The health of a child's digestive system is closely related to their growth and development. This is influenced by the absorption of nutrients needed for the immune system and growth of the little one. Therefore, for optimal growth and development, parents need to understand how to prevent children's digestive disorders.
After birth, the baby's digestive system will continue to develop. The baby's body functions will try to start working independently, including in processing and absorbing the nutrients needed for activity, endurance, and growth and development.
Various Digestive Disorders in Children
When your little one is fussy, has trouble sleeping, cries more often than usual, vomits, and often urinates, it could be that his digestion is disturbed. There are several types of digestive disorders that are often experienced by children, including:
- BloatedComplaints of flatulence are often found in children who have just started eating solid foods or complementary foods to breast milk (MPASI). This condition can be influenced by the food you eat or because of the bacteria in your digestive tract.
- DiarrheaDiarrhea in children is generally caused by rotavirus. This virus often attacks babies aged 6-24 months. If your little one has diarrhea, try to give him enough drinking water to avoid dehydration.
- ConstipationConstipation usually occurs during the transition from exclusive breastfeeding to solid food. This condition is characterized by several symptoms, such as difficulty in defecating and dry-looking stools.
- Stomach acid diseaseYour little one can experience stomach acid disease which is characterized by the frequency of salivating more often than usual. To prevent this, you can hold him in an upright position after eating. This position also helps her burp and reduces her chances of vomiting.
- Milk or food allergyWhen experiencing a milk or food allergy, your little one may experience redness of the skin, stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting. If your baby has allergies, you should immediately consult a doctor to prevent a more serious condition from occurring.
Tips for Maintaining Your Little One's Digestive Health
In order for your little one to grow up to be a healthy child, it is important for parents to understand how to take care of their little one's digestive health. Here are some things to do:
- multiply intake fiberOne way to maintain your little one's digestive health is to provide fiber foods. When mixed with water, fiber will make the digestive tract work optimally. Fiber can be obtained from breast milk, formula milk, or fruits and vegetables.
- Increase fluidFluids play an important role in maintaining the health and smoothness of your baby's digestive system. The liquid referred to here can be in the form of breast milk, formula milk, or mineral water. When the body lacks fluids, your little one will become dehydrated and at risk for constipation.
- Keeping the body and food cleanIndigestion can be caused by viruses and bacteria. Therefore, make sure you always maintain the cleanliness of the food given to your little one. In addition, the cleanliness of the child's body must also be considered so as not to be infected with germs and bacteria that cause disease.
- Inviting children to exerciseExercise is not only important for adults, but also for your children. Exercise can help maintain a healthy heart, lungs, immune system, and digestive system. Any physical activity will stimulate the activity of the digestive tract, thus helping your little one to digest food properly.
In addition to the things above, you can also supplement the nutritional needs of children aged 1 to 5 years by providing formula milk that contains fish oil, prebiotics, as well as vitamins and minerals. These substances are important for the body because they can support the health of the digestive system and its growth.
In the digestive system, fish oil which contains omega-3 plays a role in helping digest food, while preventing constipation. Prebiotics such as FOS:GOS affect the survival of probiotics or good bacteria that help the digestive process. While vitamins and minerals are needed to help absorb food after passing through the digestive process.
Digestive disorders can inhibit the growth and development of children. On the other hand, if digestion is smooth, nutrient absorption will be maximized, so that growth and development will also run optimally. If your little one seems to be experiencing protracted symptoms of indigestion or if indigestion is accompanied by other symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
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