Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

Matthew is 19 months old and always had constipation problems. He no longer likes his prune juice and we aren't sure what else to do. The nurse at the pediatrician's office suggested mineral oil, but it states it should only be used a week or so at a time. We need something on a regular basis. Any ideas? Thanks so much!

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

My daughter had these problems, constipation has to be treated from both ends, orally and rectally. So, we used a chocolate laxative (ex-lax) and used glycerin enemas, you have ot clean it all out and it could take 2-3 weeks, speak with your doc about oral meds and rectal in conjunction with each other it has been a life saver for us and this was recommended by a well known GI specialist.

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

My daughter is 20 months and I just called the dr. on Thursday because she is having so many problems with constipation. He recommend Benafiber. It is a powdery substance that you put in there juice, water, milk or yogurt. I put it in her milk. They get one tablespoon a day. So far, so good. She has been going so much better within the last two days. She has had problems since she was an infant. I am so conscious about making sure she gets enough fiber and not a lot of dairy, but she still struggles. Hopefully this will work.

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

Does dairy add to constipation? I've noticed that since EMily is having yogurt with one meal a day she is having a harder time going.

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

I have been thinking so too. Lately Ryan will drink like 3 yogurts and have some cheese during the day and for a while he was going EVERY 6 DAYS!!

I have heard good things for the benefiber too.

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

I believe that dairy is binding. Let's play 20 questions...

Will Matthew eat oatmeal?
Apple juice?
Have you tried increasing liquids?
Are you potty training?
Could he be afraid of the potty?
Is he holding it in?
When he's going have you tried to get him to spread his legs out a bit more?
Is he's going in a pull up? have his squat instead of stand. Sometimes when they stand up, they clench their butt checks together, rather than push the correct way.

I'm not crazy about using a laxative or medicinal options unless it's absolutely necessary. I feel like once you start relying on something, the body loses the ability to work it out on its own.

Hope some of these ideas help! Good luck!

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

Thanks so much ladies. I will definitely check into the benefiber because he definitely needs some help.

I do think he is holding it in at times because it hurts so much. I can't even believe what comes out of him sometimes. Poor little guy. It's hard to change his diet since he is one of those picky eaters. He won't eat oatmeal anymore. He drinks apple juice, but it doesn't work well enough. He eats plenty of fruit and veggies. When he is going, he won't let you near him when he is in such pain. It's really sad. We try to get him to squat by putting toys near him that we know he might bend down to play with, but it doesn't work. This constipation has been a problem from day 1. I feel so terrible for him.

Thanks so much for the help!

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

Posted by mishy626

Thanks so much ladies. I will definitely check into the benefiber because he definitely needs some help.

I do think he is holding it in at times because it hurts so much. I can't even believe what comes out of him sometimes. Poor little guy. It's hard to change his diet since he is one of those picky eaters. He won't eat oatmeal anymore. He drinks apple juice, but it doesn't work well enough. He eats plenty of fruit and veggies. When he is going, he won't let you near him when he is in such pain. It's really sad. We try to get him to squat by putting toys near him that we know he might bend down to play with, but it doesn't work. This constipation has been a problem from day 1. I feel so terrible for him.

Thanks so much for the help!

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

Debbie, where can I get soy yogurt? What's the brand name? I will definitely give that a try, since he loves yogurt and also will give pear juice a try as well. Thanks!

Did anyone ever take there child to a GI dr for this issue? Should this be the next step? Thanks.

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

Posted by mishy626

Debbie, where can I get soy yogurt? What's the brand name? I will definitely give that a try, since he loves yogurt and also will give pear juice a try as well. Thanks!

Did anyone ever take there child to a GI dr for this issue? Should this be the next step? Thanks.

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

This is a really difficult issue for us right now. Claire is 16 months old but ever since we started solid food (6 months) she has been constipated or rather has had difficulty having bowel movements, meaning that she is in pain and struggling but it is 'normal' and not hard formed stool (sorry TMI).

We worked with her ped for months using apple/prune/pear juice, prunes, malt supex, little tummys laxative, glycerin suppositories, olive oil and nothing really resolved the problem. It is horrible to watch your child in pain. Just 2 months ago we started with a GI specialist, the most common problem is usually psychological withholding, where they had one or two painful experiences and now instead of pushing they hold it in, which then causes constipation and tummy aches. This is treated with exlax once a day, Claire has 1/2 a square a day and now goes regularly with much less problems. The theory is to do this for 3-4 months until they learn it is ok to go regularly without pain and hopefully wean them off it.

Unfortunately during the blood tests that were run, she had a positive for celiac disease, which consitpation is a beginning sign of, and we just had an endoscopy done to hopefully rule this out as it could be a false positive, I really dont think she has this, but we get the results today. Another option was hirshsprungs disease where part of the large intestine is missing nerve cells to move things along.

I hope this didn't scare you, I felt so lost dealing with her consitpation and have been so much more at ease knowing the different options and treatments. If he is really in pain I would go to a GI doctor just for their opinion. There is also a prescription medication, miralax, that can be prescribed if needed.

Also if you are really in a bad situation where he is in lots of pain I have found these to be a lifesaver. Please FM if you have any questions I could help with.

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

I only can find the soy yogurt at Stop and Shop. Stonyfield makes it. It comes in strawberry and peach. She LOVES them. Lately the stop and shop near me has been out of it. I usually can find it in the Holbrook stop and shop and the Farmingville one.

Re: Constipation problems in 19 month old. Help.

My cousin gives her son Benefiber too. He has the worst time going to the bathroom and this seems to help him.