He is 3.5 and is constipated like crazy. He eats plenty of fiber, fruits and veggies- and i give him probiotics. However, its like pulling teeth to get him to drink enough water, juice (watered down) or anything. I know his constipation is because of this. He likes apple juice, grape juice and other juices, which I water down so he will get some water in him. He also likes water. But he probably drinks 2 little cups (maybe 5 oz each) a day. I am constantly telling him to drink, drink, drink. But he just takes little sips and then says he's not thirsty. Soooo, any ideas what I can do to get him to drink more?
He needs liquids so lets break this down. Make a sluchy, ice and fruit in a blender. Offer him soup for his snack. Popsciles (sp)
Do you allow him to have a sippy cup around the house? Maybe if he had a sippy cup to keep with him, he's drink more.
I hope this helps.
I have always had problems with constipation and guess what? Im never thirsty either! It stinks! We have these freezer pop things and my daughter thinks its a treat. Its just frozen water! Try that. My daughter doesn't like water or juice very much either. Give him some gatorade. Mine drinks it cuz she sees her brother drink it! Give the ice pops a try. Its just flavored water
Most of the spring and summer fruits that are coming out have plenty of water in them. So, he's probably getting enough fluid but going through some changes that are causing constipation. The probiotics could be part of the culprit. Make him some smoothies with the fruits, ice and fruits blended, maybe make it kind of thick so he eats it with a spoon and he'll get all the liquid better that way? Freeze water with some fruit juice and have him eat it like a popsicle... you gotta trick em sometimes.
If his pee is cloudy that is an indication of dehydration, if it's not he's probably okay. If you blend his apples (skin on) and turn them into smoothies he may digest the fiber better that way.... just my thoughts.
We bought our son a camel back for hiking last year (one of those little hiking backpacks with the pouch inside and the tube that goes to your mouth so you can drink while you hike). Wow! Our son never drank enough before this but LOVED wearing it all summer when hiking and bike riding and he would drink a lot. They make small ones for young children, so maybe this would appeal to your son? Another idea is popsicles. Another idea is straws. If we put a straw in our son's cup he will drink so much more. For some reason it just makes it more fun I guess. We wash and reuse straws and we have some really fun ones. Another idea is let him pick out his own fancy water bottle. At mealtimes at our house our son cannot be excused from the table till he has finished his water/milk. It's just a mealtime rule and since he is so used to it he does it. We do this also bc we live in a VERY dry part of the country and if he does not drink enough he starts getting headaches. Good luck getting your son to drink more!
My 5 yo grandson is a lot like this. Not thirsty AND prone to constipation. Lots of fiber is great, but can actually be constipating if not accompanied by water.
When I spend a day with him, I do what his parents do, and hold a straw up to his mouth several times during an hour of play, encouraging him to sip often. We do this a couple of times a day. He's more likely to drink if he doesn't have to stop his game, and will often drink more while he's distracted. He can get several additional ounces that way. Plus, at some point during the day, we have a drinking race, to see who can finish a glass of water first. He enjoys that, and I get hydrated, too.
Hi,
My daughter is the same way... she is 5 now, and still doesn't drink enough. However, she is doing better and know atleast knows when she is thirst (though by then I am sure she is starting to dehydrate!) What has worked for her is using straws... she tends to drink more that way, so I buy straws in bulk and give her all of her drinks with a straw. You could also buy some of those fun straws. She also loved the water bottles my husband and I had so I bought her the kids version. We bring it everywhere with us... car rides especially, because she is sitting and not preoccupied so she will take the time to drink. Now that she is older, I tell her that it is important to drink and explain why, and she understands to some point... and that helps. I also make sure she finishes her milk (or drink) at dinner before she can have a treat. Good luck!
Soup, water melon, popcycles??? I'm like him too and also constipated. I've tried for YEARS to figure it out.
I would make the liquids he does drink really count--water or water down pear, white grape or prune juice.
Peaches, peas, pears are all GREAT foods for reducing constipation. Apple juice used to constipate my son, so be aware of that. It constipates some kids.
My son is only 8 months old and he's had this problem since BIRTH!. Ive been telling the doctor since he was born. I have worked at a daycare and as a nanny and have seen some nasssty mushy gross poops.. my son has done "nuggets" forever. He doesn't like to drink, he likes his food muuuch better. Ive had to basically force him to drink before he eats now. It's gotten much better since ive been pushing liquids but he still has pretty firm b.m.'s. Sorry not much advice just similar. :) have a feeling i'll be in your shoes in a couple years
If he's not a good drinker, how about offering high water content foods like watermelon? Here are some other ideas:
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/nutrition/a/05_constipatio...
Good luck :)
Every one has had great ideas so far :) The one that the Dr told me was pretzils.. they have salt on them so they make you thirsty. I am not saying a whole bag (not even close), but a few as afternoon snack would be ok. Tho icepops work too, but in winter that can be hard.. (I know.. nice and warm now.. ) you can get the icepop molds from target, or kmart, or walmart or just use a paper cup and popsicle stick (let it freeze for 3 hours or so before putting in the stick or they dont stand)
I too dont drink even close to the amount of water I should. I really only like it COLD and it must be filtered or I wont touch it. I know.. I am fussy.. But I started keeping a large bottle of it in the fridge that we refill from the britta filter and I have been TRYING to drink the whole thing each day. He might not like the taste of plain tap water either. My girls LOVED it when I would put a tiny bit of lemmon juice in the water. Just a few drops, and it would be gone!
Good luck!!
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Sounds like you're doing what you need to do, maybe make a game out of it so that he will drink more? I have twin girls who turn 4 this month and I use bribery to get them to do things :) Pour a glass for both of you and see who can drink it faster or just promise him something he wants if he drinks a whole glass of juice/water. Good luck!
Does he like watermelon or cucumber? Those are both "living waters" that work well. Also-- make your own popsicles from watered-down juice!
