule out any underlying concerns that necessitate medical intervention.

Constipation in young children, like your son’s experience, is a common concern and addressing the imbalance in his system can be quite beneficial. In Siddha-Ayurveda, we would focus on balancing the Vata dosha and ensuring that Agni, or digestive fire, is functioning well. First, consider including a small quantity of warm ghee in his meals; about half a teaspoon mixed in with his food can aid digestion and ease stool passage.

Next, optimize his diet with easily digestible foods. Consider pureed fruits like ripe papaya and cooked apples, which can help naturally lubricate the intestines. Avoid heavy and dry foods like crackers or cold foods that might further aggravate Vata. Ensure he drinks adequate water throughout the day to keep his system hydrated, but avoid cold beverages that can disrupt the digestive process.

Another important step is establishing a regular bowel routine. Encourage him to sit on the potty at the same time every day, ideally after meals, to help stimulate a natural rhythm.

An Ayurvedic herbal option is to try a different approach with a mixture of ashwagandha and licorice, both known to support digestion and soothe intestinal discomfort. Mix a pinch of these powdered herbs in warm water or milk and give it to him once a day. However, consider consulting a pediatrician or health professional before introducing herbs.

Meanwhile, watch for any alarming symptoms like severe abdominal pain or vomiting, which would require immediate medical attention. If symptoms persist, seeking advice from a pediatrician is prudent. Address these suggestions alongside his current regimen for a more comprehensive approach.

HELLO ANUPAM,

managing constipation in a 2.5-year-old based on your child’s symptoms:

1. Dietary Measures Fruits: Feed ripe bananas, papaya, pomegranate, apples (steamed or grated), and pears. Unripe bananas to be avoided. Vegetables: Bottle gourd, pumpkin, spinach, carrot (steamed). Grains: Moong dal khichdi, soft rice, wheat porridge. Refines food to be avoided and not too much milk. Fats: A spoonful of ghee (½–1 tsp) daily should be added to the meals. Fluids: Sufficient warm water and milk in moderation.

2. Herbal Remedies Triphala: Replace syrup twice a day with ½–1 tsp at bedtime with warm milk or water. Skip morning doses.

Isabgol (Psyllium husk): ½ tsp at bedtime with warm milk or water. Softens stools.

Castor oil: On occasion ½ tsp warm castor oil (only if above is not relieving, and under supervision).

3. Lifestyle & Habits Abdominal massage: Gentle clockwise massage with warm sesame or coconut oil before a bath. Routine toilet time: Encourage sitting on a small potty after meals for 5–10 minutes. Play & movement: Encourage crawling, walking, or playtime to induce bowel movement.

Important Note: Prevent strong purgatives regularly; gentle methods are safer in toddlers. If your child has blood in stool, intense abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever, consult a pediatrician at once.

THANK YOU

DR. HEMANSHU MEHTA