Toddler with constipation

[KembleTwins]

My three year old dd has been constipated for about a month. She has had some bowel movements, but not much, and she's been in a lot of pain with it. I've been to the pharmacist and have been given some laxative, but three days on, and still nothing. I'm fairly sure it's psychological rather than dietary - she's a twin, and her sister eats the same and isn't constipated. She was ill a while ago, and was sick, which seems to have been the starting point. Since then, she's been holding on like mad and simply refuses to even try to produce anything. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm getting really stressed about it! Thanks!

[Rumpel]

Take her to the Gp for some Movicol. My DD is nearly 3 and suffers terribly (since being ill aged 1)and it is now psychological. You want to get it sorted very soon or it becomes a major problem.

[KembleTwins]

Thanks for that. Will head to GP on Monday.

[Dysgu]

You could also pick up some lactulose at the pharmacy tomorrow which is a 'stool softener'. My DD1 is also a sufferer and holds on because she thinks it will hurt. We have been using lactulose for a couple of weeks and she is now doing a pooh every 3 days or so. They are getting softer as she is not holding on anymore so we are coing out of the catch 22 situation whereby holding on makes the body reabsorb the liquid and dries out the pooh so it hurts...

Good luck

[Parmageddon]

My dd2 takes Movicol. It works very well, but they may not give it to you straight away, I found they preferred to try lactulose and senna first. It just dissolves in a drink but tastes slightly salty.

PS If you live in Kemble, I used to live there!

[KembleTwins]

We've already got lactulose - she's had the maximum dose for the last three days and still nothing. Fingers crossed for tomorrow...

[Rumpel]

We had lactulose for over a year but they reckon she developed an anal fissure so they gave me movicol - it really works making them much softer than lactulose but unfortunately she has developed the fear of going to the loo and holds and holds it in. We could take her to the loo 10 x and the 1 time we are a second late is when she does it in her pants.

We have even tried bribery with chocolate lollipops etc but she has just got into the habit.

Have tried the relax approach - looking through books whilst on potty, holding her hand, getting down to her level, toilet seat for toddlers etc etc - nothing!

Good luck.

[Rumpel]

By the way when she does go about every 3 days they are gargantuan and I often wonder if the toilet will be able to cope LOL

[secretsquirrel1]

Cranial osteopathy....works every time! Phone them first to give them an idea of the problem - it will cost, but anything is better than seeing them in so much discomfort. You may only need to go once or twice, and they should give you tips on how to manage it thereafter. Good luck!