Constipation

Chuck1906

What do you do to help your toddler with constipation? My son's GI doctor put him on Lactulose 10ml twice a day a year ago and its been working fairly well however I just found out his mom was only giving him the meds once a day instead of twice. He hasn't poop in 5 days. I told her to give him foods high in fiber and cut back on rice and other starchy type foods and she is insisting I call the doctor. Im not the type to call the doctor for every little thing especially when the situation could be resolved at home. I may call for consultation or take him in when he is struggling big time to make a bowel movement. He did have those issues as an infant but since being on the meds, he no longer has those issues where he is straining to get it out. 

Im just looking for some ideas you have used that seemed to work to help with constipation. Worse case scenario, I could give him some prune juice but that might give him a belly ache from going so much.

Your thoughts... 

summermedic

We are honestly going through almost the exact same thing. We just had to go to the ER to have an X-ray done of his belly (poop up to his lungs after only 7 days!!!) and an enima. He had two of them. I am not sure what your DS GI history is but our DS was on Lactulose as a baby, but once he was able to eat solids well, I weaned him off the Lactulose and he has a diet that is high in fiber and a ton of fresh fruit. Since coming out of the hospital he has been put on Miralax for a week to help things along. FYI- you can not use Lactulose and Miralax together. If he has been on Lactulose for so long, I wonder if maybe his body is getting used to it and there needs to be a change? Is there anything else that is going on? My DS is teething (2yr molars) and that is part of the issue. Prune juice is good. I make a smoothie with kale, spinach, pineapple, orange juice, apple juice and prune juice. He refuses to drink straight prune juice. But he will eat stewed prunes as they are sweet. Our DS does not get juice to drink except on the rare occasion. But juice does help to keep things moving due to the natural sugars in it. Honestly though, where your DS does have existing GI issues, it is always better to be safe than sorry. It never hurts to call. I am not one to call or go to the hospital for little things either as I am a medic. Best of luck and I hope your little guy doesn't end up in as much pain as our little man.

Chuck1906

WOW @poop up to his lungs! Sorry to hear that and hope he gets some comfort quick. My little guy has had a history of GI issues since he was an infant. We had him on Miralax at one point and it cleaned him out but it also was giving him belly ache's and pains so he was removed from that and put back on a higher dosage of Lactulose which in time appeared to be working. 

I was going to try the Prune juice or Pear juice if I can find some. Thats a good comment you mentioned about his body possibly being used to the Lactulose and not having a strong effect on his system. I may have to call the GI doctor after all to get their suggestions. 

Thanks for your reply @summermedic and hope your little guy feels better too! 

LSU628

Definitely call the dr if your son hasn't pooped in 5 days! My DD struggled with constipation, was impacted, and because she was constipated so long we got into a vicious cycle of her holding poop b/c she was afraid it was going to hurt which of course just made the poop bigger and hurt more when she finally would have to go. We had to do enemas, Miralax cleanses and spent a good portion of our summer visiting drs and specialists at the Children's Hospital. Very traumatizing for all involved.

greyt00

I get scared of constipation.  I'll spare the reasons as to why, but I tend to act very quickly if I fear it coming.  I would give Miralax after the 2nd poop-less day.  DS2 eats only 1 fruit and 2 veggies and loves starch and cheese.  If he is light on the veggies one day, things start to firm up a lot.  It usually works itself out, but I wouldn't let it go for long.  I worry at 5 days they are looking at needing an enema in a doctor's office.  :-/