Seasonal Digestive System Disorders
It is not surprising to learn that seasonal digestive system disorders are so prevalent, especially during the holiday season in November and December. Especially the lower gastrointestinal tract seems to be affected and bouts of constipation and other digestive system disorders are frequently sending sufferers to the medicine aisle of the local supermarket. Rare is the celebrant who packs a bottle of prune juice and a pack of high fiber crackers in an effort to remain regular!
While adults know that there are viable options to forego seasonal problem with respect to their gastrointestinal health and wellbeing yet more often than not choose to simply ignore the warnings and indulge, there is another segment of the population which is not so fortunate: infants. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly infants and young toddlers also appear to suffer from seasonal digestive system disorders and when it comes to counteracting sudden bouts of constipation, prune juice and high fiber snacks are usually not an options since the former is not readily accepted by toddlers while the latter is most certainly not eaten voluntarily.
The cause of the problem may be found in the older infants’ willingness to explore new food choices and even if small quantities are eaten, they sometimes present the first time that a certain type of food is introduced. In addition to the foregoing, the food choices available at the holiday tables are inevitably richer and fattier than what is usually found to be the family’s lunch and dinner fare. Much of this fare is offered to the attendant child in her or his high chair and before long the older infant or young toddler may have ingested more fat and protein than is common for them.
Another factor to consider is the change of the infant’s routine. Little children are creatures of habit and when changes in routines occur, some may be so severely affected that they may become associated with seasonal digestive system disorders simply because of the stress they are presenting to the child. In other words, if you add stress and a sudden cornucopia of new food choices, the odds are good that constipation is only a day away!
While it may be tempting to give junior a smorgasbord on his high chair tray, be sensible and instead opt for a bland version of your meal. Do not offer buttered beans but instead scoop out some beans before the butter is added. The same is true with the heavy cream in the mashed potatoes – get a scoop of it for baby before the heavy cream finds its way into the bowl. Chunks of turkey and ham should be scraped clear of sauces and glazes, and if you are feeding rolls, opt for the whole wheat ones. Make sure you bring food to which your child is accustomed and do not overdo the new food choices. Remember, introducing one or two new food items max per meal is sufficient. Any more, and you will most likely face a cranky infant with constipation.
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