My Child Is So Constipated!

Updated on July 01, 2010
A.A. asks from Columbus, GA
23 answers

I have a beautiful 20-month-old daughter Emily. About every other day she poops and it is so hard that she screams and sometimes strains so hard that she bleeds or throws up. I have given her a baby laxative but I don't want to give it to her every day. I am at a loss as to what step I should take next. I have tried certain foods but she is such a picky eater, those don't work either. HELP!

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So What Happened?

We have been trying whole apple juice,and that seems to be working a lot better. I was diluting her juice to prevent her from getting too much sugar, but if this continues to work, it's a small price to pay. Thanks for all the advice.
A.

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T.R.

answers from Atlanta on

I had the same problem with my 7 1/2 month old. Her pediatrician suggested Mylicon and Pedialite. It worked for her. I have always kept the Mylicon on hand because she has always had a problem with gas. It is safe enough to use with every feeding.

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B.

answers from Augusta on

I'm with the others have you tried Juice, Apple , grape , and if all else fails Prune mixed with one of the others. also Blueberries works like draino for my kids they will poo blue for days its kinnda funny, yes gross I know.

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A.L.

answers from Atlanta on

If you've tried the natural ways to improve constipation, by giving her plenty of water, fiber in her diet, etc, and is not working, you should have your Ped. see her. One of my sons had constipations problems since he was an infant. I tried everything with no results. As the GI Doctor explained later, if the stool is too hard and the child hurts when trying to go,they will , very quickly develop fear to go, b/c it hurts, He told us that many times when it looks like they are trying to go really hard, is quite the opposite, they are trying to hold it, to avoid the pain. This may cause other problems down the road, with his ability to retain the stool(is kind of long but important story). So in our case, he prescribed MIRALAX, which is a powder you mix with water, milk, juice, etc, it doesn't have a taste or add texture, it is a stool softener, it doesn't cause dependency. All it does is soften the stool, making it easier for her to go, making the whole process painless. Talk to your Dr about Miralax (I sounded like the comercials:-) . It really was the only thing that worked with my son. If you need more info I'll be happy to tell you and if you need a good GI doctor I can refer you to as well.
Good luck with your little one!
A.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.A.

answers from Atlanta on

I agree she needs more water in her diet...and watering down her juice is a good way to get it in her. Also as suggested rasins are good and my daughter LOVES bananas. My daughter only has a bowl movement ever 2 or 3 days but we make sure she has enough water and fruit in her diet to keep her from having to strain.

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K.N.

answers from Las Vegas on

My 3 year old was suffering from constipation for 2 years it was sad to watch her grunt and strain for days to get it out. We are pretty healthy and organic with our diet. We tried everything I have read on this blog. Our doctor gave us miralax and the dose was too high we kept adjusting it after awhile because she would have either tooooo loose or 5 days of pushing. I heard that yogurt pearls worked so i went to check them out but they have to swallow them like a pill. The health store recomended culterelle for kids. its a powder probiotic you just put one in her drink everyday. She is pretty good now pooping every to every other day. It seems more natural for her and i can always go back to the miralax but its working for us.

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S.S.

answers from Augusta on

Hey I'm so sorry to hear about what is going on with your daughter. My youngest son has a problem with constapation also and when he starts having problems then instead of giving him a lax, I give him about an ounce of Dark Kayro Syurp in his milk. I hope this helps, most kids love it because of how sweet it is so maybe she will take it. Let me know if it works.

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K.S.

answers from Macon on

Hey A., You may want to change her diet. GEt the book 'YOU on a diet and start feeding her foods recommended by Dr. Oz and by Oprah. I have found that I feel better and my kids are not eating cookies and junk all the time. This book will give you ideas about what to eat to prevent this constipation without drugs. Make sure you use 100% apple juice and don't water it down.

I have a very picky 2 year old. They will eat when they get hungry as long as you tell them and don't give them they won't get anything else until the eat what you gave them.

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K.D.

answers from Athens on

Try watered down apple juice or pear juice. 50% of each at least once or twice a day. It may take a couple of days but usually apple juice will do the trick.

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B.J.

answers from Atlanta on

Hey A....
My sisyter went through something similar when she was little and the doctor suggested mineral oil. My sister is now 25 and still takes it daily. It softens the poop so it can pass easy.Give it a try it ..

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N.A.

answers from Savannah on

OH KARO Syrup. It works like a charm and its natural and easy on the stomach. You ca get it at the grocery store, its dark and thick.
-N.

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A.Z.

answers from Savannah on

I also say talk to your doctor but I have also tried something different then what is suggested. Brown sugar. try small amounts like 1/8 to 1/4 tsp first then moving to a 1/2 because if you give your child to much to quickly they may have a serious poo and it will be a huge mess. I have experienced and heard personal stories of this happening. good luck A. www.busymomsworkathome.com

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D.

answers from Savannah on

Try apple juice. It worked for my son and it was recommended by his pediatrician.

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L.W.

answers from Clarksville on

Have you tried juice? The doctor always told me if my baby got constipated to give him so juice. Hope that helps!

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K.H.

answers from Macon on

I have to agree with everyone else--try pear juice, or apple or prune juice. I wouldn't necessarily water it down, but do make sure she is getting enough of a daily intake of water and fiber. But until things start working right on their own, baby lax is not a bad thing!!

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L.K.

answers from Atlanta on

if all else fails, and you cannot get your ped. to do something then get some baby glycerin suppositories. they do not have any active ingredients (no drugs) so it really just gets in there and liquifies and makes it easier for them to move their bowels. Also sometimes the simple act of stimulating the rectum (putting the suppository in) will make them go. good luck.

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A.F.

answers from Atlanta on

Ask your pediatrican about Miralax. My son went through the same problem for about the first four years of his life. No matter how much I changed his diet or gave him water he still seemed to have hard stool. He was about 18 months old when his ped started giving him Miralax. He stopped taking it around the time he turned four years old and has not had a problem with his stool since. I wish you the best of luck!

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A.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi!
I used to have the same problem with my daughter too and my Pediatrician recommended the gylcerin suppositories which worked extremely well for her. It worked very quickly and she didn't strain/cry at all when she was pooping.
I don't know if that's what you are using, but they are wonderful. I sliced one in half with a sharp knife and coated it well with vasoline before I inserted it. I used it as often as I needed to, usually about an average of 2 times a week along with increasing her fruit intake.
Hope this is a little helpful and good luck :-)
A.

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C.H.

answers from Augusta on

When my son has this problem while potty training he said to give him enema. If u can sit her on a child potty then u can buy the enema at ur local drug store. It goes in the rectum with no pain and she will have a bowel movement withing 10 mins. Didnt hurt my son and it kept him from getting sick from not going so long.

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S.C.

answers from Savannah on

If it's painful, have her drink more water...it sounds like her stool is too dry... this should help. Prune juice is good for constipation. Raisins always make my little one poop.

Have her eat more fiber if you can... raisin bran, carrots. Hope some of these ideas help.

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J.M.

answers from Macon on

Hi A.

Sorry to hear about your daughters constipation. The more natural way to ease her pooping is to make sure she drinks plenty of water and juice. That will keep her regular and losen up the stools a bit. Limit her cheese intake. Also make sure you are giving her 2% milk. If that does not work, you may need to have the pediatrician check her out. I hope this helps.

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A.H.

answers from Atlanta on

She needs more fluids for sure. And as much as lots of juice isn't really good for kids, it will certainly aid in the softening of her poo. Plus, Oatmeal in the morning would be great.

There is some stuff called Enulose that you could get a prescription from the ped for. It is a syrup similar to Karo syrup (which is cheap, but you gotta be careful that it doesn't get old-can cause botulism). You can put a tsp in her juice or drink each day and should help regulate her. Ask the ped about it.

Good luck and do something soon. That is a terrible feeling.

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A.W.

answers from Atlanta on

Hello there,
Been in this situation not too long ago. Apple juice always makes my little one go. Prune juice is stronger tasting and he would not take it without mixing it, although it does get the job done as well. Laxatives can dehydrate her, so I am glad that you dont want to give those to her everyday. After a few cups of juice and only a few you dont want diarrhea ,they will work their magic and make her go, try giving her watered down juice (1 or 2 cups half water/half juice) everyday. It keeps my little one regular. Hope it helps. Hope she feels better soon.

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K.R.

answers from Atlanta on

Besides taking it up with your doctor (which I do suggest) cut back on cheeses, see what it is she eats when she is constipated, and give her apple juice daily. Cameron has to have his watered down or else he poops like crazy, so straight apple juice might help her, and if its too much water it down but it should keep her regular.

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