I have 4 yr old granddaughter who is fully Pee-Pee trained, day and night. But strugging to do BM in toilet. Dr recommended mineral oil to lossen stools. Not working. she will start kindergarden in late August. She is mature in every other way. Knows her numbers, letters, writes her name and articulate for a 4 year old. She has trouble with constipation....self enduced since she tries to keep the poo in. She has had several trips to doctor to get cleaned out. One time she was so bad that it made her sick and was throwing up.
Has had some succuess this week. Thank you for all your comments. I am glad to hear about some alternatives to mineral oil. She has been taking mineral oil regularly for more than a year. Sadly she won't eat prunes but she loves most other fruits and vegetables. She must need more fibre than most.
Can't tell by your info if she is constipated. Mineral oil is not a good idea--cod liver oil or magnesium is better. Plus more water and making sure she is getting plenty of fiber from whole fruits and veggies. Or is she not using the toilet?
Dr. A. Dunev
I found a product at the health food store called "Calm". It is a vitamin product, basically magnesium. They have this product for children, also. It is very easy to take and easy on the tummy and intestines. Quite natural feeling. M. G.
Hi R.,
I had to take my daughter to a pediatric gastroenterologist because she was so constipated. He suggested MIralax, you can buy it over the counter. Water down everything she drinks, milk, juice, etc. Blueberries, broccoli, apples, oranges might help, too. Good luck.
Hi R.,
I have read the advice that 2 other moms wrote. They are very informative. I also would like to add to the list a few ideas. I had some problem with BM during my pregnancy and prune juice works like magic! YOu can also try plums as well. My 3 yrs old daughter eats yam and oat meal in the morning as breakfast. These are rich in fiber as well. So hope this will help.
Hi R.! You sound like a WONDERFUL grandma, and so blessed to be able to be close to your grandkids. I have 7 kids, and over the years, though they are all grown up, the one thing that always seemed to be the problem in that area was a need for more fiber and probiotics (good yogurt works for that too), PLUS, more water in the diet, (grape juice works wonders too!). To show the kids how drinking more water helps them go to the bathroom easier, I used to demonstrate this way: stuff a wad of toilet paper into an empty toilet paper tube, hold it over the sink and try to shake the paper out the bottom of the tube. Then tell them, "This won't come out, because it's dry, but if I pour water into the tube, it will come right out the bottom."
There is a lady who tells all about FIBER and it's benefits: - she does the HOPE method to improve health - Have you heard about her on PBS? Hope stands for:
H= High Fiber
O= Omega three oils
P= Probiotics
E= Enzymes
http://www.brendawatson.com/In-the-News/Brenda's-News...
I've learned a lot from watching her, and now I've lost 10 lbs without trying, plus never have constipation if I follow the diet that way. I heard someone say long ago:
"CONSTIPATION IS THE THIEF OF HEALTH" and it seems to be true!
This IS a rather 'crappy' topic to discuss, is it not? But I wish you all the best, and that everything will come out all right in the end!
Blessings,
R.
PS I made a website with my tips for moms here, if you wish to visit it here:
http://www.gomommygo.com/
There is a page on potty training there too. Please feel free to let me know if you can think of any other ideas that might help other moms! If I get time, I will add them as I go!
We had the same problem and she is going poo on the potty now! I talked to her about why she was scared and she is on the constipated side. Started to give her a lot more fruits and veges...garbanzo beans, berries, and buy double fiber bread that has 5-6 grams of fiber...All this helped and we made a treasure chest with prizes for when she went on the potty. She did half in the potty, half in her pants, then on the potty...slow process of a few weeks but now she is 100%. Good luck!
