Is It Safe to Use a Stool Softener for Kids?

When kids grow up, passing stools can sometimes become difficult for them. Their stool gets hardened due to a lack of moisture or other reasons, and constipation becomes a real problem to tackle. Kids can also feel stress and pain due to this, and suddenly, passing stools becomes quite a challenge. To remedy this, there are certain stool softeners for infants that can ease the stress on their digestive system and help them excrete in a more comfortable manner. But before you buy a natural stool softener for kids, let’s ask ourselves a million-dollar question – “Are they safe?” and “Are there any side effects?”

To get answers to these questions, let’s quickly read the following article.

Can You Use a Stool Softener for Child Constipation?

Of course you can! Stool softeners are medications that help with constipation (1). These are just tiny capsules of glycerine that can ease the stress being faced in the rectum. However, stool softener should not be given to babies less than 1-year-old. Before using them, it is important that you understand why children face constipation problems.

Most of the time, constipation occurs because your child has less moisture in his waste material, which doesn’t help in passing it easily. The intestines try to retain the maximum amount of water inside the body. Some substances or conditions may suck out any water inside the stool passing through the intestines, making them dry and rough. The muscles inside the child’s lower intestines or rectum can get stretched because they are holding large amounts of hardened stool. The stretching of the rectum makes it weaker and harder for the child to pass stools. Since they aren’t able to understand what’s happening at that young age, kids become nervous when they have to poop and will withhold it in, which only makes the condition worse.

The frequency of motion passage varies from multiple times in a day to once or even once a week. The symptoms of constipation begin to appear if your child hasn’t passed motion as per his routine and appears to be strained while defecating. He may also complain of stomach ache and begin getting really fussy or irritable. The other signs of constipation include tummy fullness, passing gas, refusal to eat, vomiting or dark, hard and/or blood-tinged stools. Infants demonstrate a spasmodic drawing up of their legs during defecation, which acts as a sign of the same.

However, stool softeners make work easier for children because they add that extra bit of moisture required. They are mostly filled with glycerine that is safe to be injected into the body and lubricates the child’s anal lining when it is placed inside the rectum. There are many other natural stool softeners for toddlers that can be tried out and used. Also, foods rich in fibre or some medicines may help to manually push stool outside by forming bulk.

It is generally advised to use these stool softeners after consulting a paediatrician so that they can medically eliminate any side effects that your child might face due to other health concerns.

Stool Softeners for Children You Can Try

There are a lot of stool softeners that you can try to administer to your child in case they are facing problems defecating. By giving them these, they will be able to poop much more easily and alleviate any of the fears that they face. Here is a list of some of the most effective stool softeners that you can provide:

1. Natural Stool Softener for Toddlers

The first and most effective way to help kids overcome their stool fears is to provide them with a natural option. There are many natural stool softeners that toddlers can consume that will help them push stool outside manually and strengthen the muscles in their excretory system. The most effective natural softener for any sort of constipation is a high-fibre diet.

A natural softener includes foods packed with fibre, such as veggies and fruits, cereals high in fibre, whole-grain bread, beans, and legumes (2). Fluid intake is also extremely crucial at this young age. Your child must drink a lot of water along with milk. This helps loosen the stools and also aids in proper digestion over time.

Another natural option is to mix Epsom salt with water. It helps cure constipation and can be used only in children older than 6. Roughly 2-4 spoons of Epsom salt is ideal for a child over 12, while the maximum dosage for those between 6 and 11 must be 1-2 teaspoons.

2. Suppository Stool Softeners

These stool softeners can be purchased at a local pharmacy. However, it is important that you consult a doctor and get a prescription before you proceed with them.

Suppository stool softeners are tiny rocket-shaped capsules that are full of glycerine. They can be inserted into the child’s rectum and will lubricate their inner anal lining (3). The hardened faeces will also get lubricated and mitigate or eliminate the child’s pain when they defecate. While suppository softeners are safe, as mentioned before, it is always better to consult a doctor to know how long you can keep administering them.

3. Ayurvedic Stool Softeners

Another good alternative for anyone who wants to go the natural way is using ayurvedic stool softeners. Ayurvedic herbs can be given to your child mixed with water or any other liquid substance to help them get rid of constipation. Herbs such as Triphala Churna, Gandharva Haritaki, Sat Isabgol, Avipattikara, and many more can help treat constipation. However, you need to be careful so that there are no side effects.

Alternatively, you can mix Abhyarishta along with water two times a day and let your child consume the same. It is a safe mix that will help your child feel more comfortable. There are no major side effects that will affect them.

4. Homoeopathic Stool Softeners

Another effective way to cure constipation is homoeopathic stool softeners. These medicines are natural and do not have any effect on your child. However, it is important that you consult a specialist before you go ahead and administer it to your child.

One of the homoeopathic medicines that is generally prescribed is Alumnia 30 if your child has a lot of strain while passing soft stools. They can also be given to kids who complain of hard stools.

Bryonia Alba 30 is another medicine that will help loosen the hard stools. If there is obstinate constipation and no result while defecating, you can administer Paraffinium 30.

5. Herbal Remedies for Constipation

Homemade constipation remedies are the best way to go about to help kids get rid of their constipation issues. Prune juice is one of the best home remedies you can administer to your kid. It is a natural laxative which helps children release soft stools.

Are There Any Side Effects of Stool Softeners on Children?

Although laxatives or oral stool softeners are not absorbed by the bloodstream, there may appear some side effects, which are relatively rare. Stomach cramps, nausea, and bloating are some possible side effects of stool softeners (4).

In rare cases, if any ingredient in stool softeners reacts in a child’s body, it may cause serious effects, like severe vomiting, abdominal cramps, body rash, fever, etc.

FAQs

1. Are stool softeners safe on a daily or alternate basis?

Parents should avoid relying on oral stool softener medications on a daily basis. They should avoid the prolonged see of the medication for their child as it develops an intolerance of the drug. Instead, parents should feed their children plenty of fibre and hydrating foods to maintain bowel movements.

2. What are some alternatives to stool softeners for children? 

An alternative for baby stool softener home remedies is rubbing and massaging your child’s belly, as this can ease any discomfort. You can also bathe your kid in warm water and this will relax the muscles in the rectum.

3. Can stool softeners react with children’s medications?

It is possible for active ingredients in stool softeners to react with the medications. Therefore, parents must be cautious when giving medications and stool softeners to their children and should give them both at the same time. Parents are advised to consult a paediatrician to check whether the child is having constipation or need a stool softener (5).

4. What is the best stool softener for kids?

The best stool softener for kids includes natural foods like papaya, banana, apple, and milk to treat constipation (6).

Ensure that your child is comfortable with whatever medicine you give him because some medicines can cause an allergic reaction. Ensure you consult a doctor before you go ahead and provide him with any medicine just to be on the safer side.

References/Resources:

1. Stool Softener; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/23274-stool-softener

2. Gardner. J. E; Foods That Help Relieve Constipation in Kids; Children’s Hospital of The King’s of Daughters; https://www.chkd.org/blog/foods-that-help-relieve-constipation-in-kids/; January 2023

3. Suppositories how to use them; University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/display-pil/pil-suppositories-how-to-use-them–6294/

4. Stool Softeners; MedlinePlus; https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601113.html

5. Are Laxatives Safe For Children?; Nationwide Children’s; https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2015/03/are-laxatives-safe-for-children

6. Foods for Constipation; Johns Hopkins Medicine; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/foods-for-constipation

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