Oh, Poop!
What the heck does poop have to do with myofunctional therapy? A lot, actually. I work with a ton of kids who struggle with eating, whether it’s from a physical inability to swallow properly or something like a food texture sensitivity - regardless, if a child is backed up they are not going to want to eat. Or, they might be willing to eat softer, processed foods, but will completely avoid the healthier foods that have more roughage. Okay, let’s talk strategies!
Plan to poop
Make sure your child has time (in the morning is best) to sit on the toilet. Even if they don’t go regularly at first, just giving them the opportunity is helpful.
Push water
Dehydration is a main contributor to constipation, so make sure to offer and encourage water throughout the day.
Morning is a great time to give them a big glass of water, it can help get the bowels moving and it rehydrates them after not drinking overnight.
Avoid dairy! Your child may love the taste of milk, but it is not your friend if you’re struggling to poop.
Get aligned
Go visit a local chiropractor. I could write an entire blog post about all the reasons a chiropractor can help, from pelvic alignment and nerve communication, to stress relief and postural issues, but a chiropractor can really help relieve constipation!
Food choices
As a rule I encourage parents not to feed their kids processed junk foods (although I know it’s hard if you have a picky eater!), this is going to have an impact not only on their bowels but their gut and overall inflammation.
Foods that prompt the growth of good bacteria in the gut are helpful, such as garlic, onions, bananas, and whole grains.
Support your child’s gut microbiome with foods rich in probiotics like fermented foods or live culture yogurt (or you could also use a supplement).
Celebrate!
Once your child poops, make it a celebration! Don’t be shy to talk about bowel movements.
Get the children’s book “Everyone Poops” by Taro Gomi - it’s a funny discussion on how we all poop!
Talk with them about how it means their body is working hard to get rid of toxins, and how good their belly is going to feel when things are moving regularly.
I know it can feel frustrating and scary if your kid isn’t pooping - I get it. You’re not alone, constipation is an issue for 1 in 5 kids, but there is help for you! Utilize these resources and see if you can get your kiddo back on track, but if you’re looking for more information one of my favorite resources is www.unconstipatedkids.com - check them out!
Thanks for reading, and I’d love to hear what worked for you and your kiddo!
You’ve got this - let’s go make some Myo Magic!