my toddler won't poop, chronic constipation! Anyone have any great ideas?

Question

I've tried altering diet, supplements, fiber, nothing seems to help. I don't know if it's a slow digestive tract, allergy, etc...
my doctor doesn't seem to be concerned, but I am.

Answer 1

Constipation in young children is fairly common, so don't worry. Your GP should be a bit more reassuring, by the sounds of things, but don't give up on your local pharmacist who should be able to help.

Common causes of constipation in infants/children include:


*Introduction of solid food(s) - breastfed babies tend to be more prone to constipation when solid foods are introduced.


*Diets low in fibre


*Diets of excessive dairy products (yogurt, cheeses, milk)


*Foods such as Bananas, Applesauce, Cereals, Breads, Pasta and White Potatoes may contribute or cause constipation

A change in diet usually relieves constipation. The following tips may also help the constipated baby get things "moving"!

Tummy Massage - Gently massage and rub baby's tummy in a clockwise direction. Place your hands at baby's navel and massage in a circular motion, moving your hand(s) out and away from the center of baby's belly.

Warm Bath - Some medical professionals suggest giving your constipated baby a warm bath. The thought is that this may help relax baby and "get things moving" again. Give a tummy massage as you are drying baby.

Bicycle Legs - Place your baby on her back and lightly hold her legs in a half-bent position. Gently begin to move your baby's legs as if she is riding a bicycle. Alternate "Bicycle Legs" with Tummy Massage. *"Bicycle Legs" also may help to relieve a baby who is gassy.



Relieving Constipation in Toddlers:

Try strained foods that contain high fiber such as:

¯ apricots

¯ prunes

¯ peaches

¯ plums

¯ pears

¯ peas

¯ spinach


In older infants who are just beginning solid foods, you may want to avoid baby foods such as rice cereal, applesauce and bananas as these may aggravate constipation!

Barley or oatmeal cereals, prunes, peaches, plums, apricots and most vegetables are preferred.

Juices are helpful, especially apple or prune, but use in moderation, as they are not as nutritious for babies as formula or breastmilk.

Recall the BRAT diet for treatment of diarrhea in infants - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. An easy and natural way to remember how to alleviate baby's constipation is to cut out the foods that contribute to it - rice cereals, bananas, and applesauce. If you ever forget which foods to cut out, remember BRAT!

You can give Apple Juice but NOT Applesauce.

There is a difference in the amount of sugars and pectin in apple juice and applesauce:

Apple juice contains more sugars and liquids so it helps relieve constipation.

Applesauce is the whole of the fruit. It contains a higher level of pectin - which firms up stools and may thus lead to constipation.

"Apple juice also has a mild laxative effect that may help provide relief from constipation commonly experienced by little ones. Apple juice fortified with vitamin C may help children absorb more iron, an important nutrient for growth and development."

About Apple Juices:

Apples contain pectin, which will add bulk to your stools, and their cleansing action will encourage bowel movements. They have a laxative effect yet are also used for to help people get back on a regular diet after suffering bouts of diarrhea.

The pectin in the apple fiber apparently is the healing factor, which explains why it is included in one of the popular over-the-counter diarrhea remedies. Also, that same fibre pectin is what dietitians have been telling us for decades is necessary to keep us regular and to prevent constipation.

I hope all of this is of use.

Above all.... remember one piece of advice..... **** Happens!

;)

Good luck!

Answer 2

Chronic Constipation Toddler

Answer 3

Normal bowel habits can span anywhere from 3 bowel movements a day to 3 a week, according to Marvin Schuster, M.D., professor of medicine. Constipation has a lot to do with a person's comfort level, says Peter Banks, M.D., director of Clinical Gastroenterology. People who are constipated often strain a lot in th bathroom, profuce unusually hard stools, and feel gassy and bloated. Exercise (by simply walking) seems not only to boost your fitness but to promote regularity as well. "The thinking is that lack of activity puts the bowels to rest," says Banks. Drinking an adequate amount of liquids may help to alleviate constipation or preven it from happening in the first place. No soda. Stick with water, seltzer, juice, or milk. Check to see how long it takes to have a movement after a meal. Keep notes and be prepared to show it to your child's doctor. Many times, adding fiber or roughage to your diet is all that's needed to ensure regularity. Fiber adds mass to the stool and stimulates the colon to push things along. Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans. Meats, chicken, fish and fat come up empty-handed in the fiber category. The current recommendations for daily dietary fiber are 20 to 35 grams. Fiber supplements may be helpful, but most doctors and dietitians agree that it's preferable to get your fiber from food. Good luck.

Answer 4

Best Constipation Cures

Answer 5

This sounds really awful but my son to had this problem and this worked for him. 2 Tsps white corn syrup, like Karo in warm milk in a bottle.
Then I started to notice that milk was very constipating to my son, even though he is not lactose intolerant. So now if I have to do it, I put the Karo syrup in warm apple juice.
I found this remedy in a old cookbook a ran it past or Dr before I tried it. Good luck!

Answer 6

As long as baby is 1yr or over honey is fine. I use Fletcher's Castoria (made with prunes) on my son. My mom gave it to me and now I am using it on my son. It tastes like Dr. Pepper, Dr. Pepper is made with prunes. I used to ask for it when I was little just to taste it. Lots of water also helps. The only way I can get my son to drink water is by giving him Graham crackers (snack). I let him have 1 or 2 before offering it to him. He drinks it right up sometimes up to 12oz. The most obvious of things, lots of veggies and fruit as, I am sure you know. Mango helps my son as well.
Good Luck!!

Answer 7

Give them some Duculax Stool Softener or Phillip's milk of magnesia.

Answer 8

my daughter is the same way. We ended up taking her to a gi doctor.
have you cut back on the dairy products? That is what my gi doctor told me to do.
I would try to find a gi doctor in your area. My doctor thought that my daughters problem was nothing and her colan is the size of a 8 years old and she is only 4.
Umm you could also try lactose milk that seems to get my daughter to go.
i dont know how old your child is but the doctor also said to sit them on the potty for 10 mins after every meal. That really realyl works on my daughter!

Answer 9

Prune juice in Pedialite. The fiber in prunes will help the system, the water will help hydrate her and make passing easier. If she drinks enough of this, it should regulate her, and usually doesn't cause cramps or uncomfortable gastro-intestinal extravaganzas.

Answer 10

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Answer 11

Have him/her eat some dried fruit, preferably dried prunes. They're a natural laxative.

You also might try some psychologic "warfare" with your child. Tell him/her that the potty needs to eat dinner too, and it eats poopies (or whatever name you call it). Make a big game out of feeding the potty, give him/her a sticker or do a "touch-down dance" when they do go in the potty.