What is the best way to get regular without fiber supplements or prune juice?

Question

My 6 year old son has a really hard time going and by the way he cries I sense that it is painful too, they are large when they do come out and sometimes clog the toilet and have to be broken apart before they will flush. The doctor told us about fiber type of powder that you mix in a drink but I find that doesn't really help. He still gets backed up...poor kid. :(

Any advice would be welcome...thanks.

Answer 1

Lots of fruit and veg and plenty of water

Answer 2

The fiber powder would work, but you have to drink lots of fluids to make it work properly. Something that may be hard for a 6 year old to do. All I can suggest for your son is to have him eat his favorite fruit or get some dried fruit and have him eat that. Also try and get him to drink more fluids, water, juice, whatever. Fiber needs liquids to work properly. If you are consuming lots of fiber, but not getting any fluids, you will back up.

Answer 3

Fiber isn't always the answer, you need to have alot of fruit too, and liquids preferrably water. I have this problem since taking medications that constipate. I found by drinking an 8 ounce glass of cranberry juice cocktail every day faithfully took care of the problem. You could be creative and make popsickles out of the juice, mix some in with other juices he likes, etc.

Answer 4

Oranges and fresh fruit will bulk and keep stools softer. Keep away from foods with alot of iron or fiber in them. Breads, some cookies, or crackers and meats can create harder stools.

Answer 5

I would think that maintaining a very healthy diet, cutting out dairy products, and maybe eating extra apples or drinking apple juice? Apples are a natural diuretic. If he is having that bad of a time, there might be more than you can do with a normal diet.

Answer 6

He needs the fiber but you have to be sure he is drinking enough water with it. If he doesn't drink enough water or juice when he takes it that can make things worse. Also feed him lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Be sure to eat high fiber bread and crackers. Add a stool softener such as colace aka docusate twice a day to keep his stools soft. If he can't swallow the capsules then prick them with a pin or cut the end off and squeeze it into something for him to eat or ask the doc about liquid colace. Also be sure to make him sit on the toilet for about 5 minutes every morning after breakfast even if he doesn't go to try to get his bowels regulated. If all of this doesn't do it then take him to a clinic that specializes in pediatric constipation.

Answer 7

Try not to eat any red meat.