V constipated 3 yo, any ideas?

[SnugglySnerd]

Dd has been taking Movicol twice a day since early Feb to help with her constipation. We ordered a repeat prescription last week and the pharmacy has ordered it but there seems to be a shortage as they can't get hold of any.
In the meantime, dd has run out and is really constipated. She keeps soiling her pants and she cried when she tried to use the potty.
She eats a lot of fruit and veg already. She is currently eating a pear to try and help. Any other suggestions? Are there any over the counter remedies that might help? I remember being given syrup of figs as a child but don't know if you can still get it or if she is too young.

prunes soaked in orange juice can help. also hot water with fresh lemon juice x

Thank you. We have some lemons, will try that!

Can you get Lactulose instead of Movicol? Syrup of Figs is still available, but tastes foul.
Liquorice, dried apricots ?

Ellas Kitchen Prunes Pouch, we always have a stash at home in case DC gets a poorly tummy! They work a treat!

Prunes! If they don't like the taste, mix in with pear and apple. It will get things going.

Lots of fluids too.

Oh dear. It sounds as if she is impacted.
Prunes are good.
You may need a laxative from the pharmacy.
Google ERIC and the Poo Nurses. Watch the poo nurses video, try the ERIC helpline.
I don't know how well ERIC is working during the current crisis.
You need expert advice asap as it sounds like she has a blockage.

Don't, whatever you do, give dried fruit to a child who may be impacted.
Try to get lactulose or movicol, either at a different pharmacy or on line.

I know this one, it is not your daughter , it is compacted bowels, kids do get it .
Go look up symptoms.

The Ella' prune pouches are good but expensive. Sainsburys own are half the price. Asda did them but not seen for a while.

Fresh orange juice too.

Drink a lot of fluids every day.
I can not recommend that enough!
It will prevent the stool hardening and keep it moving through her system
Make sure she drinks the maximum for her age every day

You can buy movicol over the counter or the cheaper version cosmocol. Or fybogel?

Sympathues, impaction is awful for the child and for you

Yes lots and lots of fluids and exercise too. Difficult at the moment I know.

Second Ella’s kitchen prunes, my dd likes it but you could add it to yogurts ect or mix in her food. Best of luck

Kiwi fruit is really good. For children in rehabilitation after serious accidents & illnesses, we found it really helped to keep things moving!

Eating fruit whole really helps rather than blending or in other ways destroying the fibre.

And exercise. The kids who were able to move a lot had far fewer problems

My nephew had issues at the same age (he suddenly stopped when he was about 5) and we found it definitely improved with kiwi fruit & lots of exercise.

Good luck to finding some things that work for her because it’s utterly miserable 🌷

You can buy the adult Laxido/Movicol over the counter if you say it’s for you. 1 adult sachet is equivalent to 2 child sachets.
Agree to the poo nurses video.

Thank you all so much. Lots of ideas. I'll try and get some Ella's prunes. She likes kiwi so I'll see what I an get. This would happen at a time when it's hard to do shopping and go out for exercise! Good tipmabout adult movicol too.
She has been out on her scooter today and has just done a poo albeit in her pants.
Thanks again everyone!

She can't help it, bit like a drain over flowing.
But it does go away.

If you can rub the kiwi to get the worst off the fairs off you can leave the skin on and chop into chunks for her to eat. Chock full of fibre.

I used to make what I called poo compote too, dried figs/apricots/prunes/apples cooked in orange juice with spices. Used to stir into yogurt/porridge or even eat on it's own Judy to help. If you've got fruit going soft in the fruit bowl can all be added too.

Good luck

You really, really don't want extra fibre for an impacted child.

Do you know anyone that can give you some movicol while you wait? It's a poo softener so the longer you leave it the more impacted your dd will get.

I'm sure you can try another pharmacy as well if necessary.

Maybe she isn't ready for pants and she is deliberately holding it in - just a thought.

If she worn a nappy- or had the option of asking for a nappy if she needed to poop, maybe she wouldn't seem so constipated.

@kayakingmum. They have a prescription for movicol, the gp has agreed the DC is constipated. This is not poo withholding and going back to nappies will not fix it.

OP I hope you manage to get some movicil from somewhere soon.

Thank you again for all the advice. I will ask around to see if anyone has some spare movicol that's a great idea. Phoning pharmacy on Monday to see if they have it yet. Fingers crossed!

Agree with trying to get hold of some lactoluse until you manage to get Movicol. If there are any other chemists near you, then try them. Neither lactoluse or Movicol are prescription only. Stay away from fibrogel or anything with a lot of fibre as that makes impaction worse. Lots of liquid and fruit will hopefully help, stomach massage can help too. I hope she's better soon.