How to Give an Enema and Suppository to Your Child

According To- How to Give an Enema (and Suppository) to Your Child , People don’t like to talk about poop (or stool), but it’s inevitable when you have kids. Parents often worry about their child’s bowel habits, what’s normal and what’s not.

People don't like to talk about poop (or stool), but it's inevitable when you have kids. Parents often worry about their child's bowel habits, what's normal and what's not. If drinking more fluids and eating more fiber hasn't helped to relieve constipation, you may consider an enema or rectal suppository. For children who can't take oral medications, a suppository is a small, solid capsule, and an enema is a liquid medication. Children with occasional constipation who have not responded to other measures can take rectal medications through the anus into their rectum, said Swati Kolpuru, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Banner Children's. As it cleanses the lower portion of the colon, it provides immediate relief. Infants and children are not advised to use all enema and rectal suppository products to relieve constipation. Learn how to safely give your child an enema or rectal suppository and what types of rectal medications are safe for children. Can children take rectal laxatives? Constipation can be treated with over-the-counter suppositories and enema products. There are two forms of rectal laxatives that are specially designed for young children, with smaller capsules and applicators: They stimulate the bowel muscles in the intestine to prompt a bowel movement quickly by melting at body temperature in the rectum. These formulations come in bottles with tiny nozzles and work by increasing the water content in the intestines, which helps to induce bowel movements. You should contact your child's health care provider for the proper product and dosage. Do not attempt to make your own home enema solution. The osmolarity (concentration) of home enema solutions is hard to determine, which can cause complications like dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, according to Dr. Kolpuru. "Homemade enemas can only be safe if a person uses an appropriate mixture, sterile equipment, and under the guidance of a physician." Rectal laxatives: how to give them safely After reading the product instructions, explain to your child what the laxative will feel like. It may cause them discomfort, but they won't be hurt. You can distract your child with calming music or a book or toy. Pediatric enemas should be administered as follows: Warm water and soap should be used to wash your hands. Follow the instructions for preparing the liquid enema. Hold the bottle upright and remove the protective cap from the applicator. Lie your child on their left side with their left leg straight and their right leg bent. You can see the rectum by holding one buttock cheek gently to one side. Insert the applicator tip gently into the opening. Squeeze out the enema liquid gently. As you remove the bottle from the rectum, keep it compressed. You should wash your hands again with soap and warm water. If your child finds it difficult to hold the liquid in place at first, they should remain relaxed in the same position for at least 10 minutes until they feel they need to poop. Suppositories: Warm water and soap should be used to wash your hands. Hold the rounded end of the suppository close to the rectum as you unwrap it. Knees bent, your child should lie on their left side. To see the rectum, hold one buttock cheek gently to one side. Use one finger to push the suppository gently into the opening. It needs to go in about 2 centimeters (far enough so it won't slip out). As your child clenches their buttocks together, you may need to hold them together to allow their body heat to melt the suppository and deliver the medicine. You should wash your hands again with soap and warm water. The medicine may take up to 45 minutes to work, so you should stay near a toilet during this time. Should I be aware of any side effects? The majority of suppositories and enemas sold over the counter are safe when used as directed. The only side effects are diarrhea and stomach cramps. If you experience any of the following symptoms, please contact your doctor for medical advice: Bowel movements are not produced by the rectal laxative. Rectal bleeding is noticed. There is vomiting in your child. There is severe stomach pain and bloating in your child. The takeaway Rectal laxatives designed for young children can provide relief from constipation. Consult your child's health care provider first for the correct dosage and product. To help keep things running smoothly, make sure your child gets plenty of fluids and fiber each day. Do you need help treating constipation? You can reserve a spot at an urgent care near you by clicking here. Find a pediatrician near you and schedule an appointment.

If drinking more fluids and eating more fiber hasn’t helped to relieve constipation, you may consider an enema or rectal suppository.

For children who can’t take oral medications, a suppository is a small, solid capsule, and an enema is a liquid medication.

Children with occasional constipation who have not responded to other measures can take rectal medications through the anus into their rectum, said Swati Kolpuru, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Banner Children’s. As it cleanses the lower portion of the colon, it provides immediate relief.

Infants and children are not advised to use all enema and rectal suppository products to relieve constipation.

Learn how to safely give your child an enema or rectal suppository and what types of rectal medications are safe for children.

Can children take rectal laxatives?

Constipation can be treated with over-the-counter suppositories and enema products.

There are two forms of rectal laxatives that are specially designed for young children, with smaller capsules and applicators:

They stimulate the bowel muscles in the intestine to prompt a bowel movement quickly by melting at body temperature in the rectum.

These formulations come in bottles with tiny nozzles and work by increasing the water content in the intestines, which helps to induce bowel movements.

You should contact your child’s health care provider for the proper product and dosage. Do not attempt to make your own home enema solution.

The osmolarity (concentration) of home enema solutions is hard to determine, which can cause complications like dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, according to Dr. Kolpuru. “Homemade enemas can only be safe if a person uses an appropriate mixture, sterile equipment, and under the guidance of a physician.”

Rectal laxatives: how to give them safely

After reading the product instructions, explain to your child what the laxative will feel like. It may cause them discomfort, but they won’t be hurt.

  • You can distract your child with calming music or a book or toy.
  • Pediatric enemas should be administered as follows:
  • Warm water and soap should be used to wash your hands.
  • Follow the instructions for preparing the liquid enema.
  • Hold the bottle upright and remove the protective cap from the applicator.
  • Lie your child on their left side with their left leg straight and their right leg bent.
  • You can see the rectum by holding one buttock cheek gently to one side.
  • Insert the applicator tip gently into the opening.
  • Squeeze out the enema liquid gently.
  • As you remove the bottle from the rectum, keep it compressed.
  • You should wash your hands again with soap and warm water.
  • If your child finds it difficult to hold the liquid in place at first, they should remain relaxed in the same position for at least 10 minutes until they feel they need to poop. Read Also-Crohn’s Disease and Colitis: Why It’s Crucial to Get the Right Diagnosis?

Suppositories:

  • Warm water and soap should be used to wash your hands.
  • Hold the rounded end of the suppository close to the rectum as you unwrap it.
  • Knees bent, your child should lie on their left side.
  • To see the rectum, hold one buttock cheek gently to one side. Use one finger to push the suppository gently into the opening. It needs to go in about 2 centimeters (far enough so it won’t slip out).
  • As your child clenches their buttocks together, you may need to hold them together to allow their body heat to melt the suppository and deliver the medicine.
  • You should wash your hands again with soap and warm water.
  • The medicine may take up to 45 minutes to work, so you should stay near a toilet during this time.

Should I be aware of any side effects?

  • The majority of suppositories and enemas sold over the counter are safe when used as directed. The only side effects are diarrhea and stomach cramps.
  • If you experience any of the following symptoms, please contact your doctor for medical advice:
  • Bowel movements are not produced by the rectal laxative.
  • Rectal bleeding is noticed.
  • There is vomiting in your child.
  • There is severe stomach pain and bloating in your child.

The takeaway

Rectal laxatives designed for young children can provide relief from constipation. Consult your child’s health care provider first for the correct dosage and product.

To help keep things running smoothly, make sure your child gets plenty of fluids and fiber each day.

Do you need help treating constipation?

You can reserve a spot at an urgent care near you by clicking here.

Find a pediatrician near you and schedule an appointment. Recommended-New Baby Seven Sleep Tips for Exhausted Parents