Constipation

I'm looking for some advice on constipation in my 2 1/2 year old. I
have taken her to the Dr. and all he recommended was some modifications
to her diet, which is great if we could get her to eat all of these
foods that he's recommended - we try, but it doesn't always work out.
I've gone for other fiberous foods that she will eat to help the
problem, but so far nothing has seemed to help much. There is a family
history of constipation, however I would like to think that my 2 year
old doesn't have to suffer through it.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!!

-L....

I use baby prunes stirred into a little undiluted apple juice. I
usually give DS (2.25, about 29 lbs, maybe more) about half a container
of Gerber prunes in a small dixie cup 3/4 full of juice - stirred well.
Within a day or so everything is ok. I also give him this once or
twice a week in smaller doses to keep things going smoothly.

Cut down on cheese and carbs - those are problematic. Also increase
whole grains.

Stephanie...

I am sure your doc already told you about some of the other dietary no nos

Jeff...

[for people with constipation]

- apple juice (if you go the diet route, pineapple juice is a hit)

Jeff...

Actually, apple juices causse a chronic diarrhea in a lot of kids. It is
called chronic diarrhea of toddlerhood. The problem with juice (any type) is
that is essentially sugar water.

- apple sauce (note for some unknown reason apple juice and apple sauce are
a problem but whole raw apple is not)

toypup...

Really? When my kids get constipated, I give them apple juice and it makes
them go. I also do it for myself. In my small sample of 3, it works
wonders for constipation.

chrissypete2...

That's what the nurse told me. But it was not until the third phone
call

Some things can have the opposite effect on some kids. I have heard of
apple juice constipating children, but that cherry juice can help. Buy
some fiber bran in the grocery store and add little bits to everything
you serve. I use this myself and put into our dinners and it is
virtually undetectable and without taste. (the texture can show in
different dishes though). Cracklin N oat Bran cereal is a great thing
to mix into a yogurt with fruit on the bottom - it packs a little
crunch. That really gets thing moving. lol. I have recently blended up
lentils and mixed with applesauce to sweeten and it came out tasting
like a dessert.

Stephanie...

That's what the nurse told me. But it was not until the third phone call.
The previous two said nothing about apple juice. Maybe she was the mistaken
one. I sure would like that since DD loves apple juice.

toypup...

Why not try it to see if it works? We've had lots of success.

- bananana
- rice
- dairy, hard cheese in particular

The good guys are

Jeff...

[to help people doo-doo]

- prunes and prune juice
- if your DD will take it web-search the Swedish dish fruit soup. It'll clear
anyone out in a day.
- pineapple and pineapple juice
- apricots

Jeff...

Most fruits and vegitables are helpful.

Petridge Farms came out with a new whole wheat Goldfish. Popcorn is good,
but you have to make sure to drink plenty of water, otherwise, the salt
causes water to be abosrbed from the intestine. Bran muffins are good too.

Jeff

I can't remember any more.

Stephanie...

My DD had a serious constipation problem for a while due to holding in her
poop (that has a name but I cannot remember what it is). In her case, either
a case of mild constipation or potty learning gone ary resulting in fear. So
she would hold it in, making it harder and more painful. My doc office also
recommended dietary changes. But DD already had the perfect diet, and like
your DD I could not get her to eat more of the other things that would help.
I certainly did not want to add weird food issues to the mix. So after many
phone calls to the nurse, she was finally seen. They recommended mineral oil
and fiber powder (the brand we use is Senekot, which apparently is to fiber
powder as Kleenex is to facial tissue). This has helped tremendously. With
mineral oil, a multivitamin is recommended since mineral oil apparently
reduces the body's uptake of vitamins in food.

So what I would do is call the doc on the phone and say hey this is not
working. I heard about ... is this something that is safe to do, for how
long and what doses? And see if they think it is appropriate for your DD.

Good luck! For us it was not a fun ride having your babe cry every time she
had a normal bodily function. I don't know if holding it in is part of your
DD's issue. For me the fear she had was the worst of the issue.

Leigh Menconi...

My grandfather (who was in family practice) used to prescribe fig newtons
and pineapple juice for kids (and adults, too, I suppose) with contipation.
Also, cut down on the bananas and rice -- if you're familiar with the BRAT
diet for diarrhea, you'll understand why.