toddler question for moms...?

Question

Hi,
I have a 3 1/2 year old girl with chronic constipation..(soft stools)waiting 3 to 6 days
between movements..also extreme pain.
She is also 26 pounds ,which is small for her age. She is otherwise healthy. I have been to
alot(about 10,doctors) without much help or advice on this. I am just wondering if anyone else
is dealing with a simular situation.

Answer 1

Have any of them prescribed Mirilax powder? If not thats what she needs, one bottle makes 64 ounces, but you dont even use one cap full a dayit in her juice & she cant even taste it! Too bad its by prescription only though, but there is nothing wrong with suggesting it. Im not a mom, but I have an 18 month old niece & thats what we have to use for her. I know you cant taste it because I had to use it for a procedure I was having.

Answer 2

I have to say that it is pretty common for 3 1/2 year olds to have constipation. I am confused why you put soft stools though. Constipation is hard stools. If she is having soft stools and is still in extreme pain then that doesn't seem like the signs for constipation. Maybe you could make an appointment and have some of her stool collected and ready to be examined. Also, I have heard that sometimes when doctors are not listening to how much pain your child is in it is helpful to video them so the doctor know exactly what you are talking about.

Answer 3

My best guess is to find some fruits she likes and be sure to offer her a few a day. Canned pumpkin is a natural laxative that tastes good. I've also seen people mix prunes and cool whip in a blender which makes them sweeter like a mousse. Then maybe make a point of Let's try to go every day. Very exciting. Don't make any fuss if she doesn't but have a reward when she does. Not always material, maybe paint each others nails. Just to help her try. Good luck

Answer 4

If it's a dietary problem:
1. Reduce dairy products.
2. Since prunes/prune juice are hard to take at any age - try the canned pumpkin, also fruit (orange, mango, pear) and vegetable (esp. carrot) juices may help.

But she may be deliberately witholding if she's opposed to using the potty. Don't let her go without doing the do for six days, after the third day reach for the suppositories (a homemade soap one should work).

Answer 5

I went through this with my 3 1/2 year old daughter when 1.potty training and 2.total use of toilet (no more potty chair)..that just occured last week. Basically,I cut way down on her dairy intake and had her eat lots of fiber. It was difficult as toddlers can be with their eating habits. She ate lots of raisins,applesauce and carrots (only good things she'll eat). I also gave her back her potty chair for doing "poopies" only. I also had to give her a pediatric suppository which worked immediately. I'm happy to report that things are back to normal!!

By the way..you're not the only one with a pettite toddler..mine is 24 lbs! They're so cute when they are that little!

Answer 6

I would try giving her a little prune juice each day...just an ounce or so. When my daughter was an infant, I would give it to her in a medicine dropper. It works well, but not too fast. Also be sure her diet is high in fiber, which aids the digestive system. If this continues, you may want to see a specialist.

Answer 7

Yes, my daughter has had the same constipation problems since birth. We have tried everything her MD had told us to do. Finally, she was put on glycolax (prescription) that can be used daily and long term. This is the only thing that worked for her. Good luck

Answer 8

Give the child about a half a Metamucil bar. You can get them at the pharmacy. Also, consider asking your pharmacist. They are required to know more stuff than the docs and are a smorgasbord of information.

Answer 9

my 4 year old had a similar problem while potty training...would use the potty! she wouldn't go for 4 or 5 days at a time and by then it was hard as a rock...different than your problem, of course, but similar...doctor told us to try to over feed her a little so she'd HAVE to go... doubt if this helped, but good luck! i know them young ones sure are hard to live with when they don't poo...

Answer 10

Get some laxatives made for children. They have them at pharmacies, grocery stores, ect. Give her those and also change her diet so this doesn't happen again. Throw in alot of "high in fiber" foods. Fiber is what keeps you regular. Vegetables, fruits, and grains have loads of fiber in them.