Urgent - constipated child.

[CherLooksYoungerThanMe]

Hi,

Six year old currently sat on the loo in some discomfort, very constipated. I think she's been trying to force it as there was a tiny amount of fresh blood on a tissue. Anything I can do to make the process easier? My mum is here and she suggested orange juice, which she's had a bit of, and I also had some lactulose from the pharmacist for her sister a few months back, so given a small dose of that, although I suspect that takes longer to work. No history of similar problems. She can't remember when she last went, although I know she definitely did on Sunday night.

Any quick fixes? I'll get onto maybe adding something to diet to keep things steady once we've got her sorted, but she is in a lot of discomfort. When does it become an A&E issue?

Get her to do some kids yoga, have a big drink of apple juice.

You need to speak to your pharmacist. Glycerine suppositories and a course of movicol. Orange juice or lactulose is bolting gate after horse gone.

Fresh orange juice and olive oil.
Ring your local chemist and see what the Pharmacist reccomends.
Hope she's feeling better soon.

Whilst she is sat on the toilet, give her something to raise her legs on, like an upturned box, or a small footstool, it will help her to evacuate more easily.

Get a small box or pile of books for her to raise her feet comfortably off the floor so a) they are not dangling in air and b) they make her legs bend at a good 90 degrees while she is sitting on the seat. This may not be effective straight away, get her to move around fairly actively in between and drink plenty.

I’d like to add exercise in the mix of suggestions, this will get her bowels going. Go for a long walk somewhere, some fresh air, and plenty to drink.

She's got her feet raised and is drinking plenty of water while she's sat on the loo. I suggested exercise, but at the moment she won't get off. Might try olive oil.

Why won't she get off the toilet, is it worrying her?

Lots and lots of raisins and water.

I think she's just in pain and it's not a pain she's used to. Just got her up for a little walk around for a couple of minutes, so I'll just keep trying that.

I just need to get her emptied out, and then look at what we could do diet wise for the future. She drinks plenty at home, and says she does at school. Has fruit regularly, isn't a particularly fussy eater so plenty of variety.

Have you got any balloons or bubbles? Blowing relaxes the sphincter muscles which helps with going.

Off to find some bubbles. I'm sure there are some somewhere.....

Vasaline placed up inside the rectum can help smooth the pathway. Not pleasant but might help

I remember being given warm honey for constipation as a child.

Hope it gets better soon.

Might some coffee help?

Grapes, but try not to spend all day in the toilet.... A watched pot and all that.

Tummy massage

Try circle rubbing on her tummy and bicycle legs like you do for babies x

If she gets bored of sitting put her in a pullup and let her play, but tell her as soon as she feels the need she should go and not to worry.

It will take her mind off of it for a while and let her relax.

Yes was going to suggest blowing bubbles i have a child with chronic constipation (plus other complex disabillities) lactulose might work in the short term dont panic a few days isnt that long movicol is very good too as long as your child drinks it .

Suppositories, massage colon, encourage exercise, lots water. That should get it moving. If it's recurring, cut down on white carbs, have fresh fruit and veg every day and lots of exercise.

Glycerine suppositories.
Also try to get her off the loo as it won't be helping and if she's got a little tear sitting straining might make things worse.

I used to massage my boys belly when he got like this. He’d withhold and then he’d have a massive shit.

Quite firmly ‘knead’ the belly area.

A glycerin suppository xx

And yes to googling how to massage tummy for constipation.

My ds suffered severe chronic constipation - even when in 10 movicol a day