Enemas are not pleasant affairs, but on occasion it is necessary to give one to your small child. This is usually because of severe constipation or a partial blockage of the intestines. Children who have had bowel surgery may be more prone to these conditions and will need more frequent enemas. It is important that you not give them without a doctor’s say so, since repeated enemas can be damaging to the function of the bowels.
If your child is not old enough to understand what is going on, you will need at least two people to administer the enema. This is so one person can hold the child down while the other gives the enema. It may sound extreme, but the fact of the matter is that you can do some damage if the child is not still.
To begin with, you will need the enema. You can buy readymade enemas in bottles with a pre-lubricated nozzle and these are recommended, since you don’t need to prepare anything. In cases where you have to give daily or frequent enemas, you may need to invest in a bag and make your own solution, but this is up to your doctor. This article deals with the readymade enema bottle.
Make sure you have the one that is specifically for children and read the directions carefully. For toddlers and preschoolers, you will only use half the bottle, since their intestines are smaller and can’t hold as much liquid. Older children can take the entire bottle of liquid.
This is best done on a bed. Lay a sheet of plastic or a diaper mat down first. You may want to put a towel under this, just in case. Have wet wipes or toilet paper handy and a clean diaper if your child is still in diapers. An extra towel can be useful as well.
There are two main positions for giving an enema. The first is perhaps the easiest if you roll a towel up and place it under your child’s hips, with him laying facedown over it, bottom in the air. The second is on the left side, with the legs pulled up to the chest. Both of these positions are acceptable and it really depends on which one is easiest to maintain for you.
Once the child is in position, take the top off the nozzle and make sure that it is well lubricated. You can use Vaseline or KY Jelly to increase lubrication if needed. Baby oil also works.
Now, gently slide the nozzle of the enema bottle into the anus, aiming toward the belly button. Do this slowly, even if the child is struggling, as it is very easy to hurt him at this point. Once the nozzle is completely in, move it slightly to one side and begin to squeeze slowly. Some air will escape from the anus. Let the bottle move back into position once the air has escaped and squeeze slowly until you have emptied the correct amount into the intestines.
Slide the nozzle out. For small children, hold their butt cheeks together for a couple of minutes to give the enema a chance to work. It is recommended that the child stay in this position until they feel the urge to go to the bathroom. Even with very small children, it is easiest to have a potty nearby that they can sit on.
Depending on the amount of time the child has been unable to go, there will be quite a bit of feces and it will likely smell very bad, due to the amount of time it has been inside. Be prepared. For very young children, you can put a diaper on them and allow them to get up. You will need to change them frequently and be aware that accidents could occur.
Having an enema can be a traumatic process for a small child. It is a good idea to have a bottle or comfort object to give to them during and after. It is also a good idea to have someone they trust, who was not involved in giving the enema, to be there to hug them afterwards. You can expect some fighting the next time you try to change your little one’s diaper, too.
While it can be a difficult thing to see your child suffer through an enema, it is better than the alternative, watching them suffer through constipation or intestinal blockage. If your child doesn’t defecate or only pushes out colored water for over a day after the enema, you will need to see a doctor. If lack of defecation is accompanied by vomiting, particularly yellow or green vomit, and the child is refusing to eat, it is best to head for the emergency room since these are signs of a severe blockage and your child will need medical attention.
