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Original poster

Laxative for a 5yr old????

27 replies

fireflyfairy2 · 28/05/2007 19:51

My dd is 5.5yrs old & suffers badly from constipation

The doc give me lactulose a few months ago to get her moving, but it did her no good.

Now she has another bad bout of constipation & is rubbing her tummy & saying she is sore but can't go.

Can I give her anything??

OP posts:
Haribosmum · 28/05/2007 19:52

Syrup of figs or prune juice? I don't know really...

WigWamBam · 28/05/2007 20:00

She can have Califig - it's not too strong and seems to work pretty well.

If the Lactulose isn't working, go back to the GP and see if he can give her anything else - Movicol seems to be recommended quite often.

juuule · 28/05/2007 20:02

Movicol has worked very well for us.

luczluutoo · 28/05/2007 20:13

Agree on Movicol,DS has been on it for over 2 yrs now (hes 4.5),works a treat!

DimpledThighs · 28/05/2007 20:14

dried apricots and a glass of orange juice?

Arriety · 28/05/2007 20:17

You could ask your doctor about Fybogel.
Just looked on a box and it says dosages for 12-adult, 6- 12 and for unders 6s it also says to use on medical advice. When I was prescribed it whilst pregnant the doctor said a sachet was the equivalent of 3 weetabix.

Arriety · 28/05/2007 20:18

Prune juice is also very effective but don't do what I did and drink loads cos it tastes so nice!

Original poster
fireflyfairy2 · 28/05/2007 21:16

I give her prunes tonight with custard & she had some apricots in her lunch.

She has pure orange juice [just when having bouts of constipation] with breakfast.

Her diet is good.

She has weetabix & OJ for b/fast.

Packed lunch was 2 slices of bread with ham, a pepperami, about 4 dried apricots, a yoghurt & an apple.

Dinner was 2 boiled potatoes, a roastie, chicken, peas & gravy. Custard & prunes.

I don't think her diet is too bad, but it must be something to make her bunged up all the time?

I actually took her to the doc to put my own mind at rest as she had been complaining of tummy ache all the time. Then after examining her the doc said she was very bunged up & give me lactulose. The bottle is now done as I give her some tonight before bed. If she doesn't start moving soon I will go back to doc & ask about the Movicol or Fybogel

Thanks

OP posts:
purpleduck · 28/05/2007 21:51

try some kids acidophilus - excellent for healthy bowels. You can get it at any good health food store

Arriety · 28/05/2007 21:53

Also make sure she is drinking loads of water. I am prone to constipation (tmi sorry!) at times and even if my diet is ok if I am dehydrated I will get bunged up.

luczluutoo · 28/05/2007 21:57

Too much milk seems to make my sons constipation worse,unsure why though..I water down all fruit juice too,he only drinks apple juice though..licquorice helps too!

Original poster
fireflyfairy2 · 28/05/2007 22:06

Will go to town tomorrow & look in the health shop. We have a holland & Barrett though the sales staff know shit all about anything, so will go to the other health shop!

She possibly doesn't drink enough, though she takes her smoothie in lunch & a bottle of water for break, but half days she doesn't even drink the water.

she deffo doesn't get too much milk, she only has it on her weetabix, then whatever size of glass of milk she takes at school.

Poor wee thing, she's up & down like a yoyo now. She's just came & said "mam I think my bum wants to poo this time", then walked past & said "It didn't"

OP posts:
lisad123 · 28/05/2007 22:14

we struggled with DD for 4 years. Tried all sorts and often got to the point of having to put something up there to get things moving
One trick we did learn was bubbles!! its impossible to "hold" a poo and blow bubbles at the same time
Good luck

Oh and movical does work well.

kittylette · 28/05/2007 22:15

lactulose solution

Original poster
fireflyfairy2 · 28/05/2007 22:15

Hi Lisa [cool name ]

Do you mean blow bubbles on the loo?

Fab! Anything's worth a try!

I am potty training ds, he has the opposite problem, he'll freely let rip anywhere, including his damn trousers!!

OP posts:
Original poster
fireflyfairy2 · 28/05/2007 22:16

We've tried lactulose Kitty It doesn't seem to do much for the poor love.

OP posts:
lisad123 · 28/05/2007 22:17

yes did mean sit on loo and blow bubbles
Thanks i like my name too

Rhubarb · 28/05/2007 22:18

Too much fruit will just bung her up.

You can get suppositries that soften the poo, not sure if they do it for kids though.

Will you let her poo in the bath? If it hurts coming out the warm water will often soothe the pain. Or press a hot water bottle on her tummy.

luczluutoo · 28/05/2007 22:25

If you get no luck at gp,ask to be referred to the hospital-they usually have a dedicated "constipation" nurse.Lactulose didn't do anything for my ds.....had to have a massive dose of movicol to get him moving to start with and then regular doses to keep him moving,it helped having the nurse call every month to keep check and offer advice.

Original poster
fireflyfairy2 · 28/05/2007 22:26

Rhubarb, at the minute I will let her poo wherever she wants as long as she is comfortable.

She is laying in her bed now trying to sleep but rubbing her tummy & moaning

To think I had thought she was pretending for weeks before I took her to the doctor I thought she just didn't want to go to sleep/school

OP posts:
cat64 · 28/05/2007 22:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Rhubarb · 28/05/2007 22:54

Does she have a hot water bottle atm? Would she allow you to put a nappy on her so that if she needs to she can poo in her sleep? I think my sister went through this with her dd, I'll see if she has any advice.

Original poster
fireflyfairy2 · 28/05/2007 23:28

Hi all, thanks for the advice Cat & rhubarb.

She has finally fell asleep [she is in bed from 7.30pm]

I will make a doc appointment soon & take her back.

I doubt very much if she will let me put a nappy on her

OP posts:
NoBiggy · 28/05/2007 23:59

My niece had years of constipation, the breakthrough was using lactulose and a senna laxative together (both prescribed).

And as my mw said to me, "drink and drink and drink" (get a big glass, pint in my case, and drink the whole thing, then fill it up again).

nally · 29/05/2007 00:19

would love to know what works. all of our dc have had this prob. dd1 and ds seem to be past that now. little dd2 has had some trouble the last few weeks, but at 8 months there is not much that i can give her medicinally. she does like prune juice though, so that can help.