Constipated child

[Notimeforaname]

Hi all,(not a poo troll!!😣)
7 year old constipated,has happened on and off for a few years(toilet training was a little stressful for them to begin with when it came to bowel movements but that seemed to resolve itself quickly) Recently there was a little blood after wiping.
Doctor recommended a laxative for children.

Has anyone had any experience with this and their little ones and if so, apart from adding more fibre,fruit water etc if the child already has a very healthy diet,is there anything else you would do/try first before using the laxative?
Can anything else other than diet be the cause?

Just use the medication. Some children just have sluggish bowels. Were you given Movicol? If so it’s just a harmless stool softener. Don’t be afraid of using meds, especially if your child has a fissure (and it sounds like they do).

Yes, I used these when my child was 3. He suddenly started being afraid of going to the toilet and was withholding. Doctor thought he’d had a painful experience and suggested this. I sss concerned but they are pretty gentle and just softened everything. We used them for a week or so but they restarted them if ever there was a problem.

I'd say use the medication and get him cleared out as he'll have a pile of poo to clear. At the same time make sure they're getting enough water and look at the diet. But right now focus on clearing the backlog.

We were given a high dose of movicol which worker very quickly and we rapidly had to reduce the dose so beware it can get very loose first before settling

Squatty potty, or anything to raise their feet up whilst sitting on the loo- bricks, large tins, phone books. I use a small stool (no pun intended), but basically anything that raises the feet up. It makes the bowel straighten out. A 'western' toilet seat makes the bowel go into an S shape, whereas more of a squatting, 'Asian' positiong straightens it out. It makes it FAR easier to poo. I had terrible constipation when pregnant, and it really helps.

Thanks all! It's not my child but parent is refusing the medication

Who's child is it?

A child I take care of.

A child you take care of? Not your decision then surely?

God no. Not my decision at all! Mum had been asking me for advice as didn't want to do the medication. And I was thinking about it as I do care for the family...

Why on earth would the parent refuse the medication? It's not crack. It's really standard stuff and obviously has to be mild enough for kids

Sparklfairy
I'm thinking the same thing.
But I obviously can't and wouldn't dream of saying anything to the parents about what they give their children!
So I thought I might find some extra tips or advice here that I could pass on since they're sure they only want to play around with diet

I think the key thing is
It's a commonly given medication so it is safe
Long term constipation can affect continence

SleepingStandingUp I absolutely agree with you. It's not my position to tell the parents to take medication. They seem to be fixated only on diet. But dont seen sure of what they want to do other than water,fibre,fruit etc. I cant think of anything myself if I'm being honest. But mumsnet usually always knows the answer or has wonderful,varied advice.

I know it's not my child but I have been asked my advice (I did initially ask if the doctor prescribed anything,was told yes but it wasn't something they wanted to do)but it's not nice to see a child in pain and discomfort and not be able to do anything for them.

Well I think they're being shitty parents frankly.
Do they also refuse calpol for a headache and antibiotics for an infection?

When I was a child it was stewed prunes or similar, orange juice. Hot coffee can also act as a laxative but don't know of caffeine free has same effect given his age.

I had constipation once, tried it all and nothing worked. Was frigging agony. It's really awful to just refuse medication when he's in pain

The parent has been given medication to help their child ffs. How bloody cruel of them not to give it.
They need to take it THEN sort the diet.
Poor kid.

Well I think they're being shitty parents frankly.
Do they also refuse calpol for a headache and antibiotics for an infection?
Theyre fine with calpol etc. And child has been on antibiotics before. I just cant work it out.
Parents are a little controlling in general,in my view but have never noticed any stress or anything around medication before.
I dont feel comfortable enough to keep stressing the medication to the mum though.

Whatsnewpussyhat
Yes I feel it is cruel but am in an awkward position. Child is aware they need to drink more water and have 'better foods' child also said after their trip to the doctors that 'mummy didn't like somthing in the medicine so were doing new food' I was afraid to post too much info before in case I was spotted.
I have recommended mumsnet to the parents several times in the past so I'm not sure if they are on here or not...

Is he in a hood toileting routine? Best thing to do (apart from taking the medicine!) is to get him to sit on the toilet 15 minutes after he’s eaten every meal. He needs to sit on the toilet with no distractions (ie iPad etc) with his feet on a stool so he is sitting in the right position. Blowing bubbles is a helpful thing to do if he’s happy to do so. Make sure he has the opportunity to exercise and drink plenty of water as these things will help too

Sorry hood=good!

Thanks a lot ArtyFartyQueen when they were younger we would tell poo stories and sing poo songs whilst hanging around waiting for it to happen 😅All very amusing to child.

I'm very frustrated they wont just give the stuff and relieve the child of the pain.

Being 7 now they are happier to sit in the bathroom alone but the problem isn't getting better obviously. The blood really bothered me. As its gotten that bad.

Needs to get his thyroid checked. Would the parents at least do that?

Can you help a diary of food, liquid and poo chart using Bristol scale be kept? If nothing's passed for a long time fecal impaction can happen which can even need hospital treatment - never a good thing and right now who would risk needing hospital care?

I have a similar age child with constipation problems since premature birth.
I'm having trouble with copying links but Google ERIC (children's bowel and bladder charity) and the poo nurses who are brilliant, and Bristol poo chart.

I can understand wanting to avoid medication, if you really care about this child I'd urge you to read up the subject and encourage the parents to become really well informed asap. They may realise that the medication offered is milder than they fear and also become more aware of the problems that need avoiding.

Once a child's bowel gets really stretched it can take a very very long time for it to completely recover.

It can take a long time to get over the fear of pain associated with toileting - psychological effects are really worth avoiding.

The embarrassment from soiling at school at this age can have major consequences!

Apologies for 4am brain, couldn't ignore.

Thank you so much BeanWriting !! Reading up on all of that now!
It's scary reading about what fecal impaction can do