Constipation - Kincaid,IL

These type of products really aren't good for young children. You really need to add more fruit and veggies and fiber. I use a fiber powder to mix into food and fruit smoothies for my children. These are more natural ways and yes, probiotics are really a key source to helping with digestion. I guess you have to look at what price you are going to pay for your child's health and happiness. I use them for my family and it is well worth the price. Not only are they getting whole food nutrition, they are regulated and never have constipation problems. These type of problems can lead to other things so I guess it may be time to prioritize and learn what foods and juices that you should be giving more of. I'd be happy to help you out with the fiber powder and probiotics. The longer she goes without a movement, the worse it will be for her and you. She needs to be going at least once daily. My best to you both and I hope I can be of service to you.

K.
Wellness Consultant

My son has had this problem for years he is 10 now started when he was 3. I have tried everything! I have tried prunes(5 a day) friut salad veggies and on and on.. I also tried mineral oil daily. I give him Mirolax now and he has started a probiotic. If you go to Whole foods they have several and some that are not to expensive.He is going everyday now and I am not sure if it is due to both medicines or one or the other but i am not taking him off either Dont fix what is not broke.. Good luck

Your pharmacist is correct! Acidophilous is the best thing I have given my son. I started giving him acidophilous when he was 6 weeks old, and he has NEVER been constipated. He will be 2 on April 21st. Please believe me when I say it is absolutely worth every penny we spend on the product to keep my sons bowels in working order! I can not stress enough to you to use this. I have had my current bottle in the fridge for 6 months now, I give my son 1 teaspoon in his morning drink, every other day, and he gets a yogurt every day with breakfast. He poops at least 2 times a day, every day! I get Udo's Choice Infant Probiotics from Fruitful Yeild in Lombard, but I am sure you can get acidophilous from any health food store. I am sure GNC carries it. Make sure you get one that has over 1 billion active yogurt cultures. This is what the bottles says:

"Udo's Choice Infant Probiotic is in an easy-to-take powder form for infants and children 0-5 years old. This unique formula is designed to reflect heathly infant microflora. These friendly bacteria assist in nitrogen retention and help synthesize the very important B-complex vitamans necessary for proper growth and development. One serving per day helps maintain healthy intestinal flora and strengthen the immune system."
Healthy intestinal flora is what keeps you from being constipated!

Please try this for your daughters sake (and her confort). I have not seen any runny stools with my son either! Let me know if you try it and how it worked for her!

My son has Down syndrome and low muscle tone which is the root cause of his constipation. He has been on Miralax for a couple of years. It is a laxative that is gentle. Initially he had loose poops but we just kept adjusting what we gave him. He now takes a 1/4 cap daily and is regular without the loose stools. And, he no longer minds going to the bathroom.

Here are some natural things you can safely add to your child's diet that will help with constipation:
Grounded Flaxseeds (a tsp a day, add to pancakes, pasta, cereal, etc)
Flax oil (1-2tsp per day, add in milk, helps to coat the colon making things move better)
Probiotics, yes the pharmacist was right. Go to www.smartbomb.com and buy FloraBaby by Renew Life, about $25 for a 3 m supply, easy to add to liquids and has several different strands of good bacteria. You can see more on my article on probiotics here: http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam... Just click on the probiotic article.
Offer her hummus, white beans, all things that are naturally high in fiber. Add white beans to pasta every time.

Another issue to address is how much dairy is she eating as it can cause constipation. Consider switching over to rice milk for 10 days with no other dairy products and see how she does. Be sure any time you add more fiber that you must drink more water, no juice added, plain water, water will moisturize the intestines again helping things to move better.

Hope that helps.
J. W. MPH
Maternal and Child Wellness Educator
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert