Chronic Constipation

My daughter has the same problem so her doc has her on Miralax which is a powder stool softener we put in her drink. She just needs a little bit each day to keep her regular. No more painful poopies!!

Like everyone else said, pear juice and white grape juice are amazing! My daughter has been on Miralax since she was like 5 months old, it was a perscription back then! But maybe the juice will work for you!

Hello Shaun. I personaly don't like taking Laxatives myself or give my children any. When my now 2yo hasn't gone in a day or is having trouble going, I give her juice...more than she should have. I think it is a natural laxative. At 18months old I think she is old enough for any all natural juice. Yes, they should only have 4-6 oz a day, but if she is constapated, I would give her several cups to get things cleared up for her. Hope that helps!

We asked about the pellets once with our youngest. Our pediatrician once told us she could be getting too much dairy.

With the fruit - make sure to back off bananas. I've been told that apples can cause constipation too, although that's never been the case with me. You might try also encouraging pears and grapes.

I know banana's have a lot of potassium - that could be it - if she has a lot of potassium in her diet then that might cause it. We were always told that grapes make you go, and bananas make it stop.

One other thing to try would be to make sure she gets some yogurt in - or drinks acidophollus milk....try to make sure she has the "good enzymes" in her stomach. Even something like a "pro-biotic" from someplace like GNC.

Just a few thoughts....good luck!

MIRALAX is a very safe and non-habit forming medicine for children!!! My son also has chronic constipation - his pediatric gastro prescribed this for him when he was only 5 months old. It has only recently become available over the counter. I hope that this is helpful!

Probiotics are probably needed--check out the natural food stores or co-ops for the best brands--most of the drugstore varietes are not so good --and dairy allergies are a big problem--I did not find out I had dairy allergy until I was an adult --was raised on a dairy farm! I was constipated most of my life--also gluten intolerance can cause this though most DRs won't consider it unless the problem is the opposite but it is not for me and many others--try a gluten and dairy free diet and see if she is not any better. If you need any tips on how to do this email me.

My son eats Activia yogurt almost daily. Sometimes, I'd add in Miralax if it's been too many days. In the morning, he gets apricots in his cereal, raisins too. Dehydration could play a part in constipation too. Good luck. We're still trying to find our perfect combo without meds or suppositories.

my daughter has that problem and her dr gave her miralax they still do it by prescription thats how my daughter got hers and since she took that she hasnt had any problems and dont need it anymore she is 20 months old and has had the same exact problems hope that helps

My son is the same age and has the same problem.

You might have more luck with pear juice because it has a different kind of sugar in it that will help the stool absorb the fluid better.

MY son eats a ton of fruit, but is not a good drinker. Per his doc's instruction, and confirmed by my husband, also a doc, we give him a teaspoon of Miralax in his milk every day and it has worked wonders. It is not just in case. Within two days, he was going form pooping every other day to two to htree times a day, with my stress and the consistency is just right.

Be proactive here, this is how kids hold it in which can cause a ton of other much more serious problems. A taspoon of "adult meds" are not the worst that you can do.

Does she eat alot of bannanas, rice or applesauce? Even those things are good for you too much can make your poo too hard. They are binding foods and if you have IBS or cronic diarreah thats what they tell you to eat to firm things up. Have you tried prunes or prune juice? Also just water would probably help. If you add fiber as some have recommended please remember if you take any kind of fiber supplement you have to add additional water to ther diet or you get the reverse effect you want. I have IBS and its really a delicate balance to get things moving the way you want them too. I would try a food diary and track what things help and what things dont that is a really good place to start. If it doesn't resolve itself in a few months with diet change I wouuld seek a second opinion. Good luck

I don't know the details of the situation, but when I was about 10, my mom's best friend came to visit us with her 4yr old daughter. She had the same problem, and the dr did not ignore it. It was not normal, and I vaguely remember her having tests, procedures, etc. done. I wish I had more detailed info for you, but I just wanted to let you know to get a 2nd opinion. There could be deeper rooted problems.

My sister used a product called Little Tummies for her baby. It just helped make the poop softer so it didn't hurt him. I don't have the personal experience, but I know she highly recommends it. You can find it at Wal-Mart or any store like that. Hope this helps!

Hi Shaun
I've just recently become aware of the fact that most of us are Magnesium deficient. This can cause constipation along with lots of other things.
Try giving her a magnesium supplement. I use Cal-Mag available at the health food store. I'm not sure about that for her age. You could just give her half the quantity.
Does she eat a lot of cheese? This can cause this also.
If I can help further, let me know. As you can see I have an interest in our health and wellness.
Take care
L.

Hello. Our son had the same problem but AFTER he was potty trained. He had the ole' I am busy and don't want to stop sso I will hold it and keep playing. This led to anal tears which only led to more with holding and constipation. I would think that it's not okay at all, even if not harmful for her still it hurts her and why should she have to endure that every day? Poor baby. We tried every thing also and finally had to turn to warmed prune juice I think at dinner but maybe lunch. I can't honestly say wether it was the prune juice that worked or him being really fed up with prune juice. Maybe a combo of the two. Have you tried warming it? Maybe you could add another cupful. I may be mistaken but doesn't milk make this problem worse? I am guessing she is drinking whole milk maybe you could try one cup of skim milk which has more water. Is she drinking water? Did she have this problem when she was a baby being breastfed or on formula? Also I have always understood that the "pellets" are dry and hard from lack of liquid. If you can't find anything to help her maybe another visit to the dr. is in order or maybe a new dr.

Perhaps the vitamin is too much. Sometimes they can cause constipation (I think the iron). Is she taking a vitamin for young children? I know there are lots out there, but most children's vitamins are not dosed for 18 month olds, but for children 4 and up. My son also suffers from chronic constipation and we used miralax (which is used for children and adults alike - it was recommended by the pediatrician). It really helped. Make sure she drinks lots of fluids and try some other fiber rich foods and avoid the "binding" ones like bananas. It seems like a good sign that she's going everyday, but as you begin potty training (I'm assuming by your description and her age that she is not potty trained) this can become a hindrance and she may begin withholding her BMs and that can be bad (it's what my son did).

I would suggest letting her have more liquids through out the day. Sounds like she might not have enough liquids in her system. Maybe getting her a cup and refilling it as she empties it. Also a little Dark Karo syrup in my daughter's milk when she was younger really helped her.

Good luck.