any fast remedies for constipation for 5 year old?

[hatwoman]

she's had fruit, veg and apricots yesterday and today but the poor thing is in quite a state tonight. it's obviously impacted, or whatever the term is, with (sorry if tmi) dribbly bits. she keeps wanting to go then just not able. been on and off the loo for about half an hour now. dh is going to get her some medecine on his way home, and depending on how things go I'll probably take her to the docs - but is there anything I can do now?

lots of pure orange juice....prunes cant really think of anything else

rub her tummy - clockwise circular movements

prune juice, warm bath

she is probably anxious about going now which won't help

orange juice was rejected for having bits in...and yes she's all stressed about it now. I think I'm just going to get her in to bed. poor thing.

Agree. Warm bath and massage her lower tummy with soapy hand. Make sure she drinks lots of water too.

thanks all - she's been inbetween the bath and the loo for half an hour. I wonder why she gets it. she has a reasonable diet. not perfect but far from rubbish

Tomorrow give her senacot or syrup of figs.

If it's really imapcted and will take more than a day to clear maybe run to Boots and get her some lactulose. this draws water into the stool and softens it, however it won't actually make her go, for that you'll need a gentle laxative like senacot etc.

If it's drastic action you need and you're feeling brave then you buy a 2g glycerine supposity. You need to insert it up as far as you can. You'll feel the poo and you need to try and get it up past that a bit so it breaks down the end part of the stoola nd it'll get the rest going. It's virtually instant and will work for sure.

High fibre crackerbreads like Scan Bran and dark ryvitta are very effective - but dull to eat! Could try adding cottage cheese and jam!

If it's really an ongoing thing then you may want to think about Movicol. It's very gentle and is a powder you add to a drink. Can use half a sachet a day or as many as you like. It's a great thing and many of us mums with children with SN's whose children suffer from constipation worship the stuff. Get it prescription form quacks. Use it for a few months then stop if you like and go back to it every time you think it's starting again.

Try to give her a diet that is high in fibre but not too high as this can have opp effect. For example oats are still high in fibre but gentler on the bowel. So porridge is the perfect start to the day. Green veg, fruit with skins such as plums, nectarines, grapes. Avoid apples, bananas. Prune yoghurts are a good way to get prunes into her or make your own prune juice frozen lollies.

thanks again. TC you seem to know your onions. as it were . hadn;t realised apples and bananas were something to avoid - that's a key component in her fruit intake. she likes porridge and loves granola so I'll keep that on the breakfast menu.

it's happened a few times now - but tonight seemed particularly bad. she's calm now and in bed, but still hasn't poo-ed.

(putting paranoid hat on, don;t wear it much, but reach for it occasionally) is it always a diet thing? ie should I get the senekot, prune juice, oats and plums and not worry. or can it have other causes? ie is it worth going to the docs to get her checked over?

btw TC I haven't seen you around for yonks. are you and family well? how old are the los now? (you are a part of mn folklore to me, I remember you posting lovely things about Lottie when I was just a newbie...)