any tips for child constipation??
my son is 6 and for the past 2 yrs he hasnt had regular bowel movements..he goes once…maybe twice a week…
i dont want to give him a bunch of laxitives or enemas…
and i try my best to give him the right amount of fruits/veggies.
just wondering if anyone knows of anything esle i might be able to do….thanks
Many people here gave good advice: Your son should continue to eat soluble fiber (fruits and veggies, oatmeal, brown rice, etc.) because insoluble fiber (bran cereals) actually can constipate people. He should also continue drinking plenty of water because eating fiber based foods without enough water will also constipate him. Because he is so young, you want to avoid the laxatives and enemas at this time. They may disrupt the good bacteria in his gut. If neither of these work, consider having him see a Herbal Practitioner or other Alternative Practitioner who can actually see him and talk to the both of you at length to see how they can help.
August 14th, 2007 at 12:00 am
prunes or prune juice and lots of water.
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August 14th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Make him drink a lot of water daily (10 or more cups) and add more fiber to his diet and perhaps some prunes. That sure enough will make him go to the bathroom daily and if this all fails enemas are quicker.
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August 14th, 2007 at 12:00 am
try dr.pepper, it has prune juice in it.
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August 14th, 2007 at 12:01 am
Some people don't have to go number two as often as others. Every ones body is different. My two year old goes several times in two days and then doesn't at all for 3 or 4 days. Make sure he gets fruit juice and if you are still concerned take him to his doctor.
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August 14th, 2007 at 12:03 am
If he isn't uncomfortable and he is eating enough fiber in his diet, I'm not sure I would worry too much. Bowel habits vary from person to person. You might try encouraging him to drink plenty of water.
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August 14th, 2007 at 12:04 am
check with your doctor but i would try pedialyte and I know it might be nasty but prune juice.
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August 14th, 2007 at 12:10 am
It may be autism or an obsessive compulsive disorder. He may be purposely holding it. A regular doctor will just give laxatives or enemas. There may be a mental issue here. It is worth taking him to a counseler to see. I have a son will the same problem. He is slightly autistic and for him it's a control issue. Bribary has worked for me.
A treat for going.
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August 14th, 2007 at 12:23 am
see a specialist as he may have something else wrong and you need specialist advice for this. Make sure he is drinking lot's of water as well as this is really important. See a doctor though and they will tell you the best thing. If he is fully "backed up" you need medication as diet alone won't fix it
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August 14th, 2007 at 4:50 am
give him a glass of warm milk at night before going to bed.this is effective.
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August 14th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Miralax
It is now available over the counter. At 3, our son was diagnosed with chronic constipation. He's been on it for 3 years. He is under the care of a pediatric gastroenterologist. His doctor says there are no ill effects from taking this medication long term.
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August 14th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Many people here gave good advice: Your son should continue to eat soluble fiber (fruits and veggies, oatmeal, brown rice, etc.) because insoluble fiber (bran cereals) actually can constipate people. He should also continue drinking plenty of water because eating fiber based foods without enough water will also constipate him. Because he is so young, you want to avoid the laxatives and enemas at this time. They may disrupt the good bacteria in his gut. If neither of these work, consider having him see a Herbal Practitioner or other Alternative Practitioner who can actually see him and talk to the both of you at length to see how they can help.
References :
August 15th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
plenty of fluids may help so long as theyre not high on sugar.water is THE best but try fibre rich real fruit juice as well.&,oh,have you tried feeding her oatmeal & some dried fruits too??raisins,dates & figs do best but see if she likes it 1st.some even suggested pear juice to me when i had a bad case of constipation long before i gave birth last month,hope it can help your child as well
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