Major constipation in toddler...help

ccubride

Ladies, for the last year, my ds has had issues pooping. Lately it seems to have gotten much worse, to the point where he won't go for 2 days and is then in so much pain he screams and cries when he pushes but nothing comes out. He can spend hours pushing but nothing is there. When he gets to that point I"ve started doing suppositories or a fleet but I hate to resort to that. I know I'll NEVER get him potty trained if this keeps up. We're having that moment right now. He has tried to go and can't so I've put in a suppository and he is still pushing with no luck. I've talked to my pedi but didn't get a clear answer. I'll ask again next week at his 2 year shots. I've tried every 'high fiber' food in the world, he even ate prunes for a whole day and that didn't help. Do they make stool softeners for toddlers?

 I hate seeing him in so much pain, he's miserable.  Any advice???

howleyshell

Dried apricots.

My kids call them candy and will eat a whole bag in 1 sitting if I don't make them stop.

Works every time! 

Also look at what plugging-type foods he's eating.  ie:  does he eat a lot of cheese?  Processed foods?  Eliminate them....

Try oatmeal for every breakfast - sprinkle with raisins, chopped up apple, cinnamon - things to make it fun

For EVERY meal do a fresh veggie.  Cook minimally - try steaming.

If he's not a veggie fan do fruits.  Again - whole fresh foods on a regular basis should help regulate him. 

muppet.fan

Flax oil has helped us when E is very constipated. I think the recommended dose is 1-2 tsp but I bought a bottle of the softgels at Target and I just open and squeeze 1-2 into her food. My pedi recommended trying it and then I also read it on Dr. Sears' website.

RoxBride

I would talk to your doctor.

It sounds like instead of trying to strain to go, he may be straining to keep it in, because when he does go, it hurts so bad. Which makes things worse.

When it becomes sucha  big problem, all the fiber in the world won't help, you might need something to get him cleaned out.

Poor guy!

Mouseygail

if all of the natural remedies aren't working, my niece had horrible constipation and she had to take miralax every day or she would be completely miserable.  I'm not sure when/if she was able to stop taking it (she's 8 now).

ABC-123

DS seems to have issues with constipation and we really have to watch what he eats and his fluid intake.  We definitely see a difference if he is eating a lot of cheese and/or bananas.  We give him dried plums or dried apricots in the morning and it really helps.

Courted

Nico has that issue sometimes and after taking him to the ER we were told to put 1/2 TBS of mineral oil in his milk.  This will clean him out!

schoolsoutbride

Sounds like he's with holding, which can be a VICIOUS cycle.  I'd get him on some Miralax stat if the apricots don't work ASAP and also work hard to eliminate binding foods.

This has some good info on binding and non-binding foods:

https://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/constip.htm

nicolita14w

We have been having constipation issues lately. Similar to yours. DS won't go for 2 days and when he does it's clearly very uncomfortable for him and he has even had some blood in his stool. His pediatrician has us giving him Miralax. Maybe ask your pediatrican about that? It seems to help.