Need high fiber suggestions for a picky toddler

WifeofaMarine

DS has struggled with severe constipation since he was a baby. He's now 2.5 years old. We've tried everything, including Miralax, stool softeners, and fiber gummies. We've also tried some of the foods that we thought we help make him more regular - prune juice, blueberries, etc, and nothing.

It's really bad and we end up having to pick him up from daycare at least once or twice a week to give him a suppository at home. It's to the point that he doesn't poop without a suppository (unless he's on antibiotics) and we're having to give him one several times a week.

I'm in the process of making him an appointment with CHOP's satellite that's closer to us, but has the same great doctors. But, in the meantime, I need to really pump up the fiber in his diet. But, he's really picky, so I'm struggling with that. I need some high fiber suggestions for a really picky toddler.

He'll only eat grilled cheese (which we really limit because of the severe constipation), eggs, yogurt, pancakes, french toast, baked potatoes, corn, spaghetti (only sometimes), mac and cheese (which we also try and limit because of the cheese), hotdogs, blueberries, and strawberries. He refuses meat, veggies, and basically anything with texture, though he does eat these things at daycare.

I don't think the change in diet is going to help that much, because we've tried loading him up with prune juice, blueberries and other foods they say will get things moving, and it hasn't changed a thing. Plus, he also gets three fiber gummies a day every single day. But, I figure while we wait for our CHOP appointment, I'm going to do as much as I can too add some more fiber to his diet. 

CommAve07

Raisins.  They even have vanilla or chocolate covered yogurt ones.

ebb7

Nothing to recommend...but I'm sorry to hear that it wasn't resolved. I know you were optimistic after trying that juice. 

WifeofaMarine

ebb7:

Nothing to recommend...but I'm sorry to hear that it wasn't resolved. I know you were optimistic after trying that juice. 

Thanks! I was optimistic then too, but it turned out it was just the antibiotics he was on for his ear infection making him loose and regular. As soon as the antibiotics were done, it was back to the horrible and severe daily constipation. I just feel SO bad for the little man.

MommaHeather912

This is really tough. I am so sorry for your little guy. The only suggestion I can think of is maybe a high fiber cereal. My DS is loves eating cereal, I got him one of those bowls with the straw attached to keep him from making a mess.

 

My DS is Liam too

DoughGirl

DS is a vegetarian and all of a sudden starting having some constipation from the soy he eats.  We had to give a suppository after 2 days with no bm.

We've cut the soy down to 2-3 days a week and filled in the protein gaps with eggs and beans. He loves cheese too, so we've had to cut that down a bit. He eats lots of veggies, but doesn't like juice. He won't eat prunes or raisins, but I've gotten sneaky and can hide pureed prunes in some of his food, particularly oatmeal and pancakes.  He eats high fiber cereals and breads, and after getting the ok from his pedi, we've started adding Benefiber to his water and other soft foods. So far, the combination of things we've done has worked very well.

I'm sorry your little guy is still struggling. I know how heartbreaking it was to hear mine cry and it was only one time. I hope that CHOP can provide some solid answers.

shannm

Based on your go-to list, buy high-fiber bread for the grilled cheese and french toast.  Try whole wheat mix or buck wheat mix for pancakes.  Try sweet potatoes rather than baked potatoes, even sweet potato fries.  Use whole wheat spaghetti.

Does he like cereal or cereal bars for snacks?  Try Z-bars, Kashi cereals (DS loves Honey Sunshine), and Chex.  Have you tried oatmeal?  Instant packs are easy and usually have a good amount of fiber.

Don't forget to add as much water as possible to.  I have a very high fiber diet but if I don't drink water, it is a disaster.

stacinsean

My DS loves the chocolate chip Fiber One granola bars. There's also a lot of high fiber cereals and snacks, but most are in the organic aisle. Lots of fluids will also help keep things moving. Oh, and there's also Plumsweets...chocolate covered plums/prunes. 

KatieLG04

Can you sneak the high fiber foods in at daycare since he eats better there?  Mine is exactly the same way and eats just about anything put in front of him at daycare.  I try the same exact food at home and he won't touch it.  Is there such a thing as a high fiber hot dog maybe at trader joes or other health food store?  My DS is on a hotdog kick so I can totally empathize.

KathrynMD

Have you tried doing some veggies with cheese sauce or just sprinkled with parmesan cheese? My DD will eat just about anything if SHE can sprinkle cheese on it. Also DD loves garlickly pesto, but made with mostly spinach and a little basil. Served on whole wheat pasta. Super easy and tasty!

kmc217

I would also suggest Fiber One bars. They taste like rice crispy treats. Not the best nutritionally, but loaded with fiber. Alternately, my DD2 was super constipated (9 days with no BM and I even had to disimpact her a couple times) and the pediatrician had me give her 1-2 tablespoons of Karo syrup in water daily and it really worked. It is osmolitic, similar to Miralax it works to draw liquid into the stool to help them pass. It took a day or so but has been helping a lot.

Aprilynn0206

Have you ever explored him having trouble digesting milk? My DD has this problem.

stellasam

Raisins, prunes, figs, peaches, pears...

Also, have you tried aloe vera juice? You'd have to get it at a health food store most likely. I've heard great things about it!

Good luck!

LoveEeyore

I give probiotics in their yogurt to boost the immune system in the winter and before and after shots.  I started making DH take them on his trips because he always comes home sick.  He laughed at me and while he continues to come home with some cold/flu, his gastrointestinal hardships improved.  I know they will not fix a medical problem, but they have helped here.

When my twins were anemic, I made a disgusting concoction- I boiled prunes, raisins, and dried apricots and cranberries, pureed, and then mixed with greek yougurt and a banana or blueberries.  In addition to improving their iron, their poops  took on a new life.  Good luck, hopefully you'll have some info and help soon!

drakee

This isn't a high fiber suggestion, but have you tried flaxseed oil?  We've had some success sneaking it into DD's oatmeal.  You can find it at health food stores.

MrsHughesNC

Poor guy :-( All the pp's suggestions are great. If he won't eat regular whole wheat pasta, Barilla Plus and Ronzoni Smart Taste taste like white pasta, but have a bunch of fiber.

Also would he eat a tortilla? There are lots of high fiber ones out there--Mission Carb Balance tastes like a white flour tortilla and is high in fiber.

Maybe as far as the cheese goes, switch to a soy or veggie based cheese product? Not sure of the fiber content in those, but they're lactose free.

Good luck to you! I hope you can get some answers soon.

boo-bitz

Instead of a laxitive you may want to try a stool softener like docusate sodium (colace) as they do not recommend repeated use of laxitives in anyone (the body becomes dependant on it to "go"), whereas a stool softener can be used without the worry of physiological dependance. (Thank you Pharmacology class...lol)  For fiber up here in Canada they make Benefiber to go, which is a tasteless powder you can add to their juice/water/milk etc to help them get the extra fiber. I think it is avaialble in the US too.