Patient's question:
At 38 months, my baby's bowel movements are dry and require some thought. He shows signs of needing to poop, but when I ask him, he becomes confused. Whenever he tries to strain to have a bowel movement, he experiences mild coughing. What could be the reason? Is there any medication that can help alleviate this?Doctor's answer:
If a child's stool is hard and difficult to pass, it may indicate constipation. The main focus should be on adjusting the child's diet. If the stool is severely hard, medication such as lactulose can be used during the acute phase to relieve constipation, while probiotics can also be considered.Recommendation: Eat more foods that are beneficial for bowel movements, such as sweet potatoes and bananas.
Most cases are due to an imbalance in the intestinal flora or a lack of fresh vegetables in the diet. Of course, when introducing complementary foods, it's advisable to include more high-fiber foods.