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Original poster

Constipation

31 replies

wimbledon · 31/01/2006 13:01

my 2 yr old has been constipated for over a week. I have been giving her lactulose but to no avail. Any suggestion as to what will help. She is now scared of going as it will hurt.

OP posts:
maretta · 31/01/2006 13:03

We've had similar problems with our two year old ds. Don't know what to suggest as I'm sure you've been doing water hI fibre etc.

Hope she goes soon. It's very upsetting.

maretta · 31/01/2006 13:03

We've had similar problems with our two year old ds. Don't know what to suggest as I'm sure you've been doing water hI fibre etc.

Hope she goes soon. It's very upsetting.

Blossomhill · 31/01/2006 13:04

have you tried pessaries? they give instant relief as get straight to where they need to wheras lactalose takes ages to get there iyswim. lactalose needs a lot of water as well to work.

As a fellow constipation sufferer the best thing to do is eat loads of fruit/veg/fibre and flush through with plenty of water. I have also been drinking actimel lately and that has also helped no end (although not sure if dd is too young to have them).

Good luck, it really is horrible having constipation

MaggieT · 31/01/2006 13:06

Take her to the doc before it becomes a bigger problem. They usually advise senna & lactulose together. One softens & the other pushes it out! You need to keep it goinf gradually reducing the dose over many weeks.

Tillyboo · 31/01/2006 13:21

Have youtried prunes or pears ? Both act as a natural laxative and they are gentle. My 22 month old regularly suffers too but I find these two fruits work well also. Another idea to help the 'exit' of the poosey is to put vaseline around your little ones bottom, get it as close to her anus as you can so that some of it ends up lying just inside the rim. This will help a smooth and less painful exit for the poo. I generally hold my little one in a squat position after applying the vaseline and when I notice her straining as this position seems to help her to push it out.

It's horrible to watch them suffer and I have every sympathy so good luck with my suggestions

Original poster
wimbledon · 31/01/2006 13:23

Thanks so far.

she eats loads of fruit and veg already (although I have stopped giving Bananas) and she loves figs!!!!
My friend has suggested upping the lactulose doseage but this would take her over what is recommended on the bottle!!!
Health Visitor has said that docor would only prescribe lactulose so they would be no help.

Would try pessaries - but what sort? can I get them over the counter or are their some old wives tales that I could try?

OP posts:
MaggieT · 01/02/2006 17:50

Lactulose is very mild. You often need loads of it before you get a result IYKWIM. Get it over the counter. Why don't you phone your GP rather than visit? He/she will advise over the phone. HV sounds as if she doesn't know what she's talking about.

SarahAndMegan · 01/02/2006 18:00

Actimel really helps me, My Dd is 12 weeks and has a similar problem although, I'm sorry to say it's every 3 days or so, not a week. I use Aptamil milk because of the pre-biotics in it, (similar to actimel) they basically help keep the mucous production going in the gut and the mucous membranes smooth, which should help make things easier, also GP recommended freshly squeezed orange juice mixed with cool boiled water (1 part juice to 5 parts water) and the two combined have really worked, she goes at least every day maybe twice. I got the advice about aptamil from the dieticians and some paediatric consultants at the children's hospital where I work. Hope suggestions help, and you find something that works soon.

SarahAndMegan · 01/02/2006 18:04

Forgot to say, Glycerin suppositories are great, we use them on the kids in hospital, and I know I've given them to babies younger than 2, I'm not 100% sure if they're prescription only though or if you can get over counter, sorry! But they're very mild and do work well.

moyasmum · 01/02/2006 19:03

Dd1 had same problem at about the same time. Doc gave us lactulose and we bulked up the diet with more fibre. With us it took a long while to sort itself out. I think I was told it takes twice as long to see an improvement in the situation as it does in the creation of it . Eg if she has been suffering for 2 weeks it might take another 4 for her to be straight. We used a chart in the bathroom to encourage her, she got a star for every poo. so the more times she went the sooner she did it 20 times'on the trot'. The prize was her first Barbie. It worked for us.
Good luck

rummum · 01/02/2006 19:10

I second the glycerine suppositries.. they are really small like bullets made of jelly...
They work with about 15 minutes.. you can't help but go

you can buy them over the counter for infants....

Original poster
wimbledon · 01/02/2006 20:35

Thanks for all your help. DD has been on Tuesday night and again tonight and things are definitely getting softer!!!!
What a relief. She is not crying as much now.
Will keep all your suggestions in mind for next time.

OP posts:
dinny · 01/02/2006 20:43

is that the first time she's been constipated, W?

Original poster
wimbledon · 07/02/2006 15:53

Dinny, Yes it is in the sense of it being this bad. She has gone a few days before now but I think it has all been linked to potty training. She is going very regulaly now.

OP posts:
bundle · 07/02/2006 16:04

dd2 had two kiwi fruit yesterday..shot straight through her

madmelanie · 08/02/2006 16:30

My 3 year old has been constipated for about 3 weeks now been on lactulose(messy job) for a week. Not much luck. Can anyone suggest anything else that can help as childs bum getting very sore.

Original poster
wimbledon · 14/02/2006 17:00

Madmelanie, keep going on the lactulose and up the doseage by 5ml a day until it starts to get things moving. It can't harm them. Also cut out banana's and bread if you can.
I recommend figs as they are high in fibre and a good healthy snack.
Failing that go back to the old wifes tales and put a very small piece of soap up dd's bum. It only needs to be a tiny bit but acts as a laxative.
All this put together worked for my dd so good luck!!!!

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 14/02/2006 17:05

Yes take her to the doc, mine got referred to a paed for this at about 2yo, she has been on movicol ever since which has done the trick but it takes a long time to come off again, you have to gradually cut down or the problem reappears.

Ask for a referral

madmelanie · 21/02/2006 20:55

thanks for your message trying lactlose 5mls and also tryed senna.(very slow progress) he now has very sore bum keep putting cream on put he is not letting me near him.Also tryed laxatives,fruit everything still no progress.Dont know when it will end.Any suggests all welcome.

dinny · 21/02/2006 20:58

have you take him to GP, MM?

Original poster
wimbledon · 22/02/2006 12:38

Although I hate to say it, but I think you should be considering the doctors now. Its been well over a month and it will become harmful with all the toxins if it doesn't come out soon. His tummy must be really hard so only thing would be to go for aromotherapy and hermal type things. Try Holland and Barratt. Lintel Seeds, I have heard, srinkled on Weetabix or in youghurt are supposed to work.
Good luck XXX

OP posts:
spub · 22/02/2006 13:54

Agree with Countess Dracula. My 3 yo dd was hospitalised due to chronic constipation and faecal impaction (misdiagnosed 7 times by my GP..Grrr) and is now on a Movicol regime which has helped hugely. She's a different child.
I would certainly take this further and BTW - don't be fooled as I was by what may look like d'rea - this can simply be the watery stuff that has managed to force itself past a huge blockage in the colon.
Don't wan't to scare you but it's definitely worth getting it checked out.

JMo · 22/02/2006 14:59

I agree with spuh. My 21mth old ended up in hospital recently with exactly the same thing - movicol was prescribed and now she's a lot better. It was awful going to hospital though and she's still quite traumatised by the experience so go to the Dr's to avoid similiar problems!

madmelanie · 22/02/2006 15:03

have tryed moviocol gave him really bad stomach pains is that normal. going to docs again 2morrow dont supose he will do anything. All he keeps saying that he is normal(is he).Going to ask to go private because he cant keep this up he is in so much pain now.

CountessDracula · 22/02/2006 15:05

You shouldn't ahve to go private, ask for an urgent nhs referral. It is clearly not normal.

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