Need help from any parents who have tried the Fleet Enema. My son needs one bad, but I have never done one on either of my children as we have never needed to go this in depth with constipation. Any parent who has done it, please would you tell me how you did it, was it easy, and did it help? We do not want to have to go to the hospital as we don't want to have to pay for the emergency room if we can help it. Thank you all for your help!!! Ellen wanting to give one to my 7 year old miserable child.
Yes, I have done this but I like the pediatric suppositories better. They are less messy and yes they work. My son had chronic constipation as a baby and also suffered from gas because of it. He went to a specialist which put him on a high fiber diet. That did not work. The specialist said that he had "dry stools". He put my son on Milk of Magnesia which usually would give him diarrhea. But if he didn't take the MOM, he was constipated. I went to our local "The Vitamin Shoppe" and they turned me on to Prebiotics. With in a couple days, we noticed a difference. He hasn't had a problem since. Not all prebiotics are the same. We use "FloraZyme". Here is the website for your review: http://www.ultimatelife.com/CatFloraZyme.htm. You can find this at "The Vitamin Shoppe". They also have a website. I hope this helps.
I don't like enema's and wont use them even though constipation has been a battle with my 8 yr old since he was born.
You didn't explain why your son is constipated, but an enema is basically going to force him to go - that could be traumatic for a kid if he already has poop issues. My sister had them when she was little, and they are very messy!
Have you tried stool softeners, like Miralax (which is approved for kids and available over the counter)? It will make the stool soft so he can pass it without pain. It's different from a laxative, which will force him to go.
With my son, he really needed to be on a very high fiber diet. Fruit in particular seems to loosen him up. Fiber is not an immediate solution, but might be something to consider as a lifestyle change, if he won't go because it hurts to go or is too hard to pass.
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Hi Ellen. My oldest daughter had terrible problems with this. She was on a daily medication for 18 months when she was a baby to keep her regular. 8 oz of prune juice did nothing for her.
When she was 5 years old we started to keep her on a really good water schedule. During 1st grade she started having problems all over again because at school they do not give them enough water, nor enough time to drink it. When we went in for a regular check up at the doctors I asked them to write my daughter a Rx for 8 oz of water at 10am, 12pm and 2pm and took this to the school nurse. Because it is a Rx they were required by LAW to give her the time to drink it and not give her grief for the bathroom. Within 1 week she no longer had a problem. We kept her on this schedule all through elementary school.
The doctor who we saw was so thrilled with the results that she wrote a Rx for 3 other patients who were having the same problems.
Why don't you try a tea spoon of brown sugar which work very well even better than and enena.when my baby was a few weeks old he was constipated for a few days i used brown suger in his milk or you can just mix it in a half oz of water to drink. And this should work good.
Helen
i know you already fixed your sons problem, but i figured i would write to you anyway. my daughter has issues with pooping too. mostly because she does not like to poop at pre school. i have had to use a ped enema also and i hated it. one thing i did was put on her favorite song and have her lay on her side and give it to her. i told her that before the song was over that she would poop and it worked and helped to keep her relaxed (she is 5). there are huge warning about mara lax (however ever you spell it). i put fiber sure in her food or drink when i notice she is having really hard poops and it helps to soften it. i also have her eat lots of fruit (she hates veggies), v8 fusion might work too! good luck
We used the BabyLax on our 4-year-old. It wasn't nearly as bad as it seems, and it made a world of difference. Good luck!
You need to add something to his diet that will help him. Sweet potatoes (without all the sugar and marshmallows!) is a great option as well as steamed broccoli crowns. Cut back on dairy products - dairy constipates. I get Bruce's Yams with lite syrup. These two are high in fiber and help the bowels move. Air popped popcorn is a great snack that also helps keep you regular. Whatever you choose should be high fiber and eaten daily, or every other day at the very least. It's easier and healthier for the child to change his diet than it is to use alternative methods such as fleet and laxatives.
Bless your heart! Yes, I had to do it several times with my Nathan when he was only 3. Not fun. The directions are on the packaging - follow them precisely. You may need daddy to help because he will likely not let you do this willingly. My son refused to use the potty and was impacted for days so it took several rounds of it. You may want to start with a suppository first - not as harsh. Then, if that doesn't work, go to the enema. We literally had to pin our son done. It was traumatic and rightfully so, but I think having us do it as opposed to total strangers in a hospital was much better. You can love on him afterwards. Also, make sure you take everything out of his diet that could be causing it. Make it bland for several days and when he yells, just cover your ears. You know what is best for him. Don't wimp out or cave. You will all be better for it when it's over. Let us know how it turns out.
Have you tried Mirilax first. It is not a laxative but a softener. It seems to make my little girl go. It takes a day or two, though.
well i have never used one on a child that old but i always used them on my babies b/c the formula they were on didnt agree with their tummys. they work wonders!!read the directions and follow them. you may want to call his doctor first since he has never used one... their maybe something else to try first. but if he is miserable they are the way to go. I used them when i was pregnant with my first daughter b.c i was vomiting so much i pretty much dried up... (gross i know but true) and i still suffer from constipation these things are life savers!
I read your "what happened" and I wanted to say tell him to not worry about being late for class. talk to his teachers tell them that if hes running a few mins late not to punish him. Within reason i mean you dont want him late every class...but if he keeps holding it in like this this problem will only get worse!
Have you tried everything else first? Have you called the doc, and asked if a stool softener would be ok? I would think so. Have you tried the new prunes that are wrapped? That is what my daughter does with the grands.
Fleet enemas are extremely easy to do, but I am not a believer in sticking something in a child's rectum unless all other things have been exhausted. Good luck.
They have glycerin suppositories for children that you can get at the drug store. I don't know if that would be easier or not. When my oldest was a baby they actually suggested giving him this, so I would think it would be safe for your child. I would go to the nearest drug store and ask the pharmacist.
Ellen,
Unfortunately I have 22 years experience with Fleets. I have an adult autistic child with a birth defect where she is constantly constipated.
So, allow me to share with you about the Fleets. They work! They work within minutes. Although the child will feel the need to "go" instantly, if you can delay them 30-60 seconds, the cleanse will go deeply.
In the meantime if this happens again I recommend Mira lax, it is gentle but works. Although I am not sure if it is Dr. recommended for little ones. They may have a children's formula.
To use make sure the child is on their side with knees drawn up in a fetal position. Use a lubricant on both the bottle and the bottom. Once inserted keep a stead flow, not to fast and whatever you do don't stop! It is uncomfortable and can even be considered painful. It is unfortunately it is a necessary evil at at times.
As for natural ways to go with this (that has worked in this house), is eating nuts, salads (not iceberg lettuce it does little), raisins, and high fiber meals.
There are some great books to research for getting that high fiber into those diets: The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals and Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food.
And, finally I use therapeutic essential oils (rubbing them on her belly), and the main one I use is called DiGize. You can goggle it, or contact me directly if you need more info.
Hope this helped
Tina Michelle
HI Ellen,
If this is a one-time deal, go ahead. My son had "issues" since he was a baby. He's now 13. I would try Baby-lax. It's a bulb seringe-type and has a little bit of a thick substance in there that you just "shoot it up there" and it will help him go to the bathroom. Enemas for children are a pretty big deal, unless the doctor recommends it. He's also old enough that it would be extremely embarassing. The baby-lax is small and quick. Once you give it to him, let him sit in the bathroom with a book. What has the doctor suggested? Castor Oil in applesauce or some other substance works pretty well. So does prune juice. Lots of fiber and water help, too. Good luck! Lynda
Ellen, talk to the pharmacist on duty and they can help you decide or recommend if a glycerine suppository might be of more help.
The other thing is use foods rich in fiber to help keep those BM's moving along. Unless he has swallowed something... I think the 'natural' way will help him, maybe raisens, prunes (these come flavored these days) prune juice mixed in something.
Maybe too he isn't drinking enough water thus making him constipated and miserable. I mean, even if he has to hold his nose to drink the juice it should help.
Have you called the peditrician just to see what his thoughts and suggestions are?
Call the pharmacy as well.
We found a fiber drink for my 8 year old and it has been working miracles. It is Kellogg's Pink Lemonade (tastes great) and we always keep a bottle made in the frig. We dilute it in about 20 oz (althought the packet says 16). She doesn't have trouble with constipation any more except when she doesn't drink it.
I have never had to use an enema, but have come close with my 4 yr old daughter, of which DOES have self-induced constipation problem. My suggestion and what we do, is use the smaller glycerin (sp) liquid suppositories. Fleet has a line of children's products with a little penguin on the box. Those things work in under 1 minute. My daughter has gone over 7 days without a bowel movement and THIS WORKS! Also, I keep her on Miralax as needed. If she hasn't gone on her own in 2 days I give her a 1/2 tsp in her juice and she's ready go. For awhile after he last, intensely dramatic constipation episode I gave her 1/4 tsp each day in her juice and think this is helping her get back in to the habit of going. She has no idea that she is being given the Miralax, no taste! But do know it works in under an hour for her. She is 4 yrs old and weighs about 30 lbs. Otherwise healthy except she doesn't like to go poop so she holds out. Mirlax has helped her to recognize and NOT be able to refuse her body's request to poop!
Using the suppositories are scary FOR EVERYONE in involved, but get your hubby to hold him down and you administer it. He will scream, kick, bite, whatever...BUT YOU ARE NOT HURTING HIM! A distended bowel will hurt him far worse. Once our daughter realized the immense relief she got after using one, she has no problem, has even asked for one when she tried her hardest to go. Do it, afterwards you will kick yourself for waiting so long!
We gave our little girl the glycerin enema, I believe it was the Feel brand name. There real easy to use and they work FAST! We laid her down, put it in, squeeze the liquid, she did not like that, and quickly put her diaper back on. We first tried her on the potty but that upset her, so the next time we used it we put her diaper on and within minutes she was pooping and boy did she poop alot!! So they work. Talk to you dr about the situation and find out how often you should use them. They are safe to use and will help with any constipation issues you may have.
Angela