NSBR - need some mama help

[MamaBee]

I'm sorry if this is TMI for some...

My three year old son (will be four in a few weeks) is just having a heck of a time with constipation for the last 2 weeks. He can get some out, but he strains like you wouldn't believe and keeps telling me, "It hurts, mama." So I feel horrible that I just can't get this swung around... and I feel like I've tried everything... more fiber, more raw veggies, more bran and whole wheat, then less fiber (my step dad has a problem where too much fiber cause constipation), stool softners, pushing more liquids, warm baths, cutting out dairy, high fat, glycerine suppository, prunes, warm apple juice... I thought I had a winner with less fiber because we have two... uhm, messy uhm yeah... yesterday. Then tonight he is telling me it hurts and straining again. He is not potty training (a whole other issue - just not taking so we haven't been trying for months)... so it's not that he is "holding it" because of that...

Any ideas as to what I can try? I really do not want to do a saline enema... if I can help it... I've called the nurse and they are no help and since he doesn't have any other pain, seeing the doctor wasn't suggested. He doesn't have a fever and activity and eating has been normal. If this doesn't straighten out in the next day or two... I'm going to have to take him to the doctor, but I'm hoping that you lovely and brilliant ladies would have some ideas...

THANK YOU!!

[DawnMarch]

Have you tried Miralax? That's usually the pediatrician's laxative of choice for kids. My son has used it and it works pretty well although it's not always the complete answer for long-term constipation.

[MamaBee]

Originally Posted by DawnMarch

Have you tried Miralax? That's usually the pediatrician's laxative of choice for kids. My son has used it and it works pretty well although it's not always the complete answer for long-term constipation.

Does that have a flavor to it? I've only tried stool softener since they are non-addicting... and the one that I found at the store has such a sweet taste that I have to trick my son into drinking it and it is still a struggle...

[knlchevys]

Sorry for you! We drink pear juice when my kiddos have that problem. It sounds like you've tried lots of stuff though!

[MamaBee]

Originally Posted by knlchevys

Sorry for you! We drink pear juice when my kiddos have that problem. It sounds like you've tried lots of stuff though!

Hmm... I'll have to give that a try, thanks! In the past all I had to do was give him one of those Fiber One Bar with a prune chaser and he was good... but this time, none of my tricks are working.

[hollyxann]

My only child is a newborn so I don't have any experience advice but I know my mom always gave us prune juice or apple juice if we had bowel problems.

[deepounds]

Oh, Rebecca, I'm so sorry you're having this problem . . . all these newer moms have much better remedies than what I had to use for my son so many years ago, but he used to have that problem off and on as a child. When juice didn't work, we used a mild suppository laxative (per doctor's recommendation), which Bill hated (of course!), but it worked. Hope you don't have to resort to anything that he can't take by mouth . . . I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of you!!

[aly321]

I have heard that Miralax is the way to go. So sorry... such a sad thing when your kid is in pain and you don't know what to do. Poor little guy! Good luck sweetie!

[Paula]

Try giving him unsweetened applesauce. I have IBS and that always does the trick for me, and it was recommended by my doctor.

[MamaBee]

Originally Posted by hollyxann

My only child is a newborn so I don't have any experience advice but I know my mom always gave us prune juice or apple juice if we had bowel problems.

ha, ha... I got some prune juice for J... he took one sip and said, "yuck!" He doesn't know what he is missing...

[rach3975]

My peds recommended Miralax along with the iron supplements that my 4 year old is taking. We have a once a day powdered kind, but the peds had to give us the dosage because the bottle only tells the adult dosage. Hold on a second-I'll go taste it.

Okay, there's very little taste. A tiny bit chalky when I tried it straight from the bottle, but definitely not sweet. We've just started DS on it (like 2 days ago), and he doesn't notice when I mix it into his milk.