Constipated 13mo ds2 - any advice?

[runnervt]

Hi. He's been struggling to poo for maybe a month - he puts in a lot of effort for not much output (sorry if TMI!). I've tried modifying his diet but he's not very keen on fruit and veg. Or fruit juice and most definitely does not like prune juice! All this has not made any particular difference. What else should I try? Or is it just a matter of persevering?
Also I'm confused about wholemeal bread - good or bad?
He does like biscuits and cakes so would flapjack or something like that help?
He keeps pooing at night and being quite unsettled and I'm wondering if he's uncomfortable. I'm quite sleep deprived at any rate so I'm keen to sort it out!

[alypaly]

get him to the docs and they will give him either lactulose or movicol paediatric sachets. He could have a slightly impacted bowel if it has been going on that long.i wouldnt leave it as it could become painful

[nightcat]

For home remedies, other things you could try is cutting down on cows dairy (common cause of constipation) and you could also add a few flaxseeds to each meal - ideally ground and given with something liquid (sprinkled on soup or mash).
If not ground, try soaking them briefly, they swell up a little and create a soft gel-like outer layer, this is so-called soluble fiber, far healthier than wheat in flapjack.
It's too much calcium in cows dairy that bungs them up. You could try goats dairy instead, but try cutting down on dairy first to see the difference.

[runnervt]

Thanks for the replies.
nightcat He doesn't have a lot of cows milk dairy - maybe one or two wee yoghurts a day. At least it doesn't seem much to me I could be wrong! I have been using the yoghurt to get him to take fruit puree too.
alypaly do you know how you give the medicine? He is a nightmare to give medicine to. Is it something that can be mixed in with food?

[alypaly]

if you get one called regulose,it is plum flavoured. The plain one is just sweet and syrupy so you shouldnt have much problem in getting him to take it. But you can mix with a drink. I would get a script from Gp rather than treating him yourself...but ask for regulose if you want the flavoured one. It take 2-3 days before it works so dont be impatient.

If he is pooing liitle currants he may need movicol paediatric so have a word with Gp.[psmile]
Pediatric info : Very little information on the use of lactulose in young children and adolescents has been recorded. As with adults, the subjective goal in proper treatment is to produce 2 or 3 soft stools daily. On the basis of information available, the recommended initial daily oral dose in infants is 2.5 to 10 mL in divided doses.

[runnervt]

alypaly Thanks again. I've made a gp appointment for Monday so we'll see what she says.

[runnervt]

Bit of an update - he's been sick a few times in the last few days and had too explosive nappies today. Not constipated at the moment that's for sure! I'm just wondering now if anyone has any advice as to whether it's worth going to the doctor still? I don't think the ongoing problem is solved but would they do anything if he's not actually constipated at the time?

[katechristie]

I would still take him, so they can have a feel of his abdomen - he may still have some impaction, but the GO can advise you anyway - especially now that you have an apt booked, with Christmas etc.

My DS is now on movicol, after being on lactulose for 6months, which in the end, wasn't working for him and now we've got a long term issue to resolve. It's horrible seeing them struggling and I wish so much i'd realised much sooner he needed help going - everybody kept telling me all children struggle from time to time and I just didn't take him to the GP for ages.

For DS fluid is the key, we've bought so many different cups, glasses and sports cup things, and I dot 2-3 around the place so that if we go from room to room, I know water isn't too far away - you just can't force them to drink can you, it's such a problem. He has started drinking smoothies now, which is a real break through as he will at least get one portion of fruit in him that way. Good luck, hope it resolves fairly quickly for you.

[runnervt]

katechristie Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't have done that much about it either until I read on here that it can be a problem if it goes on too long. I guess I'll go and see what the GP has to say - like you say, as I've got the appt booked now.

[alypaly]

just because he has had an explosive nappy does not mean he doesnt have constipation. Just as kate says a child can still have a partially impacted bowel and then some poo gets round the blockage eventually. But if he is constipated alot ,it will make him feel sickly.