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Help - she is screaming from constipation pain

LipstickLibrarianLipstickLibrarian
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

Has anyone else had an extremely constipated LO and what have you done about it?

This first happened just before her 9 month appt - she'd been constipated before, sure, but never to the point of tears.  Pedi said give 1/4 capful of miralax once a day for no more than 5 days.  He said it is risky b/c her intestines could start to depend on it.  That kind of scared me, so I've been using the miralax only for a couple of days if she seems constipated.

It hasn't seemed to help; for the past 3 days each of her bowel movements have made her cry.  This is despite the fact that for the past 2 days I've given miralax in her morning bottle, she's eaten prunes for breakfast and pears or some other fruit mix with fiber for lunch and I've even tried to sneak in a couple of snacks of whole wheat toast.  I have given her juice a couple of times.  All this and she is still in so much pain -- I'm concerned!  I put a call in to the pedi after today's BM, but he hasn't called back yet. 

Anyone else been through this?  We did switch to cow's milk in the past 3 weeks, and she's a picky eater, but loves yogurt and bananas so I give them to her, but not every day.  Help!

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Re: Help - she is screaming from constipation pain

  • almost momma of twoalmost momma of two
    DS has used Miralax for about a year now. His pedi says it's not habit forming so it can be used every day so we do. He still gets plugged up like that and screams, so the doc told me to double his dose. It always works. I hope you find some answers! It's horrible to see our babes in that much pain!
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  • fiona21408fiona21408
    Miralax!!
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  • KKMMexKKMMex
    I often use a glycerin suppository as a last resort.  Also, 2 tsp of Karo syrup in the bottle or sippy cup has worked for me also.  I'm so sorry - it's just no fun when they're constipated!

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  • gatogrrlgatogrrl member

    You can try switching to soy milk.  Cow's milk and milk products are  constipators.  I also had luck with this cereal (Hodgson Mills multigrain cereal with flaxseed and soy).  I mix it with yogurt and some fruit and she loves it.  Since she's been eating it, she's been sooo much more regular.

    ETA: it's not usually as expensive as it is in this link!  At a health food store, you can get a box (not individual packets) for half the price and it lasts quite a while.

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  • jessicasuzannjessicasuzann
    You could ask your pedi about getting an Rx for lactulose. It is a non-habit forming, totally safe option that is similar to Karo Syrup, in that it absorbs water into the bowels. DD's been taking it on and off since 6 months old, and it really helps! Some adult patients have been on it for decades; it's completely fine. (and it's a cheap Rx, too.)
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  • misscindycakemisscindycake
    My DD has severe constipation problems.  She has to eat prunes daily to stay regular.  We have also experienced poops that caused crying and even bloody skin tears.  I just make a mental note to keep up on her fiber intake.  I try to make sure she gets at least 7 grams per day and I also try to limit dairy and bananas.  I'll give her half a banana on occasion, but then try to follow it up with prunes to counteract the constipating effect.  A great way I have found to sneak in fiber is on whole wheat bread grilled cheese.  Each slice has 3 grams, so that's almost a days worth right there and the little bit of cheese doesn't really interfere.  I'm so sorry for your and your LO.  It's so sad!  GL!
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  • Jenn875Jenn875

    We used to do milk of magnesia everyday.  We were able to back off and only give it to DD when we know she hasn't had a bowel movement after a couple of days.  

    We tried prunes, juice, etc and nothing seemed to help.

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  • kelbriankelbrian

    If she loves yogurt, buy some ground flax seed to put in there. If Lili is constipated, I put a teaspoon or so of flax in her yogurt, and she ends up pooping within an hour usually.

    Bananas can cause constipation, so stop giving those to her when she is having problems. Try foods that have a laxative effect like grapes, black beans, or green beans. 

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  • valkazvalkaz

    imagealmost momma of two:
    DS has used Miralax for about a year now. His pedi says it's not habit forming so it can be used every day so we do.

    Ditto. Sounds like your doctor doesn't really know what he's talking about.

    We give prunes/prune juice, pears/pear juice, and water. We also give her warm baths and move her legs in a bicycle motion.

    image
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  • WannaBMommy81WannaBMommy81
    DD started getting constipated when she started solids.  Veggies is what we started with.  We give dd 1tsp every other day to help keep her regular.  One pedi told us 1/4 a capful and another told us we could give her 1/2 a cap (which is the adult dose!!)  When we first started out we did give her 1/4 every day for awhile.  If DD get too backed up and in pain I use a glycerin suppository and while she does cry and is in pain she gets everything out within a couple of minutes and is comfortable again.  I feel bad when she is in pain and doesn't feel comfy but it helps!
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  • PaxMamaPaxMama
    Besides bananas and milk, grains can also be very constipating.  FWIW, constipation can also be a sign of extreme sensitivity (IgG mediated) or allergy (IgE mediated) to a food.
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