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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Ds constipated [sad]

31 replies

jbadgirl · 12/11/2005 21:49

Ds is 13months old and gets very "bunged". He does not drink enough fluids but this is gradually improving. Does anyone have any "miracle" solutions to help???

OP posts:

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jbadgirl · 26/11/2005 09:57

Well i spoke to doc on phone and he prescribed ds some senna syrup and some suppositories!

We have only given him one suppository and he seems to have had a fantastic "clear out" since we started him on the lactulose and senna!

He seems to be eating a little better too.

Looking back i wish i had gone to the doc sooner as i have missed out on 5 weeks of a full night sleep. His sleeping has been soooooo much better too.

So a good all round improvement. Also giving him prunes on breakfast!!!!!

Thamks to everyone who posted, you have given some great advise x

OP posts:

hoolagirl · 21/11/2005 20:55

My ds was on 2.5 of lactulose, when that didnt work doc just told me to give him 5ml which moved things.
I now give him a drink of prune juice every day (stuff in a large glass bottle, more expensive but lasts for 14 days in the fridge) and this seems to be doing the trick. Still not completely 'normal', but a hell of a lot better !

Blandmum · 21/11/2005 18:08

I can take a while, you do have to keep on with it. Once it is working you may still have to keep it up for a while.

jbadgirl · 21/11/2005 18:07

Well we are on day 2.5 with lactulose and ds is still constipated. Will be ringing the doctors tmrw. Will keep him on it though!

OP posts:

Blandmum · 20/11/2005 18:15

We found the easiest way to get it into dd was to use a syringe....you can get them in the pharmacists with a little bung adaptor that you can fit into the bottle. they way you can be accurate in the dose and get it all done asap.

Dd was 2.5 when she was potty trained and it all went quite well, she was 'done' in two weeks. And it helped the consipation. Possibley because she was 'in control' with the potty IYSWIM

HappyMumof2 · 20/11/2005 18:09

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HappyMumof2 · 20/11/2005 18:08

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Blandmum · 20/11/2005 17:39

And my dd ate more fruit that I could believe and she was still consitpated. he diet was (and is ) excellent and I used to wince when well meaning friends said, 'give her some orange juice' If she had drunk any more she'd have goon orange

She would go for 5-7 days without pooing and would strain to keep it in, because she knew it would hurt. It was horrible as she would spend most of a day crying. I was at my wits end. In the end potty training helped.....no idea why and she is quite normal now. But it was a horrible time and you have my sympathy.

Blandmum · 20/11/2005 17:36

You mum has made the very common mistake of confusing lactulose with the class of laxitives that make the bowel contract, it is very different.

My dd was on lactulose of 18 months! Now she is almost 9 and has no adverse effects of a year and a half's treatment.

In fact you are much better to tearts for a longer period, because untrated constipation can bcause the lower bowel to stop 'picking up' that it is full and sending messages to the brain that you need to do a poo. Once that happens you can often need much longer treatment

HappyMumof2 · 20/11/2005 17:31

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Blandmum · 20/11/2005 16:57

Don't be scared to give it for a long time!

In fact it doesn't work instantly and has to be given for a while.

Lactulose is made up of a sugar that we can't absorb. It passes through out gut unchanged until it gets to the intestines. these are full of bacteria who can break down lactulose. Because they now have lots of food they multiply , they die (naturaly) and their dead bodies help to make the poo bulkier and softer.

A third to a half of a normal poo is make up of dead bacteria! If you are consitpated you poo can be too hard. lactulose makes the normal bacteria multipy and in doing so softens to poo. It isn't absorbed by the body al all. Take good care over brushing the teeth, as the bateria in the mouth can break it down as well.

You have to take it for a while for the bacteria to grow etc

HTH

HappyMumof2 · 20/11/2005 16:47

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Elibean · 19/11/2005 22:30

Ouch...poor DS (and HMof2s DD). I find apple juice - the stronger the better - works wonders for DD. I don't mean the watery, carton variety - but the sort you can find in glass bottles, with labels shouting 'natural, pressed apple' etc. Our local fruit & veg. shop stocks them, do'nt usually buy them 'cos they're expensive but - cheap as a laxative. I used lactulose myself when pregnant, and it was good...but it does take a few hours to work sometimes. Good luck, hope something works soon.

rummum · 19/11/2005 18:07

A good thing to try for instant results is glycerine suppositories Have a word with the chemist... see if they recomend it first...
constipation is agony... and this will help untill the lactulose starts to work....
It is very gentle and works within 15 mins, it is like a small jelly bullet and not a super tampon!! (like I thought)

hope he feels better soon

Rummum

jbadgirl · 19/11/2005 13:47

just bought some lactulose for ds, tried apricots and prunes but still really bad.

If this doesnt help i will take him to docs cos i cant cope with another 5 weeks of sleepless nights!

OP posts:

HappyMumof2 · 14/11/2005 21:47

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soapbox · 14/11/2005 21:47

Small square of dark chocolate - bournville is fine and some fresh orange juice. Never fails

MistyEyed · 14/11/2005 21:35

Get some lactulose - either on prescription or over the counter. It is very mild but softens the poo enough to pass OK. All GPs will prescribe it. Brilliant stuff.

jbadgirl · 14/11/2005 21:08

I guess your not such a happy mum of two at the moment

Ds had been much better over the weekend and i have been really trying to get him to drink more which he has been doing.

I bought some dried apricots anyway and think i will start to put some on his porridge. I think i may invest in some prunes too.

Thanks for all your responses, really appreciate it x

OP posts:

mojomummy · 14/11/2005 21:05

Hi, what sort of milk is he drinking ? if it's follow-on I would switch back to normal formula & it's cows milk, I would still switch back.

Don't give bananas either.

If he doesn't start going regulary, please go to your doctor & request help.

Hopefully the suggestions posted will make a difference.

HappyMumof2 · 14/11/2005 21:03

Message withdrawn

frannyandzooey · 14/11/2005 20:54

Friend of mine swore by the '3 ps' - prunes, pears and I think it must have been peaches?

Good luck, this is miserable for both of you...

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hermykne · 14/11/2005 20:53

another plus fr prunes
i buy the tineed variety stew for 5 mins and add to my ds's porridge or maybe a teasppoon in a yogurt

WigWamBam · 14/11/2005 20:53

Kiwi fruit or prunes always sorted my dd out when she was younger, too. If you cook the prunes in a little bit of water they will blend easily.

Bellie · 14/11/2005 20:52

Prune porridge from the organix range is great for this!!

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