Any ideas on how to help my son's constant constipation?

No - posted on 09/26/2009

does he drink milk everyday? if so, try a small cup of prune juice, if he doesn't like it, mix it with some punch or another drink like pedialyte. it works, but watch out girl, its a coming out!

Kathy - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Alison:

Any ideas on how to help my son's constant constipation?

My sons seems to be constantly constipated - have tried banana's, extra water, apple juice, kiwi fruit, coloxyl drops, parachoc and nothing really seems to help. Any ideas????

Try switching him from regular milk to soy milk. Worked wonders for my friend's granddaughter.

Phyllis - posted on 09/26/2009

one word: acidophilus. Would've saved my daughter 10 years of misery if we'd known earlier.



God bless!

Elizabeth - posted on 09/26/2009

prunes or prune juice!

Amanda - posted on 09/26/2009

He need to eat some broccoli more offten fi he don't like it like my daughter dont like vage that much liquid dice it then add it to your food like gravy or when you back a cake.

i know it don't sound nice but i did it and taste it and feed it to my kids it does work and a good job too

Marcia - posted on 09/26/2009

My Grandson used to have the same problem and they fed him strawberries and broccoli atleast once a day. Rasins are also a good thing, they come in those cute lil boxes tgat he will like to eat out of!!

Darlene - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Alison:

Any ideas on how to help my son's constant constipation?

My sons seems to be constantly constipated - have tried banana's, extra water, apple juice, kiwi fruit, coloxyl drops, parachoc and nothing really seems to help. Any ideas????

How much caffine does he drank?  Caffine is constipating.

 

Victoria - posted on 09/26/2009

Hi Alison! have you tried pinapple, it worked great on my son! let us know how he did.

Ariesa - posted on 09/26/2009

Don't give him so much milk, yes extra water. My son went through the same thing he went through, when he turned 1. But he was bleeding from his bottom when I took him to the emergency room for the 3rd time. The doctor told me to top giving him milk, so he was latoce intolent (sp). Just see how he acts with different things that you give him, keep a jornal. Also what I give my kids is Senokot look in the were the things for the bowels and etc. in the stores. It helps my whole family.

Shannon - posted on 09/26/2009

Even if you tried extra water, I would still give more water. You would be amazed how fast an energetic child can use up the water they have drank and dehydrate themselves. That and every snack time have it be things like prunes, grapes, juice with magnesium in it (i can't remember which juice I found a high content in and had to cut off for my daughter. Juicy Juice?) pears, etc.

Kathi - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Alison:

Any ideas on how to help my son's constant constipation?

My sons seems to be constantly constipated - have tried banana's, extra water, apple juice, kiwi fruit, coloxyl drops, parachoc and nothing really seems to help. Any ideas????

Banana's are highly constipating, so for a time, I would stop giving him those. Try giving him some diluted prune juice and cut back on cereals and green veggies as they have a higher iron content. Also if you are giving him vitamins with iron, stop for a while. The iron is highly constipating as well. Same if he is on full iron formula...switch to low iron for a bit. Since I'm not sure of his age... cheese and dairy can cause constipation, so if he is eating any other dairy besides  formula or breast milk, I would cut back. Make sure he is well hydrated (mix his juice half with water).  Try to give him more fiber... sweet potatoes, carrots, real oatmeal (not baby oatmeal) since it helps regulate the water in the intestine, whole grain pasta, shredded wheat or cream of wheat.  And also exercising his legs (playing the wheels on the bus) and running around (if he is walking) will help to move things through the digestive system more quickly.

Jennifer - posted on 09/26/2009

You can try Metamucil or Citracel every morning in water or juice along with 1 tsp of mineral oil. It'll slide right out!

Jennifer - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Karen:

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that he gets a serving of Danactiv yogurt every single day and a cup of plum juice every other day to help with his constipation.

Lori - posted on 09/26/2009

My daughter had the same problem and it started when we switched her to regular milk. Turned out (after trying everything else that everyone here suggested) that she's not so much lactose intolerant as it's the protein in regular cow's milk that binds her up. We have been giving her Lactaid milk (not soy) and have not had a problem since!! Good luck.

Kristie - posted on 09/26/2009

I used prune juice in my son's bottle and a few grains of Senekot as he got in the toddler years.

Sue - posted on 09/26/2009

I had it all through childhood, and it helped some as an adult to eat lots and lots of fruits and vegetables. When I stopped eating dairy and wheat, though, constipation went away almost immediately. It may be caused by a food intolerance.

Allison - posted on 09/26/2009

Well banana's ARENT GOOD FOR CONSTIPATION, they bind u up, just like rice, they have a child stool softner, and will usually help them go, or maybe try mylocon drops, they worked good for my kids!

Brenda - posted on 09/26/2009

prune juice, or naked juice makes a drink called Green Machine

Cindy - posted on 09/26/2009

my daughter did/has the same issue. at a young age we started giving her prunes and prune juice.

Karen - posted on 09/26/2009

Mona Vie!

Gaye - posted on 09/26/2009

Banana's help bind you up, try prune juice or make some little cakes or pancakes with psylum husk mixed in before you cook, high in fibre and yummy too. ( you can get this from health food stores, some coles or woolies might carry this also) some kids can go once a week. but if he seems upset and off his food get medical opiopn.

Nancy - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Alison:

Any ideas on how to help my son's constant constipation?

My sons seems to be constantly constipated - have tried banana's, extra water, apple juice, kiwi fruit, coloxyl drops, parachoc and nothing really seems to help. Any ideas????

Hello Allison, my name is Nance my two daughter are 14+yrs apart.  It was my second daughter who was and still is a control freak.  One way of having control is holding onto a bowel movement.  Boy was she stubborn, as she would hold on to it for 4 or 5 days to the point where you could smell it in her sweat and her breath (I know pretty gross, huh) Anyway, we ended up at ER and this heartless doc stuck her fingers up my daughters rectum to remove some poop which inturn gave her a ficher which made her even more afraid to go because now she was in pain.  She held onto an enima for 45 minutes and when she finally let go OMG she let go.

Finally, I'm finding myself chaseing this poor child around the house w/ a suppository almost on a daily basis.  This is all after changing her diet. It had absolutely nothing to do w/ diet, it was a control thing. (I think it was  my elderly grandmother,who gave me the right advice. sometimes they know best) in my case she did, she told me to add mineral oil in her food.  Examples: mac and cheese/tuna fish/orange juice/ spaghetti/scrambled eggs,etc...  It is tasteless/odorless and if you're sneaky enough your son will never know.  The best thing ever, it worked. Before I forget, salad was another good place to put. In all acutuality, anything your child likes to eat add the oil and cut way back on sugar.

It depends on you child, his likes and his dislikes. All in all, you'll figure it out I can promise you that. You just have to make him your guinie piglet for a while.

Start off w/ a little and you'll get used to how much will work on your son and how much he can tollerate.  It is completely chemical free and harmless and best of all, Allison, it WORKED!!!!!

Good luck.  Just remember the little loves did not come equipped w/ instructions and sometimes Grandma does know best...

Lots of luck

Sincerely,

Nancy Mael

Nancy - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Alison:

Any ideas on how to help my son's constant constipation?

My sons seems to be constantly constipated - have tried banana's, extra water, apple juice, kiwi fruit, coloxyl drops, parachoc and nothing really seems to help. Any ideas????

Hello Allison, my name is Nance my two daughter are 14+yrs apart.  It was my second daughter who was and still is a control freak.  One way of having control is holding onto a bowel movement.  Boy was she stubborn, as she would hold on to it for 4 or 5 days to the point where you could smell it in her sweat and her breath (I know pretty gross, huh) Anyway, we ended up at ER and this heartless doc stuck her fingers up my daughters rectum to remove some poop which inturn gave her a ficher which made her even more afraid to go because now she was in pain.  She held onto an enima for 45 minutes and when she finally let go OMG she let go.

Finally, I'm finding myself chaseing this poor child around the house w/ a suppository almost on a daily basis.  This is all after changing her diet. It had absolutely nothing to do w/ diet, it was a control thing. (I think it was  my elderly grandmother,who gave me the right advice. sometimes they know best) in my case she did, she told me to add mineral oil in her food.  Examples: mac and cheese/tuna fish/orange juice/ spaghetti/scrambled eggs,etc...  It is tasteless/odorless and if you're sneaky enough your son will never know.  The best thing ever, it worked. Before I forget, salad was another good place to put. In all acutuality, anything your child likes to eat add the oil and cut way back on sugar.

It depends on you child, his likes and his dislikes. All in all, you'll figure it out I can promise you that. You just have to make him your guinie piglet for a while.

Start off w/ a little and you'll get used to how much will work on your son and how much he can tollerate.  It is completely chemical free and harmless and best of all, Allison, it WORKED!!!!!

Good luck.  Just remember the little loves did not come equipped w/ instructions and sometimes Grandma does know best...

Lots of luck

Sincerely,

Nancy Mael

Nancy - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Alison:

Any ideas on how to help my son's constant constipation?

My sons seems to be constantly constipated - have tried banana's, extra water, apple juice, kiwi fruit, coloxyl drops, parachoc and nothing really seems to help. Any ideas????

Marie - posted on 09/26/2009

Add a teaspoon of white Karo syrup to every other bottle.

Belynda - posted on 09/26/2009

i have the same problem with my 5 yr old he been like it since birth i have tried everything u have docs put me on to dulolax i have had him at royal childrens and he has been so consitpated he need nasal tube to clean him out so depends on u age of children so ask u doc or phaarmacy before giving it to him cause very strong medication and uts slowly working good luck

Ruthie - posted on 09/26/2009

Hello, If you can give him papaya or pineapple they have the most digestive enzymes of any food apparently. I personally as an adult take papaya supplement every day or two...get from all natural place like whole foods but Walmart carries it too...I do not recommend the supplements that say bovine or cow whatever on them...too strong...take care, ruthie

Cristy - posted on 09/26/2009

bananas are very constipating!!! NO BANANAS!! And stay away from cheese it will bind like bananas. Iron in baby vitamins will also cause constipation. You don't say how old he is but iron in formula is harsh as well.



He needs more hydration, milk, juice, water, and using a natural laxative like prunes work best. If he won't eat prunes then try putting pureed prune into his bottle/sippy cup and add water to make it a juice. The Karo syrup is a wonderful addition but I always save that for the last choice as the sugar is not the best choice for kids. Natural is always better. And never use honey on very young children as it harbors bacteria that can cause severe harm.



hope this helps

Kara - posted on 09/26/2009

"KARO" Syrup 1 teaspoon in whatever he drinks!

Marsha - posted on 09/26/2009

Not sure of a cure, but I know that sometimes bananas make it worse as well as cooked veggies, carrots mainly. Try lots of water, fresh fruits and veggies, and anything with artifical sweetners should help too. Good luck.

Tara - posted on 09/25/2009

brown sugar, grapes or molasses. all this worked on my kids. small amounts 1tsp. you could even make molasses cookies

Sherrie - posted on 09/25/2009

Don't let it go to long. I was constantly constipated all the way through like 17. Doctor's told my parents to make me eat everything under the sun and massive amounts of different medicines to in mlk of magnesia everyday. But never a colon exam. At 43 I have had to have 12 inches of my intesttines removed do to a compacted infection. Get him checked before it goes that far.

Joyce - posted on 09/25/2009

Have you thought about a chiropractor? They deal with constipation in kids all the time. Just find someone who has a specialty in pediatrics.



I should add... my kids have been getting adjusted since they were born. They have never been on any meds. No strep, ear infections, or constipation. It's worth a shot.

Collette - posted on 09/25/2009

Ok, bananas will constipate so avoid them along with cheeses. They need fiber and you won't get that from a bottle of juice. They need veggies and fruit for every meal. I used fresh but even canned is better than none at all.



Avoid mac and cheese.

Debbi - posted on 09/25/2009

Fiber, 20 to 30 gms per day. My son was a very picky eater and it was difficult getting him to eat that much fiber on a daily basis. I found a juice + fiber that helped a lot. Each juice box contains 10 gms of fiber. You have to order them off the internet. They are not sold in stores. Hope this helps, and good luck.

Brenda - posted on 09/25/2009

My daughter has been constipated since she was born. She has Downs Syndrome and low muscle tone that contributes to the constipation. We used lots of fruit, prunes and prune jc and a teaspoon of sugar in her soy formula bottle when she was a baby. We tried miralax and it seemed to create problems.....like cleaning out at McDonalds or while swimming. UUGGGHHHH. Recently, because her father is Celiac and I am gluten intolerant, we rid the whole house of gluten. She's been regular ever since. Wheat bread and crackers, etc is very binding. If you take it away, it forces kids to make healthier choices, like fruit. Also I cook non-dairy, she only gets milk on her cereal if she has cereal. Otherwise she drinks juice or water. She is very healthy, and a bit chubby, so I don't worry about nutrition.



Allergies and intolerances to wheat and dairy are becoming more common. They can cause constipation as well as diarrhea.

Carly - posted on 09/25/2009

try adding an omega 3 vitamin to his diet they do make a kids one

Laura - posted on 09/25/2009

I have had the same problem with my 17 month old triplets for several months- since they switched from breast milk to cows milk. We now add 2 to 3 ounces of soy milk in a bottle with 4 to 5 ounces of cows milk and it seems to have helped a ton..sometimes too much!

Hollie - posted on 09/25/2009

My son is 10 and he goes to a pediatric GI doc and he too was moderately constipated. She put him on Miralax. Ask his pediatritian and get an x-ray of his belly. My Timmy had bowel in his large intestine, that's how bad he was. Now I ask him everyday if he went, if no, he gets the Miralax. I love that stuff!

Kaile - posted on 09/25/2009

Talk to your doctor about Enulose..it's a sugar that our body produces naturally, but when given in liquid form it acts as a lubricant to help push out the poop. Also ask if you can give him Miralax. That's what I currently give to my 4 year old daughter. She eats quite a bit of chocolate which stopped her up, but has been able to go poop this past week because of the help from Miralax. Nectarines are high in fiber, plums, prunes...I would talk to your doctor first though. Good Luck!

Ellen - posted on 09/25/2009

One thing you can try is Miralax. You can buy it at any CVS, Walgreens etc... It is a powder that the body can't absorb- but it aborbs liquid to make the stool softer. Check with your pediatrician about the dosage.

Melissa - posted on 09/25/2009

Tell his doctor before it comes to another problem

Brenda - posted on 09/25/2009

i have a little grandson that is 10 and has had the same problem since birth. the dr.have said he has i.b.s. and i have watched him have all kinds of med. problems.i have allways heard that bananas make it worse instead of better

Corrine - posted on 09/25/2009

My oldest daughter (now 18) also had constipation problems when she was younger. We discovered that it was a lactose intolerance. I tried absolutely everything mentioned in the repies and none of it worked. I put her on Lactaid (milk that contains no lactose, the sugar in milk that creates the problem) and she no longer had problems with constipation. You can also get lactaid drops to put in regular milk, and, depending on the age of your child, there are lactaid pills that can be taken before eating any dairy products. There are several other ways of getting calcium in your diet if you are concerned about cutting out the dairy products. Check with a nutritionist in regards to what foods contain calcium (examples are: oranges, broccollii, romaine lettuce). It could also be a problem within the structure of the bowel. Ask your doctor for a referrel to a specialist and have an ultra-sound done. Hope this helps and best of luck to you

Iris - posted on 09/25/2009

No don't give him bananas, they will make his constipation worse.. Usually water works but have u tried baby food prunes.. U can get those in the babyfood isle in the grocery stores. That helped out my son when he was small when he got constipated..But do not give him the whole jar though. Give him only a couple of teaspoon full or prune juice. That can also work..

REBECCA - posted on 09/25/2009

#1 how old is your son. #2 does he eat a lot of iron rich foods? if he does, that may be a part of the problem. when my son was about 1, the doc put him on iron drops as he thought he might be anemic, but he wasn't. the iron drops on top of iron rich formula was just too much and caused him a lot of pain from constipation. i had to give him enemas to loosen him up to get rid of the problem. i hated it. so if he is one a iron rich diet, you might want to cut out some of the iron.

Barbara - posted on 09/25/2009

you can also try giving him befiber on a regular bases my so used to get consiptated too, after a while they hold it back cause they don't want it to hurt like before, so they hold it befiber is natural non addictive, they don't taste i just put in my sons juice, also if you give them popcorn that has fiber in it too. i give my son benefiber at least twice a week in the beginning try every other day, hope it helps.

Sandy - posted on 09/25/2009

I feel for you, when my son was young, he got upset when I had my 2nd son and quit going to the bathroon #2 for many months, we tested him for Fisur's and hernia's and everything else and it was him being stubborn and controlling one of the only things he could. We had to give Enima's for a long time. They would work for the most part, but it wasnt the answer. Citricel is one, we put it in a glass of water and it was like orange juice, it will soften the stool, over a matter of time, but you may have to start with an enima to begin with.

Annam - posted on 09/25/2009

Quoting Alison:

Any ideas on how to help my son's constant constipation?

My sons seems to be constantly constipated - have tried banana's, extra water, apple juice, kiwi fruit, coloxyl drops, parachoc and nothing really seems to help. Any ideas????

hi! my son too has de same problem. I make sure that he has a slice of papaya after his lunch and dinner. tat helps my son

Sarah - posted on 09/25/2009

Talk with your doctor first. My daugther's doctor has us use 1/2 teason of benefiber in one of her drinks. You'll need to put it in at least 6 oz. Also, you can use probiotics, too. It will help the digestive tract regulate. You can get those simply by giving him yoguart or in a powder form (for kids) from your pharmacy. Do ask your doctor first before giving your son anything for constipation. This is what we do b/c it is very natural and easy on the system. Also, you might want to make sure that he does not have any food allergies or sensitivities. Some food allergies can really flare up constipation; so can too much dairy.