My daughter has been suffering from constipation for about 10 months. Her pediatrician has recommended giving her Miralax, which we have been doing. However, every time we take her off the Miralax for a few days, her constipation comes back. I understand that constipation does not have to do with the frequency of her BM's and more to do with the hard stools she passes. Sometimes the BM's are like little hard pebbles with a blackish-brown coating and sometimes they are very large, hard stools. We took one of the larger, and more smellier BM's to the pediatrician, and she said there was no blood in her stool. She could not explain this dark coating to us. My daughter is still breastfeeding (wrong or right, it's the way she likes it), and this problem seems to have occurred since we began feeding her more solid foods. She drinks plenty of water every day and we offer her plenty of fruit like blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon. She is also slow to gain weight, dropping between the 5-10th percentile but her height is at the 25th percentile. I'm wondering if anyone else has had a problem like this. We have tried many natural remedies like karo syrup, blackstrap molasses, and even Sun-Chlorella to no avail. Only the miralax and berries seem to help, but I don't think she should be on the Miralax forever. What do you think?
Activity level does influence bowel movements, inactivity being associated with constipation. Also, have you thought about food allergies or whether she may be voluntarily holding back on passing BMs?
First off - Congrats on still breastfeeding! My son BF til he was 25 months.
He had the same issue for a while, not as long as your daughter, but what I found that helped was pears, prunes, and baby laxitive drops. I used about 1/3 the recommended dosage with the laxitive drops and mixed it in with the fruit, I used canned or fresh pears and baby food prunes.
It could be from the breastmilk also - are you on any new meds? High coffee or caffine intake could be the cause. Make sure YOU are drinking plenty of water and eating lots of friut and healthy items. I slacked on feeding myself when things were hectic - it affected my son who was still breastfeeding more than it affected me!
Good luck! Hope she's better soon!
Hi J.. I have not ever encountered this problem myself, but I have been doing a lot of research on herbal medicine and think that you may want to try slippery elm bark powder. It is very nutritious and supposed to be fool proof for eliminating constipation in babies. You just mix the powder with breastmilk or water and then feed it to her. I fed it to my baby the other day cause he hadn't pooped in 10 days and he loved it. It smells and tastes a bit like maple syrup, so she probably will take it well. I don't know exactly how much to give her. I would start her off with a little to make sure she doesn't have a reaction (like you do with all new foods) and then use your judgement from there. My guy loved it... and then pooped the next day for me (I didn't give him a whole lot & fed it to him in the evening). It ended up that he was not constipated, though (he is 8 months old and mostly still breastfed with a little bit of solids introduced). I do have to say that he didn't seem to grunt or strain as much as he sometimes does when he goes... especially after it having been such a long time! Good luck. I hope your daughter feels better soon. :)
I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's problem. I was really surprised to hear that you are still nursing, as breastmilk tends to have a natural laxative effect. All 4 of my kids were breastfed into toddlerhood and none ever experienced constipation. All of my friends kids are also breastfed, and again I've never heard of any struggling with constipation. I can't imagine what the problem is, but I just wanted to reassure you that breastfeeding is definitely not to blame. Have you seen an allergist? I've known the occassional child with food allergies that struggles with chronic constipation (one was allergic to dairy proteins, one to the gluten in wheat). I don't know where you live, but I've heard Grosse Pointe Allergy & Asthma is a great place - you mentioned UM, I'm sure there's somewhere good in AA. Good luck!
I had a very similar problem with one of my daughters and what worked best for her was/is feeding her fig newtons--more specifically, "Fig Newmans," from Paul Newman's line of foods. One or two cookies is all it takes. I make sure she eats them when she seems to be having a problem or has eaten an extra amount of cheese or bananas, the most frequent triggers.
Pay close attention to what you are eating and drinking. If you are not taking in additional fluid (twice what you would if not BF) then that could be part of the problem along with whatever meds you might be on. Most meds have never been tested for passage into breastmilk and while you can have it done, good luck finding a lab that will do it without doctor's orders.
My youngest (now one) went through that when he started on baby food. He would go days without pooping and then when he did the first couple would be relatively hard and then he'd overflow diapers for several hours. My pediatrician recommended extra liquid, more water than juice because while juice is good for them, it has a high sugar content (even natual juices have naturally occuring sugar) and can constipate the child. She also recommended the BRAT (banana, rice, applesauce (LOTS of applesauce) and toast_diet. It kind of resets their systems. While yogurt is good for the active probiotics, it is a dairy product and they can/will cause similar problems. Most of them have a lot of sugar too.
Try and stay away from foods that are more difficult to digest like corn, broccoli, cauliflower (gasy foods usually), peanut butter (you and the child alike). In a lot of ways, if you won't feed it to your child, you shouldn't eat it either if you are still BF. I don't like giving toddlers meds unless medically required (antibiotics for ear infections, or serious medical problems) so I never did the Miralax although our pedi. recommended. IF you have any "infant" decongestant; DON'T use it. That can constipate them also. Not to mention if you look at most dosing labels they say if under 2 contact the doctor or not to use at all.
Just my 2cents worth. Hope your daughter gets over this soon, I know it sucks!
K. G.
I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. My niece is 3 years old and is going through the same thing. She has seen a few doctors and has been given the same advice as you. I agree with you that she should not be on the laxative for a longer period of time. Has she had a stomach virus, been on any meds or antibiotics in the last year? You might want to try a probiotic. A probiotic promotes good digestion, facilitates the absorption of nutrients, boosts the immune system and helps prevent an overgrowth of harmful organisms in the digestive tract. Basically what is does is balance the flora in your digestive tract. My son is 22 months and I have him on a multivitamin/mineral supplement powder that also contains a probiotic. http://www.shaklee.net/dorenzo/product/20635 He does not have any problems with his digestion or bms at all! Let me know if you would like more info.
Hi
We suffered this problem with my son from 8 months to 3 years old and were also given the Miralax and he was on it for about a year. No one could ever explain why.
My advice is to be patient (not very helpful but it was the only thing that worked)
It has driven me to tears and anger at times but he has finally overcome the problem.
We did find some relief using a natural laxative we found at Whole Food in the children's vitamin section.
I also would love to congratulate you on Breast Feeding. I breast fed my son until 3 and half!!!
HI J.,
So many times we get swept away with all the different causes of what this could be from then all of a sudden we are putting our kids on very hard regimins.
You need to think basics. Great that you are still breast feeding that's smart. Great that you are giving plenty of fruits and veggies, very good for digestion.
I would bet the problem is the water. I know call me crazy but listen. Iron is in water, it will constipate you, just like the iron in baby formula. Make sense? Are you drinking the same water because she could be getting a double dose in the breast milk. What leads me to believe this, is you said she has black stool, very common due to Iron.
I would try to stop giving the extra water for a while see what happens, let me know.
Try taking her to a chiropractor. When my daughters hips and pelvis are out of whack (happens often in children) it has a noticeable effect on her bowels. My daughter is 19 months. It doesn't hurt, not scary, but makes everything run smoothly!
If she is drinking cow's milk, switch to soy for a couple of weeks. We had an experience with my son where, until he was about 2 1/2, he had a really difficult time digesting cow's milk (which is VERY common). Soy milk is much easier to digest. Our poor son was in almost constant pain until we figured it out. I could have strangled our doctor for never suggesting soy (we got a new one after that).
I hope it helps.
hi my son who is seven has the same problems he is also on that same meds. but my doctor said to keep him away from any food that will constapate him like cheese and all. feed lots of fruits specially raisins let her snack on them all day and prunes get the ones that are dried like rasins.they really dont taste bad my son gobbles them up feed her things that would make stool loose juice try prune juice she may suprise you and drink it.the medicine i dont think is a huge problem cause its just like fiber and stuff just loosens stool and makes it regular. also take care of this problem now cause my sons problem came from costapation it streched his colon out and he was pooping his pants and didnt realize he had to go now we are retraining him making sure he goes poo at least once a day. that way his colon will shrink back down to normal size again and he can feel that he has to go.hope this helps a little
My son has had the same problem since he was little and he four know. His Collen is three times the normal size and is packed with bowel. They just put him on moral ax as well. He has always been tinny and has lost weight since his three year visit he is turning four.
My son takes a wonderful product that may help...I am a Product Broker with an awesome multi-vitamin for children. For details, visit www.marketamerica.com/TheVoiceOfTruth and look at the Might-A-Mins. The are isotonic (see the product demo), so she can drink them and they contain everything that her little body needs to get regular!
Good luck!
Yogurt has really helped to regulate me (and dan active, probiotics, etc.) i have have chronic constipation my whole life. I am 52 and for the past 1 1/2 years, i have faithfully ingested some form of good bacteria and i am now regular....and besides that, the benefit of a better immune system. Hope this helps, J.
My 3 year old daughter has also had trouble with constipation since she was released form the hospital as an infant. We have tried everything from prunes to beans to juices and even caro syrup. Nothing worked until we tried Miralax. Potty training was torturous until we found the releif that Miralax has given her. She is now doing well and has consistant bowel movements everyday. If we miss even one dose her touble starts all over again. I have asked her pediatric gastro intestinal doctor if she will need to be on this medication for the rest of her life and he said maybe and maybe not. Every child is different. Some children outgrow it and others do not. Continue doing what you are doing and good luck!!
H. Swift
Royal Oak, MI
My son has suffered with this and he is finally better by following WAPF.
I purchase the coconut oil, probiotics, and cod liver oil from www.appleadayandbeyond.com - this diet is also recommended for your 18 mos. old. My boys thrive on WAPF foods.
Check out www.westonaprice.org (WAPF) for all kinds of information:
Diet for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
Cod Liver Oil to supply 20,000 IU vitamin A and 2000 IU vitamin D per day
1 quart (or 32 ounces) whole milk daily, preferably raw and from pasture-fed cows (learn more about raw milk on our website, A Campaign for Real Milk, www.realmilk.com)
4 tablespoons butter daily, preferably from pasture-fed cows
2 or more eggs daily, preferably from pastured chickens
Additional egg yolks daily, added to smoothies, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, etc.
3-4 ounces fresh liver, once or twice per week (If you have been told to avoid liver for fear of getting "too much Vitamin A," be sure to read Vitamin A Saga)
Fresh seafood, 2-4 times per week, particularly wild salmon, shellfish and fish eggs
Fresh beef or lamb daily, always consumed with the fat
Oily fish or lard daily, for vitamin D
2 tablespoons coconut oil daily, used in cooking or smoothies, etc.
Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages
Bone broths used in soups, stews and sauces
Soaked whole grains
Fresh vegetables and fruits
AVOID:
Trans fatty acids (e.g., hydrogenated oils)
Junk foods
Commercial fried foods
Sugar
White flour
Soft drinks
Caffeine
Alcohol
Cigarettes
Drugs (even prescription drugs)
We give my daughter grape juice, one glass per day. She loves milk and would drink it all the time, so she used to get constipated and then hold it in because it would hurt. I don't have the problem with my son because he loves orange juice and requests it. At first we got her 'going' with mineral oil and magnesium citrate. (what our doc recommended). After she went a few times and was comfortable again, we just made sure that she got that glass of juice everyday(and still do). We haven't had a problem since. Good luck and God Bless.
S.
My daughter who is 7 now, was constipated from ages 2-5 on and off, and had to be on Miralax as well. Make sure she is getting plenty of fluids and don't worry about using Miralax, it isn't addictive and it does take months for them to get used to going poop without the pain. That is what happened to my daughter, she was scared to go and held it and their bodies absorb moisture from it and makes them even more constipated. Potty training wasn't fun because she was always afraid it was going to hurt. But I didn't want to give her the Miralax everyday, but then the constipation would just come back. So my advice would be to give it to her everyday in her sippy cup, until she outgrows the problem. And what helped me was to keep putting her on the potty even if she said she didn't have to go. I know your daughter is still little, but it's something to keep in mind if she's still having problems when she's training. But do whatever you feel comfortable with. Good luck!
Hi J.
My daughter also had trouble with constipation. She is 4 now and is alot better... so it does pass. But in the mean time, here are some ideas... have you thought about a gluten intolerance? Have you tried prunes and pears? My daughter had to have prune juice daily and pears three to four days a week to keep her regular. Your daughter's percentages are fine and I wouldn't worry about still breastfeeding her at 18months... kids are all individuals. My daughter still tells me if she had a hard one and then goes and gets herself a yoghurt drink (DanActive). The water is great, but don't forget that sugar can also help pass stools... jello is great if your daughter likes it, also fennel tea which can be drunk cold. My pediatrician in switzerland, where my daughter was born, just told me to keep trying different combinations and that some kids are a bit underdeveloped in that area, but that she will catch up, and she did. She used to push so hard that she would be crying and pushing for forty minutes in my arms and then would collapse asleep as soon as it was out... so I really sympathise!
My 20 month old had a problem with hard stools also. We tried changing his diet but nothing worked (we never tried medicines). What we found that worked beautifully was prune juice. I'd put half prune juice and half water in his cup and we'd go through about 5 diapers in one day just with poopy ones. The only problem was he'd want more juice the next day too. Good luck.
