Constipation Help with 3 Yr Old

Updated on November 23, 2006
S.K. asks from Columbus, OH
7 answers

My daughter is 3 and has problems with constipation sometimes. It doesn't happen all that often anymore, but it used to happen quite a bit when she was an infant. I just took her to the Childrens Hospital Urgent Care last night because she was complaining of her belly hurting and she was doubled over and crying. I knew what the problem was, but I don't know how to fix it so it doesn't keep happening. She's miserable, cries and sometimes even screams. She gets to the point where she just won't push her poop out. She thinks it's going to hurt and doesn't want to do it. I believe in the reward system so she knows that she gets a piece of candy everytime she poops in the potty. She's been potty trained for about 4 months now with both peeing and pooping in the potty. I just don't know what foods can cause constipation that maybe I can stop feeding her, or if there is some great medication I can get. I've been giving her a little Benefiber in her juice once a day, but I would rather not do that. Does anybody have any suggestions?

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So What Happened?

This is kinda funny, but we took her to her grandfather's for Thanksgiving. He eats prunes and keeps them in a pretty jar next to his chair in the living room. With her being 3 and curious, she asked what they were. Grandpa pulled one out with a toothpick and ate it and said it was good and would she like one. She got the biggest kick out of the fact that grandpa liked them and the toothpick and for some reason she kept calling them burnt marshmallows. Anyway, she has decided to like them for the time being (with a toothpick of course!)We also give her alot of fruit and fruit juice with a little Benefiber in. This has seemed to make things a little easier for her. She has also had a few bowel movements that didn't hurt and I have made a big deal out of that fact so she's not afraid to have one. Thanks for all the suggestions! I really appreciate it!!

More Answers

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A.F.

answers from Columbus on

Boy do I feel your pain! My 3 year old DD has had problems with that,too! When she goes through bouts of it, she will have accidents(#2) in her pants. She's been PT for almost a year! I just try to give her extra juice, fruits and veggies. A friend of mine recommended dried prunes but we haven't had to do that yet. We do the reward thing, too. It's hard to remain calm and accepting when it happens, but when I do that it seems to end faster. Good luck!

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K.N.

answers from Columbus on

There is a natural product called "little tummies". I've used it on both of my kids and it really works! You can find it at pretty much any store. It's not expensive and it works! Give it a try and good luck. I know what you're going through.

K.

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D.M.

answers from Columbus on

Apple juice is a good way to help prevent it. Give her a couple glasses of apple juice and that will help keep things flowing. Stay away from to much cheese and milk products, that will bind you up in a heart beat. Everytime my daughter drinks even a glass of apple juice she has the runs for two days. Hope this helped. Good luck!

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B.R.

answers from Columbus on

Prunes will work!

However, I have heard that some children resist the feeling of having to move their bowels when they're not constiptated, but after a few days of resisting, they are. What is the consistency of her stools? That will help identify the problem.

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F.R.

answers from Columbus on

Apricot Nector worked wonders for my son (5yo). I give him a 4 oz cup of it twice a week, just to keep him regural. He shows early signs of IBS - I & my mother both have it. Good luck.

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J.L.

answers from Columbus on

I know what your going through. When my daughter was about that age(shes 9 now) she had the same problem. I actually had to take her to the doctor and he perscribed something called Mirilax. You just add about a tablespoon of this powder into one of her drinks everyday for a while and she starts to get regular again. My daughter still has this issue from time to time too.

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S.F.

answers from Columbus on

Hello,
I understand what you are going through. The foods that kind bind her up like that are peanutbutter, cheese, carrotts, bannas, to much milk. I found out about the milk thing by accident. My husband let our two year old daugher drink as much as she wanted. She got sick like your child. Took her to doctor and that is what they told me. I was shocked to hear that. To much dairy products.

Good Luck

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