Constipation

[Dross929]

Hi, can someone please help me? My 3 year old son hasn't had a bm for a little over a week. Last time this occurred was in August, and I did take him to the E.R. and they gave him an enema. This did not work. Prior to the enema at the hospital, I gave him one at home the day before as well. I also gave him an infant suppository and this did not work either. For some reason, the infant ones do not melt the way they should. It would stay in him for 15-20 minutes, and he ends up pushing it. Does anyone else have this problem. I also tried those Fleet laxative strips and nothing. Finally, the hospital told me to give 1/2 of an adult suppository and adult laxative tablets which indeed make him go. I did give him a suppository on Saturday and laxative tablet on Sunday, and nothing worked. I have been giving him water and he has also been drinking a cup of Metumucil since Saturday and that is not even helping. His last BM was last Sunday, and that wasn't even a big one. Of course, due to his issue, he is only able to eat half or less than half of his meals, and I can't force him to eat b/c of this. Ppl tell me to take him to ER but they are only going to do the same thing as before. After all, there is only so much that can be done/given to a toddler. He has always had a constipation issue since he was an infant but it has never been this bad, in which he hasn't had a BM in over a week. He tries to push but he says it hurts him when he tries and he won't try again after that. Please help me!!

[MommaC]

What does your pediatrician say? I've heard that dark Karo syrup acts as a stool softener (maybe stir it into his drink?) and that mineral oil is a stool softener/laxative (I remember my mom mixing it into my brother's applesauce). Definitely feed him high fiber foods (green veggies, beans, whole grains, pears, prunes, raisins, etc.), but make sure you give him an abundance of water--all that fiber without enough water will have the OPPOSITE effect and end up stopping him up even more. Pear juice works wonderfully for my daughter. Have you checked his bum for any owies? Definitely keep a close eye on that if he's having hard poop. Don't stress over his poop (at least in front of him). If you're stressing over it, he will too, and that will so not help. Help him relax when it's time to poop. If he can relax and not push, it shouldn't be as painful. For how much an ER visit costs, you might as well see a poop specialist...that is, if the pediatrician is being super unhelpful.

[MommaC]

Oh yeah! I forgot about Grape Nuts--totally helped with my pregnant constipation. I think they're totally vile, so I'd mix it in with a granola cereal. Might be worth a shot!

[cay8099]

Apple juice is a natural laxative. That seemed to work for us. I used to take care of a toddler in day care who got a little bit of dark karo in his cup all the time for this very reason.

[lena241]

My pediatrician recommended Myralax. My DD took it every day for about 2 months, and now has no trouble with constipation. We did struggle with this from the time she was borm until she was about 3 years old. Ask your pediatrician before giving this to your DS. She took an adult dose, and I did feel bad so I eventaully went to a dose every few days, despite the doctors recomendations of having it consistantly everyday.

This was after failed attempts with changing her diet, adding fiber to her diet, Kyro Syrup and various juices, including prune juice (Yuck).

She is now 4, potty trained and goes almost everyday.

Good Luck

[rosycozy3]

My daughter had this problem, too. We ended up in the ER and I had no idea that she was even constipated because she was still going everyday. She just started vomiting and cramping so bad that it made her sweat! The x-ray revealed a huge backup, he said they were like rocks, poor baby! Anyhow, after a failed enema, he also recommended Myralax and it worked great! It took awhile(3days) to kick in, but when she finally did go, it didnt hurt her and it ALL came out! You should give it a try. After seeing how well it worked for her, I always have it stock "just in case".