constipation

We have some issues with constipation with my boys – one more than the other. Aside from incorporating items into their diet which can difficult at times (sometimes they will eat pears, sometimes they wont) I would like to see if there is some sort of supplement I can give them on a daily basis to prevent the problem vs treating once we get to the point of pain. They don’t drink juice so that’s not an option.

 

Myralax has worked for us in the past. The good thing about it is that it has no flavor so you can mix it with milk, juice, or even water. Plus it doesn't have the yucky side effects as other laxatives we have used. Good Luck!!

 

Nate has chronic constipation, and my ped (and everything I've read) really stresses keeping on top of constipation so that it doesn't become a behavioral issue. My nephew has had *severe* constipation since he was an infant, and SIL has had him on double the adult dose of Miralax since he was about 1 year old!

I wanted to try other dietary things before I tried Miralax, and have had luck with the following:

Plumsmart (though you say your LOs don't drink juice, so this might not be an option). I dilute it with water (about 1 part juice to 4 parts water).
Benefiber - I add this to the aforementioned Plumsmart, milk, cereal, yogurt, and I bake with it!
Flax seed oil - this helps tremendously but it's absolutely vile tasting so I have to hide it. I can add a few drops to the juice mixture, a few drops to morning milk (with a few teaspoons of Carnation Instant Breakfast Mix to disguise the taste), a few drops to yogurt, etc. to try to get to about 1 tsp per day.
Whole grain breads - you have to look at the label and see what the fiber content is.
Baking treats (cookies, granola bars, etc.) with things like cut up dried prunes instead of raisins
Using whole wheat white flour in baked goods instead of all-purpose flour
Adding flax seed meal to baked goods

If these don't work for you, definitely look into the Miralax (ask your ped for dosage info because the label only give dosage for 6 years old and up).

 

We add oatmeal to yogurt to help with constipation. We also for awhile gave the kids a "prune candy" with dinner. My daughter had horrible problems with constipation and somehow we convinced her prunes (the small ones) were candy and they ate those for awhile.

 

Another Miralax vote here.

 

I like the idea of benefiber or something else that is natural with no taste that I could add to milk. I will call the ped and see about dosage for that and miralax in case the benefiber doesnt work.

 

Another vote for Miralax. Even as a baby, Jake had stomach issues and it has gotten worse the older he gets. The worst was about 1 1/2 months ago when he was having a BM every 4-5 days. I now add 1/2 cap of miralax with his morning milk. I've told him it's special milk and make a big production out of it and will even let him stir.

He also loves oatmeal and since adding that back in, I only need to give him the miralax every other day and he's having a BM every 1-2 days.

 

Add me to the Miralax vote count.

We did Miralax for DD in the past. We used it consistently for about 4-6 months and now we don't use it at all. Our ped. said around this age you can try and manipulate their diet all you want and it just doesn't work...when you have a routine/chronic constipation issues. We were trying the diet manipulation approach first, as I was reluctant to start her on something. Well, the ped. was right. It didn't work. We started her on Miralax and it was smooth sailing from there. I probably would have never gotten her PT if it wasn't for that.

 

I know several people who have used the miralax as well.

DS has struggled and we combat that by eating fruit. Except for Bananas and Apples most fruit has enough natural fiber to keep you regular. We love fresh fruit at our house and eat it 2-3 meals a day and often for a snack. I also rarely let him eat applesause, cheese, bananas, too much starch. We eat grapes, peaches, cantalope, honeydew, watermelon, pears, tomatoes, mangos, apricots, plums- all as staples and others on occasion. Might be worth a try to eat more fruit.

 

I totally agree! Both my kids were in the same boat and Miralax works like a charm.

 

I would like to suggestion an Home Remedy

1/2 teaspoon of honey (raw meaning organic)
1/3 teaspoon of lemon juice
8 ounce cup or bottle however your LO take it.

Give it to them in the morning when they wake up and you should have a smooth delivery later on. lol

This works for my 3 yr old. Havent had any problems with the twins. But I hope with all the suggestion you find one that works.

Honey is good because honey is easily digested by the most sensitive stomachs, despite its high acid content. It helps kidneys and intestines to function better. Hence honey is beneficial for maintaining a healthy digestive system as well as combating illnesses such as constipation.

Lemon juice is good for them also because the lemon has antiseptic properties, preventing sepsis. It is good source of vitamin C, an important ingredient for healthy gums, absorption of iron, antioxidant and many other functions.Heartburn, bloating and belching symptoms are relieved due to it’s digestive properties. If you drink lemon juice the bowels eliminate waste more efficiently, and constipation is better regulated. The lemon stimulates the liver and adds dissolving of uric acid.

Just some FYI