Painful poops

Laurie - posted on 01/01/2010

This happened to my son when on the bottle I gave him Goats milk and it cleared up. Or maybe slip some prune juice in her juice.....My son eats alot of fruit,it helps,...

Angelique - posted on 01/01/2010

Hi Heather! My name is Angela and I have a 3 year-old daughter with the same problem. I had to take her to the hospital because it had been 2 weeks since she went. They did an enima (liquid medicine that's put in her bum to break down the accumulation in her intestines), but in the end it helped her a lot. The doctors there told me to never give her any ex-lax because it is not good for kids. They instead suggested we use mineral oil to lubrify their system, give them a lot of water, feed them fresh vegetables and loads of fruit, ex: bell peppers, carrots, brocoli, cauliflower, celeri, cherries, strawberries, grapes, melon, watermelon, blueberries...
Avoid foods like rice, too much pasta, apples, bananas and anything else considered constipating. The doctor told me to give her a gel called "lansoyl" which you can mix in her apple sauce or spread on her toast like jam. The pharmacist also recommended a liquid called "senokot" which can be mixed in with her night time dose of milk.
Try them out and let me know how it goes. I hope this information will be very helpful for your little girl.

Christen - posted on 01/01/2010

My son has the same problem, I started buying Activia for him because that's what I use. It works great, I give him 1 yogurt a day, it took about 3-4 days for it to soften his poop.

Rachael - posted on 01/01/2010

I had the same problem with my son. He would literally hold his for days, sometimes a week. His doctor recommended coke syrup. Take some coke cola and stir it until it is flat. I also found that if I put him in a warm tub it would help him to go. I know that sounds disgusting because of the clean up afterwards, but it really helped alot. I had to tell him it was ok to go in the tub and the warm water helps. Good luck.

Tasha - posted on 01/01/2010

Like the other said, make sure she drinks lots of water, increase her fiber intake and give her fruits (that start with the letter "P" (that helped my daughter)

Kim - posted on 01/01/2010

Hi Heather, I have a 3 year old that has suffered from constipation since birth. As a baby, she went once or twice a day. As a toddler, she went 2-3 times a week and once she started potty training, it got worse and was going 1 time a week and sometimes it took her more than a week (10 days was the longest). Every time she had to go, it was a huge ordeal. She screamed and cried for hours. We even had to put oil to help lubricate that area, which she hates and fears. We received lots of advice from friends and family (more fiber, more liquids, prune juice, apple juice, etc..). We tried it all. More fiber made her gassy and made her tummy hurt. We cut out dairy and limited constipating foods, but that didn't work either. We did find that eating pears (not pear juice) helped her go, but she won't eat them on a daily basis. We went to several GI doctors and Natropaths and they all told us to give her Miralax. We have been giving her Miralax since she was 1 1/2 years old and it worked inconsistently. A more recent visit to her GI doctor informed us that she needed to consume the Miralax mixture within a short time, which it would take her 1/2 a day for her to consume it in her water. With the cold weather, we started putting the Miralax in a cup of hot chocolate. She never had hot chocolate before, so it was a huge treat, which she consumed quickly. We started giving her hot chocolate with the Miralax on a daily basis, and it has worked wonders. The trick is just getting your child to consume the Miralax mixture within an hour. She is now having bowel movements every day to every other day. She now isn't afraid to go to the bathroom. Her doctor tells us that she will probably always have to take Miralax. We're just thankful that she is going. I wish you and your daughter the best of luck. It's hard to see your child suffering from pain.

Chrissy - posted on 12/31/2009

my son is only 11 months old and he has had this same problem his face will go red and he'll hold his breath sometimes there's a little blood streak and I give him fruits and veggies and prunes and everything else but nothing seems to help the Dr. says nothing is wrong with him and to give him a laxative. What can I do?

Michaela - posted on 12/31/2009

I had this issue with one of my daughters for at least 2-3 years. Went to the doctor and she was put on several different "remedies"(laxatives, colace,etc.) What seemed to work in the end was to not get to upset over the issue, provide all the comfort possible in the bathroom (books to read), and try to have her eat as much fiber as possible and stay away from binding foods(cheese)

Carla - posted on 12/31/2009

My 5 year old son had the same problem this fall. I found a fiber gummy vitamin at WalGreens that really helps. You can take up to 3 a day. He now takes one at breakfast every day and has absolutely no problems going poop any more. Before, he would be in tears and turning red while trying to push it out. Hope this helps.

Kelly - posted on 12/30/2009

My son was much younger when he had the same problem. Our dr. encouraged us to STAY AWAY from laxatives - use a stool softener as a last resort - think fiber - graham crackers, apple juice, maybe try the fiber one cinnamon cereal as a special snack. Watch the amount of milk products consumed (we had to hide the cottage cheese) in a day, and be aware that chocolate is a binding agent.
Our county health department had a lot of information that was very helpful.

Erika - posted on 12/30/2009

I have a (Asian) niece who had this problem and it was because she is completely intolerant to dairy products. My sister-in-law switched her over to soy products and other dairy substitutes and the problem cleared up entirely.
If she has been constipated recently, she may also have anal fissures (tears), which can make it feel like pooping glass (it is horribly painful). There may be very small amounts of blood in the toilet that could indicate this condition. If she will let you, check her for fissures. Otherwise, suggest it to your doctor and have him/her check. Try using some KY jelly just inside her anus to see if it will help make things move more smoothly. If she has fissures, the doctor may be able to prescribe a numbing gel you can use before each bowel movement (it really does help). Ask your doctor about stool softeners as well.
I hope the problem clears up.

Dana - posted on 12/30/2009

Water in the early morning, and more water during the day is the only better solution..besides the fiber food.

Rose - posted on 12/30/2009

my daughter has this problem too. We found out that she has a constipation problem triggered by dairy foods. She also has a problem with fruit juices doing just the opposite. With a careful balancing act between the dairy and the juice we keep the problem under control. Perhaps you need to look at your daughters diet and speak with her pediatrician.

April - posted on 12/30/2009

Miralax, I swear by it. My son had this problem for a long time and my Dr said the same thing, he wants to go but since it hurts so much he holds it. She said it happens a lot close to or during the potty training stage.

Kelly - posted on 12/29/2009

I give my son a tablespoon of Miralax a day. He gets it with his breakfast (mixed into oatmeal or something like that). It is safe to use continuously and it has been the best thing for his constipation. The GI doctor told me to give him 2 tbs, so we started with that, and have worked our way down to 1 tbs a day.

MCHELLE - posted on 12/29/2009

I had the same problem with my son. The doctor needs to check is there is a tear in the anus which could be causing the pain. Put vaseline there as it helps to pass the stool.

I have been giving my son a tablespoon of omega oil everyday for the past 2 years and he hasnt had a problem ever since. It doesnt taste nice, but it does help. He used to be hospitalised because he kept it in and it caused his temperature to rise quite high.

Give it a try, I still do it now. It helps with the stool and his skin.

Good luck

michelle

Sheila - posted on 12/29/2009

When my daughter was a baby I would put Kairo Syrup in her bottle. Now that she is 3 just giving her her daily dose of Elderberry Juice has work wonderfully for lots of things. She is rarely sick and rarely has toilet issues anymore. A small glass of regular Prune Juice should keep you from having to use medications as well.

Michelle - posted on 12/29/2009

Apples will do the trick, make sure they have the skin on.

Karen - posted on 12/29/2009

My daughter who is 4 had the same problem and we now give her chewable fiber tablets daily. I would start out with half of one and go from there.

Carla - posted on 12/29/2009

Hi there, my daughter is 21 months and she's become very good at holding her poop. Increasing fiber is ideal however, having one painful bowe, is enough to instill some fear in doing it gain...our Ped. suggested Lax a Day..it's a very mind lax which rather than forcing a bowel movement it instead helps the large intestine retain some of the fluid volume to help pass a softer stool. Because it is very mild it does not happen instantly. Depending on how impacted your daughter is it could take a couple of days but it's a very painless passing when it does happen. You'll need to speak to your doctor about it though as the dosage is dependant on the child's weight. Hope this helps...

Susan - posted on 12/28/2009

Prunes or Prune juice, something to soften her stool.

Melanie - posted on 12/28/2009

I would get another opinion. When my oldest son was three he complained of stomach pain and would scream horribly every time he had to poop or pee. We went to the doctor numerous times (11) and the emergency room (3). The doctors wouldn't do anything for him they just wrote it off as a yeast infection or a UTI and he almost died. I had to demand tell my son's doctor that I was not leaving his office until I had a referral to a specialist. By the time he was seen by the specialist he was white as a ghost and lethargic... very close to dead and it wasn't because I didn't try to get him seen or treated. He had to have exploratory surgery to find out what was wrong. He had stomach lining that had somehow come gone out of his stomach and attached itself to the inside of his small intestine and also the inside of his bladder. He had to have intestine removed and his bladder scraped.
If your daughters problems continue I would take her to a different doctor and be persistent, don't let them push you and your daughter to the side like they did my son.

Monica - posted on 12/28/2009

Oh I forgot you could also give her miralax. Miralax works great because you can mix the powder with any liquid. Her favorite juice or water. It doesn't have much of a flavor. You can try that, prune juice or baby prunes from the babyfood aisle. Either one of those 3 will work! Good luck!

Monica - posted on 12/28/2009

I used to give my boys a litte prune juice. I know it doesn't taste very good. Just give her a little at a time. It works!

Karen Maxine - posted on 12/27/2009

She's constipated, my niece had this same problem when she wa a child, you might have to get some ememas at the drug store and insert it in her booty. Poor baby, for children I think the enemas work better than the laxatives, in addition laxatives are too harsh for their stomachs. Ask your pharmacist if they have smaller enemas for children her age. Hope this helps.

Pamela - posted on 12/27/2009

my son is now 11 and has had this problem since he was little also. we are still having problems. So far miralax works the best as well as maxcitrate. I have also cut back on his cheese intake and given him activia to eat each day. So far this is the most recent thing that works. Make sure you ask her everyday if she went and try to get her to go first thing in the a.m. so it doesn't back up all day. good luck

Jacqui - posted on 12/27/2009

well u can always try a glycerine suppository..it just kinda greases up the area and doesnt put harmful chemicals into child. my son has some bowel issues and ive come to find that giving them laxative only helps what is behind the movement not the movement itself...;)

Johnna - posted on 12/27/2009

Have you tried prune juice or apple-cranberry juice, I would use the apple-cranberry juice most kids love it. Usually if they drink enough of it about three 4oz cups a day the poops slide right out

Jennifer - posted on 12/27/2009

Supositories work within a couple of hours. Also if you let her play with a very special toy or book, or something she really enjoys only in the bathroom, this will calm her.Good Luck. It worked for my nephew.

Andrea - posted on 12/26/2009

This has happened alot to my son. He just turned 7 and holds ot for so long he poops like an adult. The doctor said this is extremely common and said if I need to give him a laxitive to make him regular. It is so hard I know but just hang in there.......He does go at times on his own

Terri - posted on 12/26/2009

i know when my daughter had trouble, we stopped feeding her gummie treats and jelly style candies. feeding her applesauce/prunes was a healthy alternative to harsh laxitives. we found applesauce and prunes mixed together on baby food aisle. it still works to this day for any family member.

Catherine - posted on 12/25/2009

Lots of prunes or prune juice and water

Sharita - posted on 12/25/2009

fiber, water and lots of activities (moving around) you must balance out the water and fiber b/c too much fiber and less water the BM will absorb the water therefore causing painful poops..to secondary help the bowels you can try saline laxatives such as mineral oil or castor oil temporarily to help until her bowels are regular movements... but more importantly water and movement..

Nancy - posted on 12/24/2009

Please just add more fiber to your childs diet. If you give laxatives on a regular basis then your childs body will get used to them and will never be able to poop without them. This is what the Dr told my late father-in-law when he told him that he had been taking ex-lax for almost a year on a regular basis.... I have had to go through painful poops with my 4 year old and I started giving her a fiber-choice sugar free fruit tablet a day plus she now drinks more water, grape juice, apple juice, prune juice and eats more grapes, apples, bananas and things like that... Seriously, get another Dr..

Federica - posted on 12/24/2009

Prune juice shoudl help. BUT, the best remedy EVER I have found is giving my daugher a probiotic. The best one I have found is Culturelle. they come in capsules, you can actually open the capsule and sprinkle the contents in her drinks, yogurt, apple sauce, ice cream-anything! Within a week, you should see major beneficial changes. The bowel movements will be soft and complete.

KENYA - posted on 12/24/2009

prunejuice on regular basis just alittle ,or stool softener, no no to laxatives bad for tummy unless doc ok it.maybe too much iron low fiber in system a doc told me once more water get new lab work done.bowels should be regular check pattern.

Tara - posted on 12/24/2009

Try making sure that she eats olive oil in her diet. Uncooked is the best, so on salad or drizzled over toasted bread before you top it with some. Make sure she has some everyday. Good Luck :)

Lisa - posted on 12/23/2009

Karo syrup or pancake syrup about a teaspoon mixed in warm water every few hours

Kendra - posted on 12/23/2009

Get another doctor's opinion!!

Natalie - posted on 12/23/2009

My daughter has been having problems since she was 3 months old. She was doing the same thing, screaming on the toilet, so I took her to the doctor and he prescribed Miralax, a gentle laxative. I started giving it to her but she will still holding it because she was scared it would hurt if she went. I made a chart on the wall that she could put stickers on when she pooped. It took a week or so for her to really get the hang of pooping "regularly" and then it became a fun thing because she got to fill out her poop chart!

Michelle - posted on 12/23/2009

My two daughters both had that problem and mineral oil did the trick!

Jamie - posted on 12/23/2009

My daughter had a similar problem with this and with not urinating and getting UTIs. The doc recommended putting rubber bands on one arm and when she went to the bathroom to move a band to the other arm. This served as a reminder to go whenever she looked at her arms and it worked for us.

Marcie - posted on 12/22/2009

I used to use apple juice for my 6 year old daughter, but it's not as effective anymore by itself. When I asked the doc about it at her last checkup he told me to give her a half dosage of mirilax about 3-4 times a week. So far it's helped a lot.

Heather - posted on 12/21/2009

with adding more fiber like the others have suggested you could try is a teaspoon of karo syrup mixed in with water or a fruit juice it's not as harsh as a laxative castor oil or mineral and it helps just the same another thing you could do is when she goes try to keep her occupied while she goes so her mind isn't fully on pooping like a book a game it helped with my step daughter hopefully it will help for your daughter

Ana Marta - posted on 12/21/2009

well, maybe she's holding it cause it hurts... so it's like circle... you first have to find a way to break it!
My baby also has a bit of trouble pooping... to help her I feed her lots of veggies and fruit, and oat meal (well... fiber reach food)... also a lot of water. Once a day (whenever I think it's been too many days since the last bowel movement), I also mix a little tea spoon of malt extract in the water (here in Iceland I can buy it at the pharmacy) ... and this really helps. If the poop starts becoming softer it will stop hurting and things will come back to normal.

Katie - posted on 12/21/2009

Like she said lots more fiber, whole grains. Apple Juice works. Try watching how much dairy shes taking in. Sometimes you may find your giving her to much. Have her drink more water. I hope this helps.

Fayne - posted on 12/21/2009

My son had the same problem, I starting feeding him food high in fiber and giving him lots of water. i.e oatmeal, grapes, apples with the skin on and prunes

give her lots of water and juice thats high in fiber.

hope it works for you

Kasey - posted on 12/21/2009

My sister-in-law had trouble with her daughter with this and she spoke with someone who recomended castor oil. It worked! Or mineral oil, Good Luck.