Liquids and Constipation, Help!

We still occasionally have this problem with our son and he's nearly 4! I know he's not drinking enough, but short of holding him down and forcing him to drink, I don't know what else to do. I make sure water is available for him all the time. He has a water bottle that he takes to school and it stays on his level at home too, but he still rarely drinks from it.
As far as the constipation, we have had our battles with that too. The thing we found that works the best is dried plums from Sams. He thinks they're candy, so we have to limit him to only 2 or 3. But they seem to clear things right up! I figure if I can't get him to drink, at least this keeps things moving!
Good luck!
J. :)

It sounds like you may have a dairy issue. If you can't get your little one to take liquids, try to add a little to your baby foods. I would also suggest baby prunes. They don't taste that bad...I've had to eat them at times. Be careful giving dried fruits as they need liquid to rehydrate if you are concerned about dehydration. Reduce the yogurt and add more fruit.

Small apple slices help greatly too.

Good luck dear!!!
Jodi

My daughter has suffered from constipation since she was a few months old, now 4 1/2 and still happening. She actually has a medical condition, reflux of the bladder, that causes her to have urinary tract infections regularly. I found out during all of this that constipation is a sign of UTI's. We missed this sign until last year. I just wanted to mention that...just in case. My daughter also will not drink juice. She is a 2% milk drinker since she was 10 months old, adding to the constipation. I can get her to drink juice if it is in a juice box sometimes, especially if she is around other kids that are drinking them. Your daughter is young, but at this point you will try anything. We use the Plum Smart juice on occasion. Fiber is such a biggy. We use Frosted Mini Wheats as a snack and it helps, raisins, rich foods like spaghetti and refried beans help (as long as they are not mixed with flour tortillas). Cheerios, apples, fruit cups that have the natural juices in them are things that have been suggested. If yiou are still breast feeding try putting more fiber in your diet as well. Hey, anything can help. The over-the-counter laxitives for kids work, but that is not a solution. My daugher has been prescribed a powder, Polyethylene Glycol, that we mix with her drink once a day in very small doses that keeps her regular. It has no taste or texture and can be mixed with anything, even milk. All it does is promote water absorption in the stool to soften it. We have had great results with it. If this problem continues, you may want to ask your doctor about it. We only use 1/4 of the regular dosage to avoid it being too soft. Good luck, I know how frustrating it is. don't be afraid to be persistant with your doctor. It took mine 3 years to finally realize it was a big issue, not just something that happens.

C.

My DD is 2.5 years old and doesn't drink much juice if any. She drinks milk and water. If I notice she is getting harder stools I try to up her water. Maybe try water in a cup with a straw. Maybe the straw will make it fun and she will get more water that way. Hope that can help :)

I agree with Jodi - liquids don't sound like the problem - dairy allergies manifest as constipation. Start looking into that angle. Cut out the dairy completely for 48 hours and see if that helps. If it does, talk to your pediatrician about allergy testing.

If it's a liquids thing - maybe try feeding lots of water-packed foods like fruits. Pure liquids aren't the only way to stay hydrated...maybe try soups. Pedialyte popsicles. Or even sugar free popsicles (a big hit in our house). My son at that age really enjoyed sucking on orange wedges, which gave him lots of juice. We turned it into the game using the wedge to look like a monkey, and then he just naturally started sucking on them. Maybe that will work.

Good luck! S.

Hi! I had the same problem with my son when he was about 7 months old, but now he is two. I mixed apple or prun juice into his baby cereal and that seem to work. I wish you luck and hope that your little angel gets better soon.

Hi, I was like you when my son was 16 months, first keep trying the diluted juice, I know it seems like waste but they eventually warm up to it, Evan hates any diary so now (he is almost 3) I give him orange juice with calcium on it and he does just fine.
Now for the constipation, Does she eat any baby cereal? Maybe you can dilute that with prune juice and mix fruit on it if things get really bad, also you could express some milk and put some water on it, GL!