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Original poster

What fixed your toddlers constipation?

39 replies

whatsnewchoochoo · 27/04/2019 23:37

Any tips?

DS - 2 years and 5 months has always been constipated. Was prescribed laculose which just gave him belly ache every day but didn't seem to make much difference.

Was prescribed movicol but told not to give it unless he's drinking large amounts of water which he isn't and I just can't get him to (he will sip throughout the day but won't drink more)

Prunes (Ella's kitchen pouch) seem to be making no difference. Neither do oranges. He won't eat pears. He won't drink prune juice (even when mixed with cordial)

Did anyone find a magic cure I've missed?

OP posts:
Mylittlepony374 · 27/04/2019 23:42

Kiwifruit. If he won't eat it, puree a couple into a smoothee.

harrietkatie · 27/04/2019 23:44

My son was severely constipated. It was horrible. Blood etc.

Turns out he was lactose intolerant! Changed all milk to soya etc and within a week all bowels were fine!

But this was for long term chronic constipation... not sure if your child just had a bout of constipation or not!

cinderfeckinrella · 27/04/2019 23:53

Movicol really helped my ds...he got constipated then it hurt to go, started withholding. Vicious circle really. If it's more than constipation it's called encopresis. There's an app/storybook called poo goes to pooland. It was created by NHS doctors who deal specifically with encopresis, really helped too. Good luck

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FurrySlipperBoots · 27/04/2019 23:56

Dried apricots?

Encouraging him to drink more water? You can make it more appealing by using a fun cup/colourful character straw/adding icecubes/offering mild fizz/adding a splash of juice/diluting his milk, if he still drinks it

Make your own drinking games. For example, using a large die with a different coloured spot on each face instead of dots. Take it in turns to roll. If it's red he chooses one of the home made cards with a red spot on it, turns it over and sees if there's a picture of a cup of water. If there is he takes a drink and keeps the card. If there isn't it's your turn. Same for all the different colours.

Consciously give him high-water snacks as opposed to dehydrating ones - cucumber sticks with a tzatzki dip for example, rather than cheese and crackers. Yoghurt and grapes rather than peanut butter on toast.

Is he very active? Running around at the park is going to move things along faster than if he's sitting in front of a screen.

I don't know if any of thee things will help as it sounds like he has a chronic problem but they're worth a shot!

popehilarious · 27/04/2019 23:56

Movicol only needs to be given with approx 4 tablespoons of water so it's not exactly a lot. My dc still often won't drink it until the end of the day. It's totally sorted it out though, not sure how long to keep taking it for!

cestlavielife · 27/04/2019 23:59

Probiotics help.. ask in health shop for powder to put in drink or yogurt etc. Kerp in fridge . E.g. biocare make a kids powder.

Dora26 · 28/04/2019 00:04

Milled linseed - add to smoothies, yoghurts, stews etc or on cereals - miracleworker!

Original poster
whatsnewchoochoo · 28/04/2019 00:16

Thanks everyone, I'm taking them all on board Smile

OP posts:
AnemoneAnenome · 28/04/2019 00:18

He needs to get more liquid in, movicol or not. If he is not drinking a decent volume of liquid he will stay constipated.

If he won't drink it between meals then give him lots with meals (include milk on cereal, cup of milk with breakfast) and/or add squash to make it more appealing. Changing the temp - add ice cubes or serve it kind of lukewarm as "hot squash" or warm milk. Make these things a treat but also don't be afraid to set expectations that he finish his drink, especially at mealtimes, and has set drinking times between meals when he needs to sit down and have his drink (starting with about 30mls if you have to so it's very easy). Get some paper straws and serve it in a "big boy cup" or let him drink it out of your glass. People say lollies but if you are having to get 1.8l of liquid into a preschooler day in day out, lollies just aren't big enough to contribute much. That said, lollies, melon, jelly etc all add a little.

TFBundy · 28/04/2019 00:20

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AnemoneAnenome · 28/04/2019 00:21

Crossposted with some good ideas from Furry. If you give him dried apricots, rehydrate them first by pouring on a cup of boiling water and leaving for an hour.

whatisheupto · 28/04/2019 00:23

Agree with pp that it may be a cows milk allergy.... after 5 years of pellet poos and mild constipation I think I have finally worked out this is the culprit for my dd.

minesthecutest · 28/04/2019 00:25

movicol was the only thing that helped mine and anytime she missed a dose then it'd be painful again.
She drank loads of water as it was but eventually I decreased the amount of movicol by a quarter of the packet, I did it very very slowly so In all it took 4 months to decrease yo just having a quarter if a packet and then she just didn't seem to need it once she turned 3 and half but that could be her body just growing and her not being afraid to poo Iyswim.

HappyInL0nd0n · 28/04/2019 00:37

Movicol plus fruit plus any liquid you can get in - apple juice, squash, milk... do what you need to do and cut back on the sugar once things have stabilised.

You don't want your child to get a pain association with pooing because that can lead to literally years of toilet training related problems. Kids holding it in because they're scared to poo.

One of my worst memories is my little two year old screaming in agony because she hadn't gone in 3 days and was scared to because of the pain. All good now, but you have to relax your expectations and return your focus to keeping the food moving through their little systems.

Also, lots of watermelon. Kids love it and it's mostly water. Good luck.

Original poster
whatsnewchoochoo · 28/04/2019 00:47

Thank you everyone- I really appreciate the replies. I probably really do need to set rules about drinking more liquid.

He's still breastfed so doesn't drink a lot of cows milk (used to love cheese but doesn't seem to now) but I'll keep an eye on whether diary is having an influence

OP posts:
StillMissV · 28/04/2019 00:50

Grapes. We now have a bowl of Pre chopped grapes in the fridge which he can have as many of as he likes! Like you, wed tried everything but happened upon grapes by chance at my mums after she'd given him free reign of the fruit bowl.

Shoebedoo · 28/04/2019 00:50

Freshly squeezed orange or get him to eat 2 small clementines each day .. or make flapjacks with flaxseeds in them Cold water works as well

peachgreen · 28/04/2019 00:56

Soft prunes work better than the prune pouches. And NO BANANAS. They're the devil.

Original poster
whatsnewchoochoo · 28/04/2019 01:00

Ha Grin luckily he hates bananas.

Ah bake things into a flapjack! I can't bake but I will learn, that may well help

OP posts:
Livingthedream12345 · 28/04/2019 07:47

With my DD it was buying big bottles of fizzy water, which she was eager to drink with some squash. She never drank enough. That and cartons of Apple juice.

SingleMumFighting · 28/04/2019 07:55

Avocado

popehilarious · 28/04/2019 09:31

Check the Eric website but I don't think cows milk 'counts' towards the liquid they need to consume? Should be water I think? Happy to be corrected if wrong...

Rafabella8 · 28/04/2019 22:24

My DS was bothered with this too when he was a toddler. We found that increasing his water intake worked. Bought him some fun bendy straws etc. Worked a treat.

Chinks123 · 28/04/2019 22:28

Dd was horrendous with constipation as a toddler. I actually used to cry watching her screaming and sweating Sad Doctors did nothing, but one day I tried taking away cows milk from her diet and it stopped! About a year later I introduced it back in and she’s been fine ever since. Hope you find something to help.

QforCucumber · 28/04/2019 22:28

Kiwi here too. He loves them but we have to limit his intake as they seem to completely clear him out!

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