Anyone have a chronically constipated toddler?

2 year old DD has chronic constipation. When she gets constipated she can scream bloody mary/push for 2+ hours until she finally has a bowel movement. I generally need the assistance of a suppository at least twice a month and she takes 1/2 capful of Miralax daily (she's only 23 lbs). It's difficult to watch her suffer when she gets like this and I know it's also hard on her emotionally. Also, it will be impossible to potty train her if this continues. I plan to add prune juice to the mix (I use it off and on but will start giving it daily) but I was wondering for those whose toddlers suffer the same, do you have any type of list of foods your DC should eat and those he should stay away from? Pediatrician basically said I can up Miralax but I'd prefer to try making dietary changes to see if it will help instead. She still loves milk and I know that could be contributing, and processed foods don't help. She eats plenty of fruits and veggies daily. What do you give for bkfst, what are typical snacks, etc? Thank you

Re: Anyone have a chronically constipated toddler?

Does she drink a lot of liquids throughout the day? If we don't chase him all day and stick a straw in his mouth, he won't drink. Our ped also just had us increase his miralax- 3/4 of a capful twice-three times a day in any liquid. She wanted us to basically make him have the runs so that he could 'get it out' and not have him be scared to go for a few days
Our little guy eats so much fruit during the day but these might help you: grapes, kiwi, pears, baked pears ,

Might help to switch to 2% milk and curb the dairy and bananas, oatmeal, breads and rice. I barely give our little guy any bread/rice...

Good luck. But talk to your ped before you go changing her miralax. Oh and ask about a mineral oil enema. Yuck but it works. And fast. And also ask about having her drink a spoonful of olive oil

Bfast: yogurt or cereal or cottage cheese / eggs/ frencb toast/!pancakes and a fruit
Cup of milk or juice with miralax

Lunch; turkey roll ups with cheese or pbjelly sandwiches, or yogurt or cottage cheese, leftovers from dinner, salad (tomatoes and cucumbers), (organic) canned black bean or veg barley soup, spinach pancakes, Ch nuggets, followed by a fruit. Cup of juice or water

Dinner: whatever home cooked meal with veggies and salad.

After dinner: some sort of fruit and milk before we brush teeth etc

Message edited 5/28/2013 9:56:12 PM.

Re: Anyone have a chronically constipated toddler?

Try pear juice.. Works like a charm for my son. He has issue with constipation too. Started when he was an infant. He is now 3. Prunes and prune juice really didn't work. He is now 3 and when he has too much dairy, he get backed up.. 2-3 ounces of pear juice and it clears him out..

Have you taken her to a pedi GI? I would go there to rule out anything. A regular pedi can only do so much. She could have a lactose issue. My cousin was like that from 15 months until 4 years old. Ended up being lactose intolerant.. Constipation is a big symptom of lactose intolerance in infant/toddlers...

Anyone have a chronically constipated toddler?

my son was terribly constipated. After he gave up his bottle he refused milk (never really like yogurt) and it dramatically improved. I try to limit dairy and carbs like pancakes, bagels etc

Re: Anyone have a chronically constipated toddler?

Thank you- she drinks tons of water and no bananas but I may bring her to a ped GI and try the pear juice. I really don't want to increase miralax. In fact, I was hoping to decrease it at some point. I think I'll have to start limiting her dairy intake.

Anyone have a chronically constipated toddler?

My son needs to have half a cup of prune juice every day or he gets pretty backed up. He had the same thing with the crying and pushing for an hour or two. I remember it taking at least 3 to 4 days of giving it regularly before we saw improvement. I read that prune juice has fiber and draws liquid into the stool to make it softer, similar to Miralax but natural. He does eat some whole grains a day but mostly fruits and veggies. He loves banana and has half each day. Doesn't seem to affect him. The ped advises to cut back on meats and cheeses so we watch his intake of those and give yogurt for calcium. I also try to limit processed foods. They tend to be lower in fiber. Good luck! I know how frustrating and heartbreaking it can be to see them struggle.

Re: Anyone have a chronically constipated toddler?

Pears!!! I buyed canned ones that are in pear juice not syrup and DD will eat them and they always help. Pear juice and white grape juice help also

Re: Anyone have a chronically constipated toddler?

Maybe try avoiding gluten and dairy for a few weeks to see if that helps.

For snacks you could do hummus with carrots, organic corn chips (garden of eatin or late July), popcorn, etc.

Anyone have a chronically constipated toddler?

my daughter has been had constipation issues since she is a baby now- 15 months.. Pear juice is our #1 go to she has that as her drink thru the day when she doesnt have milk.

we giver raisin bran every morning..works great or any other bran cereal.

try adding some wheat germ to his yogurt, flax seed oil, trader joes sells pear sauce.dr said to stay away from bananas, apples, and carrots..all very constipating.

i understand your drustration. my LO screams when she finally goes.. feel so bad :(