My two year old son is constipated. I need advice.

TRACY - posted on 03/07/2010

I run a daycare and have to deal with this problem more times than I care to. It is a very helpless feeling when a child is in horrible pain and there isn't anything you can really do to help at the time. Many of my kiddos past and present love to eat bran buds dry!!! They think it's a great treat believe it or not. They are very small and round and they love the crunch sound it makes. Try it, and I also pulverize it in a food processor and put that into their yogurt .(I only use yogurt with probiotics in it as it does help even the most difficult bowels!!) Peaches work great too!!

Melissa - posted on 03/07/2010

Magnesium is another way to go!! My post a couple of weeks ago was along the lines of what do I do to help my Lex, but since then we have been to the chiropractor and had an adjustment and been on Magnesium with awesome results!! It really does work and it's natural so no worries about giving adult meds to little one!!

Rachna - posted on 03/03/2010

try loads of veggies and fruits...and lil lesser milk.

Fiona - posted on 02/28/2010

Has he been tested for Coeliac disease? I am Coeliac and it appears my daughter is as well. If you dont want to put him thru the tests straight away put him on a gluten free diet for 4-6 weeks and see if it helps. My Stevie used to bust her bum, blood was involved and agonising screaming and vomiting as she strained. Very distressing. After week 3 of the diet she had normal poos and has been good ever since.
Good luck
Fi

Beth - posted on 02/26/2010

We went through something similar. Have they tested him for a dairy allergy/intolerance? I would suggest having him eat yogurt on a daily basis (the live cultures help to regulate the digestive system), limiting his cheese intake, and switching to soy milk. Try this for a couple of weeks and see it that helps. Good luck!

Andrea - posted on 02/26/2010

When my son was a baby my doctor had me put Karo Syrup in his milk and that kept him regular everyday because he would have trouble going. Just a tablespoon to their milk is all I ever had to use.

Terra - posted on 02/26/2010

does he just not like pooping, or are they hard rock type poos, My son is almost 4 and he is about the same, I have found that a little bit of prune juice (i call it medicine and give it to him in a med dispenser so he will take it) helps a bunch.

Joanne - posted on 02/26/2010

my son never use the prob tell his was nearly 4 iwouldnt worry< as soon as he went 2school he was fine! goodluck tho.

Amber - posted on 02/22/2010

Probiotics! Your gut is a direct link to how your immune system is functioning. If the gut doesn't work properly neither does the immune system. Dietary changes, whole food supplements, and probiotics will nip this problem in the butt. Will also make for a healthier child. Talk to your local health food store, chiropractor, or natureopathic doctor or nutritionalist.

Laura - posted on 02/22/2010

Miralax, it is very safe for little ones, my 5 year old takes and has since 2 and my 1 year old had a brief stint taking it. It is added to their juice or milk, no taste at all. According to our pediatrician it is important for it not hurt them especially at your son's age, as it will affect potty training. Our 5 year old is down to just a teaspoon a day and we can see that it will not be long before she is off the supplement. I am not a medicine pusher by any means but it beats their pain. Especially after having to use pedialax or glycerine.

Trudy - posted on 02/22/2010

my 2year old had the same thing, chronic constipation, movicol paediatric is the best thing to use.. he's been on it for a year now and going great!i was advised to start him off with a strong laxative like Dulcolax for five days which will completely clean out the system and on to Movicol for as long as he needs it! good luck!

Lisa - posted on 02/22/2010

linseeds . sneak them into his breakfast everymorning, about a table spoon or so. try mixing in other seeds aswell if you can. they are really cheap to buy also . cut out chocolate.

Shari - posted on 02/22/2010

I have had 4 children, all of whom were very constipated at that age. My son ended up once with a bowel obstruction b/c of being so constipated. With all of them, I stopped having them drink milk and they ate yogurt every day. I restricted bananas and other constipating foods. We also tried prunes, we poured sugar over them, warmed them, tried every thing. The Dr. did also have us try mineral oil. We gave them a tablespoon of that each day, I don't remember if more than once a day. It just lubricates and helps soften the bowels. Of course drink a lot.I know what you are going through. I had my first go 17 days w/o a movement. My kids would get so uncomfortable that they couldn't sit comfortably. We did also have to use enimas at times, or suppositories. Good luck, and I hope something works for him. Mine eventually outgrew it. They are 23, 21, 18 and 15, so I don't know if Drs. have anything better to offer these days. Shari

Tiffany - posted on 02/22/2010

I've always heard prunes help with constipation. It worked for my daughter. If you've tried everything else, then you might want to give it a shot! Good luck!

Santonja - posted on 02/21/2010

My heart goes out to both of you. I have been in a similar situation with my son. As a mother I don't like giving my children drug meds, but there are some severe cases that we just don't have a choice & seeing your child in that much pain is no fun at all. I took him to have his diet evaluated & we did some specialized massages along with mild medication from the pediatrician. It took us 2 months before he could really be confident again, but with preserverance & patience we made it. Maybe you can look for these ficillities in your area. Good luck!

Melissa - posted on 02/20/2010

we have the same problem with my 2 year old little girl!!! I mean the exact same thing happens to her. when she does go, it's a screaming fit and I hate to see her like that!! we have started using probiotics but haven't used them enough yet to know how well they are working. will keep you updated though, if you find out anything let me know too.

Sherry - posted on 02/18/2010

Try reducing or temporarly eliminating (for about a meek or so) the amount of dairy in his diet, it can cause this, and up his friut intake, blueberries seem to work best.

Tanya - posted on 02/18/2010

Have you tried Gripe Water? My daughter had constipation due to her reflux medicine and I gave this in her milk, water, or tea. It seemed to work just fine.

Keri - posted on 02/18/2010

We had the same problem with our son from birth and as recomemnded by our doctor we tried PEGG crystals, you have to order them from the pharmacy but you don't need a prescription. They look like sugar and are colourless and odourless and you put a tablespoon in their drink twice a day - it says to do it for 6 months, we did for about 5 months staring when he was two, he is now almost five and no problems since. You will have a lot of yucky stinky poops while on it but it worked great for us. It was a life saver as his behavior got worse with each day he hadn't gone and then it was a big painful episode when he did before we tried the crystals.

Karen - posted on 02/18/2010

You might try a cap full of mineral oil. My grandson was given that by his doctor. We told him it was clear medicine and gave him a cookie and kool ade behind it. It not only helped him to go but also to become regular. My oldest we gave wheat germ in his applesauce and gator ade which is always helpful. Good luck, there is no sense in a child suffering with that.

Lynnee' - posted on 02/18/2010

put a teaspoon of mineral oil in his food three times a week. it is the natural way to cure constipation. heks stools are too hard so it hurts.

Haruko - posted on 02/18/2010

prunes/prune juice, pears, anything starting with P. NO bananas, rice, applesauce (but apples are good), cheese. he could also be allergic to cow's milk preventing him from "going". also, rubbing castor oil on this upper butt cheeks can "help" too. (right on the kidney spot) Good luck. my son has the same problem and it's so hard to see...

Cindy - posted on 02/18/2010

Plenty of great advice. Sometimes it can be a psychological thing. I had to convince my daughter to let her poop go play with her poop friends. They needed to be flushed down to the poop playground. Yes, funny but true story and it worked.

Norma Maureen - posted on 02/17/2010

Ashley he needs lots of fluids in this heat (preferably water) and fruit. Try prunes, they are gentle on the stomach and work by the later afternoon. Because they are sweet he will be happy to have them. I suggest that you take him to the doctor immediately because if he is screaming in pain he is very blocked and in pain. There could also b e other causes that home remedies may not be suitable for. Good luck

Michelle - posted on 02/17/2010

My grand daughter had the same problem and still does sometimes and she will be 2 this summer. We used either Karo dark syrup in her water, juice, milk...or we had a lot of luck with apple juice too. Too much gave her the runs tho so be careful with that. Good luck..It's sad to watch them cry while trying to go to the bathroom.

Julie - posted on 02/17/2010

My son had a lot of trouble with going to the toilet when he was younger, he had plenty of fibre in his diet and also drank enough water for his age so it was very distressing when he still couldn't go and was screaming in pain. If it was really bad I found that a warm bath would help his tummy relax as with all the screaming and stress his stomach muscles were so tight that nothing would happen. Usually the warm bath would help him relax enough to go. You could try prune juice diluted with water, sultanas are sometimes good, apparently too many bananas block you up which is unfortunate as they are so good for you. Rest assured that as long as there is no medical reason that it will improve.

Jessica - posted on 02/17/2010

Have you try prune juice, if you give him 1/4 of a cup every other day it might work or buy dry prunes they taste good and he will think is candy just give him one or two a day it might help and is a good antioxidant.

Despina - posted on 02/17/2010

I normally don't reply to postings on websites, but I'll make an exception in this case, because I totally feel for you situation. My neighbours son had the same problem, the tried to isolate foods that were the cause (they thought bananas were the culprit), then another food,.....etc....it wasn't until he was almost 2 years old that they found out it was a dairy allergy. Now that they cut the dairy he's perfectly fine. Poor little guy suffered....he even got tears on the rectum (which are very painful and very difficult to heal....especially when in diapers). Hope this info helps.

Candy - posted on 02/17/2010

PLEASE READ THIS!
I am sure by now you are tired of reading comments on this, but I do hope you will read mine. I am a mom of 12 and I remember when my 21 year old was so constipated! When he grunted we would bend his knees to his chest and then help him pull out this rock hard, baby bottle size BM. Yeah, yuck! He saw specialist and was on meds but what worked the best? Make some chamomile herb tea. I used to take tham and then mix it with powdered milk, or baby formula or what ever you can to get your baby to drink it! Just a glass a day will do wonders!!!! I promise you! And the next best thing, make sure your child is alligned. We also had him go to a chiropractor. When the chiro looked at him, if he was off allignment he was constipated and when he was good there and didn't need his tiny adjustment, he was poopin' just fine!

Good luck!

Kylie - posted on 02/17/2010

Try Movacal half sachets from the Chemist, my daughter was the same but only went about once per week, it is called Encoprises (i might have spelt it wrong) there are support groups and programs run out of the hospital about this. she did try parachoc first that was good too, these are the two safe options. Good Luck

Fawn - posted on 02/17/2010

Activia yogurt works wonders

Kathy - posted on 02/17/2010

When my son was an infant, our Doctor had us put a tablespoon of dark Karo syrup in his bottle. I'm not sure if it would help a 2yr old. But you can try mixing a tablespoon of dark karo syrup in with his small glass of milk.
HOPE THIS HELPS!

Jean-Marie - posted on 02/17/2010

I am having the same issue with my daughter, she is 21 months old and has had issues since she was born- we have her on daily laxitives for kids and they work but I don't want her to get dependant on them. Would love to hear what others say.

Christine - posted on 02/17/2010

Funny, my son Ryan had a lot of bowel issues when he first came to live with us (adopted at 2-1/2). I think his was a control thing. However, what I used was prunes, he would eat them like candy and I also used glycerin suppositories if it got to be too long between bowel movements. You may want to use Mirilax--it is safe and probably what your doctor would recommend, it was not on the market when I needed it, but it will work.

Jessica - posted on 02/17/2010

No processed foods at all. This is largely the reason little ones become constipated. Stick with fresh fruits and vegetables when possible too. :)

Victoria - posted on 02/17/2010

My 9 yr daughter had this problem when she was younger ( around 4 was when it started)after we came back from a family vacation and stopping at the rest area with self flushing toilets , it scared her so bad that she started to hold it in until she was home from school or from someones house . It was really bad that she screamed and cryed and said she had back pain. What came out of her scared me when she did go .

My family pediatrician called it Stool Holding / and it is a control issue / attention getter or simply sometime out of being lazy / afraid of missing out on something ( such as playing with friends - tv show).
He told me give her prune juice and raisins/grapes and alot / to anything that has fiber in it ( like fiber one bars or the V8 juices are good to)
If that does not work teaspoon of mineral oil . Also There is a powder called MiraLax he told me about and you put in there drink and on top or mix it in there food.
Also if you dont make it a big thing and make the pot as a fun thing like read a book or bring a toy to the bathroom .
Also put him on his back and lift and bend his knees into his stomach a few times, like in a fetal position and just pump the leg in and out - make it a game
Also you can try making a chart / book and if he goes give a sticker and after you can give him a little treats or toy for going a few times in a row ( make it a big thing that he got a sticker for pooing ) and after a while he will start trying on his own
It does get better as they get older.I hope this helps

Sandra - posted on 02/17/2010

my daughter had issues when she was only a few months old...so i took her to our chiropractor and he found an area needed adjustment right where the nerves are the go to the bolwels. after a gently adjusted she has been having a movement 3 times a day...it was amazing! worth a try...

Melanie - posted on 02/17/2010

hello! i see you've received a ton of advice. so i'm not sure if this was offered already. my daughter has had the same problem since she was his age (she's now 5). we give her an activia everyday. it has helped her to go daily and her stools are not as hard as they used to be. took her to the store to have her pick out the flavors she likes. that got her excited to eat her "medicine yogurt" after breakfast.

we also give her extra fiber mixed into her oatmeal or drinks. we use benefiber. we started that in small amounts as to not make her tummy in distress.

occasionally, we give her a few sips of our coffee and that gets things moving for her.

i would also be careful not to give the little guy too much milk (which is constipating). we only allow 2, 9oz glasses of milk per day. the rest of their calcium comes from yogurt and cheese.

fresh fruits are always wonderful. though any fruit or vegetable that starts with the letter "P" seems to help! so pureed peaches you can mix into oatmeal or yogurt.. or maybe he'll eat them straight from the tree. mandarin oranges from a can are fun and have helped my daughter. i always keep them on hand.

best wishes to you and your son. some kids just have this issue. i would keep track on the calendar by marking his inital on the days he goes. at a glance, you'll be able to tell if it's been too many days. this helped me to improve her fiber and water intake.

Celeste - posted on 02/17/2010

This is an old wives remedy that has worked on older relatives and I even use on dogs if they get into something they should not be eating. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to his food every day. He will not notice and I find it safer than making him take a pill. Mixing it with french fries, macaroni, or ranch dressing makes it almost tasteless. Plus it is healthy.

Jennifer - posted on 02/17/2010

When ever my kids had problems I gave them a jar of prunes (baby food) or 4oz. of prune juice. It worked every time:)

Paulette - posted on 02/17/2010

My daughter taylor is now 10. She had the same problem for a few years. We had to even give her an enama once. I was told to give her this oil like medicine. i guess it is like a lube for them. Ask your doctor for the exact name. She had it everyday for a while. Soon after she was able to go without a problem. Also they say you can work on some diet changes, She was my first baby when this happened. Now I have four..Knock on wood. No constipation problems since..Good luck paulete

Tonya - posted on 02/17/2010

My pediatrician for my sons recommend to use the rectal thermometer to help stimulate the bowl. Then if the problem doesn't help use milk of magnesia. But you would have to find out from your son's doctor for recommended dose.

Abby - posted on 02/17/2010

my two year old has the same problem, and for some reason, mandarin oranges work. the kind in a can, they usually come in light syrup, and whenever i give them to her, she goes the next day.

Sara - posted on 02/17/2010

My son has had problems since being born, either being consipated or then the other way. Various medicines from the doctors etc, and at the end we settled on good old fashioned orange juice (tropicana) works everytime, and reminding him to also drink water/dilute juice too!!! Most of the time he is too busy to go and is having to much fun to possibly distract himself to go to the loo!!

Donna - posted on 02/16/2010

my daughter was like that and this past year her dr put her on miralax you can have a perscription or you can buy it like at walmart ect. where the laxitives and things like that is for constipation ans i think it goes by their weight you mix it with a drink one time a day and so far it has helped her you may want to try this good luck

Angie - posted on 02/15/2010

Reduce sugar and give lots more greens and high fiber foods. Make sure he's drinking plenty of water and very little juice from concentrate. Keeps trying greens and beans to find something he really likes. Don't make it a big deal when you present it to him.

Gwen - posted on 02/15/2010

RICE MILK! My daughter used to cry and bleed until someone FINALLY suggested this alternative. I had tried everything else under the sun, and this was the only thing that worked. It took a week or 2 to kick in, but we've had very few problems since.

Donya - posted on 02/13/2010

Well Ashley, be of good cheer. U r not the only one, what i do is give my son prune juice. That works!

Janet - posted on 02/11/2010

Apple juice, apple sauce graham crackers, Have him drink more water things with fiber , If he can eat raisons get him a box for his snacks, Dried fruit is good even apple cider

Frances - posted on 02/11/2010

Have you tried fig newton cookies? They can help.