2 Year Old Constipation and Withholding Issues

Updated on March 22, 2011
R.C. asks from West Lafayette, IN
4 answers

Hi moms,

My son is 2.5 and since Nov. he has seemed very constipated. He has always seemed to have some difficulty passing stool; however, we realized in Dec. that he was actually with holding going. We have had him to the doctor several times, they have taken x-rays confirming the moderate amount of stool in his bowels and also ruling out other issues. They have taken blood ruling out celiac disease and other issues like it. He is not potty trained yet. We have kind of put it on hold since the pediatrician said to get this under control first. He was ready for the potty before his second bday but we also had a baby then, so we decided to wait thinking it wouldn't be an issue. Now he doesn't want much to do with the potty. I don't think the with holding is behavioral b/c of the baby. We have had him and continue to have him on high doses of miralax per the doctors suggestion, which causes him to go when he is really relaxed and asleep. It makes for big messes to clean up after naps and in the morning when he gets up as there is always a lot of stool and it is really runny b/c of the miralax. Lots of baths and laundry from it. We are considering switching to cloth diapers to see if this will help with the potty training and with holding. We have been to the GI pediatrician specialist twice and he is not sure what direction to go. We did a miralax clean out for 3 days and then maintainance with 2 cap fulls per day. The clean out worked but the 2 cap fulls put us back where we had been. Today the GI doc said we may consider putting him under to scope him, looking for allergies and other infections that may be causing irritation. My husband and I really don't want to go that route. In the meantime, he has upped his miralax to three cap fulls each day. He also suggested it may be a lactose issue. My son had a dairy intollerance from the milk protein up until he was almost 2. He would throw up and had reflux issues while I nursed him whenever I had dairy. I am thinking maybe he still has milk issues??? The doctor suggested trying lactaid.

We are at a loss here and really wanting a solution to this issue. To get our son to stop with holding and to get him on a regular schedule so we can get him potty trained. Has anyone ever dealt with anything like this and what was your solution?

Thank you for any insight!!!

R.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Canton on

My son was like that. He is 6 years old. Still is in some ways. I have been to all kinds of Doctors, did all kinds of tests. They said cows milk was not the culprit. I even spoke to a dietician who said don't stop the cows milk. That kids need milk. My gut told me it was the milk. I have used miralax, fruits you name it. Well I decided to follow my gut a month ago...NO COWS MILK! We use almond milk. We get our protein from chicken and other meats. My son is doing beautifully. Try No Milk. And read Milk the deadly poison!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.W.

answers from Dallas on

Magensium citrate should help, you can get a product call Calm at the health food store. George's aloe vera may help too. Another product I like is called TruFiber. You can get an IgG food test via Alletess for $85 and have your ped order IgE food testing via Quest or LabCorp. Milk and casein products and bread and gluten products are often a problem.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Milwaukee on

My kiddo's doc recommended water and letting her snack on Cracklin Oat Bran cereal. She used to call them cookies and ate they as snacks, not a bowl of cereal.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.F.

answers from Toledo on

We had similar issues with my daughter so also waited to potty train as to not add stress to the situation. She was so severe, even with Miralax, it would still be a full week before she would go and then only with the help of a suppository. She would be screaming, trying to hold it in because after not going for a week, it was painful. Little did we know it was actually the mess in her diaper that she was avoiding. As soon as she was potty trained, the constipation went away. Just something to think about...

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions