How to Give Your Child an Enema

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.