Constipation Relief for 2 1/2 Yr Old

Have you tried taking dairy out of her diet for a few weeks? Dairy causes a lot of problems for little ones (and big people too). My son has been dairy intollerant for most of his life and may still be. When he was younger, he had really bad gas and cramping. We are now doing a dairy trial and he is getting constipated (I've only given him less than 1/2 teaspoon of powdered milk per day!) . All this to say, dairy can be really problematic. It is worth a try.
You probably know this but you should also avoid rice, bananas, and processed white breads while she is constipated because those will only stop her up more.
Good luck.

My cousin used to have this problem when he was little. My oldest daughter did once in a while too. My aunt & I both mixed Mineral Oil in orange juice. The Mineral Oil makes things slip right out. Good luck!

We tried a lot of things with my daughter and the only thing that worked was white grape juice. She is 3 now and when her tummy hurts "like that" she will ask for her tummy juice to help her poop.

Have you put her in a warm bath with baking soda yet? That worked for my children.

gerber makes an apple prune juice that tastes like apple. we mix it in with some grape juice for our dd. she has problems with constipation when she drinks too much milk and we rely on some prune juice! you may also try some fiber granola bars. 1/2 a bar usually does the trick for my kiddo when prune juice wasn't available.

Our pediatrician has told us to give my son Milk of Magnesia since he was tiny. This works every time for us. Just watch out because it doesn't take much for it to work! Good luck!

My 2.5 year old has been going through the same since Nov. We initially thought he was having trouble going too, but then we realized that every time it looks like he is trying to go and can't, he is actually trying very hard NOT to go! I was actually going to ask a question to the group about this today too. We have had him to the doctor several times and now have seen a GI specialist to make sure nothing else is going on. Basically, we give him miralax. My husband is a pharmacist, and said that miralax is safe, even in higher doses like we have had to use. It is a stool softener, not a laxative. It works well to keep things softer so it is easier to go. The problem with us is that our son has such will power that he still is able to hold it in for the most part until he is asleep and relaxed. It makes for extra baths and lots of laundry changing. I thought I would mention our issues in case your daughter is doing the same with withholding. I think it also has to do with us having a new baby in August and having started potty training.

Good luck!!

White grape juice and pear juice always did the trick. And LOTS of water! And very little sugar!

STOP giving her juice. She should be drinking lots of water.

What other types of foods have you added to her diet? Any high fiber cereals? Oatmeal? Apples or pears? What about other dried fruits - appricots are good.

My daughter suffered from severe consitipation for a few years and was seen by a specialist. He recommended Miralax and mineral oil. It works great!

I'd start keeping a food journal for her, if you haven't already. Did she start eating something new around Christmas? Really take a close look at her diet and then start eliminating certain foods to see which one is the culprit.

Eliminate all fake sugars, such as sucralose (Splenda), sorbitol, xylitol, malitol, and manitol (found in soda, sugar-free gum, and desserts). Many people are very sensitive to these sugar substitutes. They can cause irritability, mood swings, headaches, and yes, Terrible Constipation.

If her constipation persists, try making real oatmeal (not instant), or have her snack on apples and pears. Yogurt is also helpful.

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Apricot Juice works really well as a natural remedy :)

Are you giving her plain, cold prune juice? My RN at the hospital where I birthed my twins gave me the best natural constipation remedy I've ever used, on myself and my children. I gag when cold prune juice passes my lips, so she made me this concoction that was actually quite tasty. Heat the prune juice (about 8oz) with two tablespoons of lemon juice mixed into it. Something about the warmth, as well as the lemon juice, totally transforms the taste. I really hope she will drink it, because it will work if she does!

We have had some serious problems with this issue. The *only* thing that has worked for us is consistant use of Miralax -- Every day until she was comfortable going on a regular basis and now we back off to every other day.

When I say serious, I mean like a WEEK without going. It was bad. So I am confident that if your little one stays off of cheese as much as possible (until you get her "moving") and Miralax her up (we have done 1/2 cap since our's was 2 or 2 1/2), she'll start getting regular.

The thing about fiber is, they HAVE to drink a TON of water. Otherwise, it will get worse. So if she's eating beans, etc (good for her, they are so good for her!) she must drink plenty of water.

Good luck! I know this causes a lot of concern and frustration.

E

I think a lot of doctors prefer Miralax now - you might try that rather than the Benefiber. From a food standpoint, use a high fiber bread (at least 4 or 5 grams), sweet potatoes, real oatmeal (not the instant envelopes) and/or use oatmeal to make fruit crisp, and raw apple slices are a few things that are pretty easy for kids to accept. Lots of water helps, too.

My sister's boys have had this problem that (for her boys anyway) stemmed from potty training. Her older boy will fight his urge to have a BM even if he is hurting. Anyway, I've babysat on several occasions and I make banana bran muffins. He loves that they are fresh and homemade, he eats so many on the spot that he ends up going (BMs) about three times a day. It works :) Good luck.

Try grapes, blueberries, and corn. Those go right through my kids, and they like them so much that they tend to eat a lot at one sitting.

Obviously, other fruits/veggies/whole grains and pushnig the fluids should help, too.

Cut back on the juice (only 4 oz per day, AT MOST), and only give apple, pear, or prune juice, as these do have a laxative effect. Instead, give lots of water. Lots & lots of water.

Cut back on dairy, including milk, yogurt, and especially cheese. Mix a tsp or two of pureed prunes into what limited yogurt you do give, and/or into applesauce or baked goods (baked goods you can up the amount of prunes easily).

Up the fiber intake with whole grain breads, bagels, english muffins, tortillas & wraps. Get her eating lots of whole fruits & veggies (pears in particular can be helpful, but any fruit or veg should help--except for green bananas, which will make the constipation worse).

Talk to your doctor about Miralax. This is a gentle, non-habit forming laxative.

Have you tried any of the FiberOne products? They have cereal, breakfast bars, etc.... They are loaded with Fiber and they are really good. They taste great I have to limit my kids because if I didnt they would eat tons of it which is a negative affect for them since they are so regular to begin with. Hope that helps you out.