The Kids Aren't Pooping!

Happy Monday, 8%ers!

It’s no secret that kids face their fair share of digestive challenges, and constipation is one of the most common, and uncomfortable, issues they encounter. Whether it’s due to dietary habits, hydration struggles, or simply the natural process of growing and developing, a backed-up gut can lead to discomfort, stress, and other unpleasant symptoms for everybody.

This week, we’re taking a closer look at the factors that contribute to constipation in kids and offering actionable solutions to help keep their digestive systems functioning properly. Whether it’s dietary tweaks or hydration strategies, these tips can help keep your little ones feeling their best.

Causes of Constipation

Constipation is common at any age but especially prevalent in children due to developmental, dietary, and behavioral factors. Let’s explore the most frequent causes.

Microbiome Development
The beneficial bacteria that are found in our gut that help us break down foods A child doesn't fully mature until around three years of age, making younger children more prone to digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. Although it is normal to see an underdeveloped gut microbiome even after the age of three there are many things that can be done to speed this process up, more on that later.

Insufficient Dietary Fiber
Fiber is essential for maintaining healthy digestion, yet many children fall short of meeting their daily requirements. According to the CDC, half of American children don’t eat a daily vegetable, and one in three skips fruit altogether—a far cry compared to the NHS’s recommendation of five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. This fiber deficiency often leads to slower digestion and harder stools.

Insufficient Exercise
Physical activity plays a crucial role in gut motility. This is because although our intestines are pretty effective at pushing things through, sometimes a little help comes in handy. Any type of physical activity like walking, running and other sports are enough to shake things up a bit, ultimately making it easier for food to pass through. Unfortunately, many children do not meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise. Does that even surprise you? Probably not. Most kids don't build tree houses or play in the mud anymore… well they do but in Minecraft!

Poor Hydration
Staying hydrated is essential for proper digestion, yet a Harvard study found that over half of children and adolescents do not drink enough water. Dehydration will cause your body to reabsorb water by pulling it from the colon, resulting in harder stools and difficulty passing them. Ensuring proper hydration is a key step in addressing constipation because your body won't need to dry out stool in order to stay hydrated.

Toilet Training Stress
Potty training can be a stressful milestone for kids, sometimes causing them to hold in bowel movements longer than they should. This behavior can result in compacted stools and lead to constipation over time.

Introducing New Foods
Transitioning from liquid to solid foods often triggers constipation in younger children. This is due to both the lower water content of solid foods and the gut’s need to adapt to breaking down new types of food. For example, under-ripe bananas, a common food for toddlers, are particularly challenging for the digestive system and can worsen constipation if introduced too quickly.

Solutions to (Most of) These Causes

The good news is that many of these issues can be mitigated through small, intentional changes. Here are the most effective solutions.

Increase Dietary Fiber:
Encouraging your child to consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can significantly improve digestion. The NHS recommends five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, with portions adjusted for children’s needs. Gradually increasing fiber intake is key to avoiding digestive upset during the transition. Although we can't absorb fiber our gut microbiome can, so apart from maintaining regularity it will also feed and fortify the developing gut.

Exercise More: Complicated problems usually require simple solutions. Exercising is about as simple as it gets. Your kids should be playing outside and moving around every single day… and so should you, the parent! We often focus all of our attention on our kids but sometimes overlook our own health and wellbeing. This is your friendly reminder to get out there and kick it with the kids!

The OmniBlue Solution:

1. Hydration: Proper hydration is vital to maintaining digestive health. Simply drinking water is not always enough; the body requires adequate electrolytes to properly transport water into cells and tissues. Without these minerals, dehydration can persist even with high water intake.

2. A Natural Alternative: Our minerals offer a healthy and safe alternative to chemical laxatives like Miralax that can cause various negative health effects and damage the intestines. OmniBlue Original when taken more concentrated is effective in drawing water from the body into the stool, softening and helping it pass. 

3. Full Spectrum to Go: What makes OmniBlue unique is that all the while it is optimizing hydration and digestive health it is effective in completing the minerals that are missing from most people's diets. By delivering over 70+ trace and essential minerals including 420 mg of magnesium per serving, you and your kids will feel healthier and happier to enjoy life to the fullest.

Final Thoughts

Constipation in kids can be tough, but with the right tools, it’s a problem you can tackle head-on. OmniBlue Original is here to help, providing the essential minerals kids need to stay hydrated and support their gut health naturally. With OmniBlue, you’re not just addressing symptoms, you’re giving your little ones the foundational support they need to thrive.

From boosting hydration to improving digestion, adding OmniBlue to their daily routine is a simple yet powerful step toward healthier, happier kids. Because when your kids feel their best, life runs a whole lot smoother for everyone. Cheers to brighter days ahead with OmniBlue!

See you next week!