Chronic Constipation

My eldest son, 3 years old, has chronic constipation. He can not pup on his own, although I gave him lots of veggie, papaya, apple, prune (pitted prune and its juice), etc2. I also tried to change his formula to many other brands, but it didn't help. I also tried soya milk, fresh milk, UHT milk, but nothing can make him pup. Seems he is always constipated. I brought him to many paediatrician, they prescribed duphalac (stool softener), initially it worked but now it didn't. Then the paed gave senokot (other type of laxative), now it didn't work again. Finally I need to give him 'dulcolax suppository' every 3- 4 days. I know this would make him traumatize, but I don't know what else I can do to help him pass motion normally. It is very painful for me looking at him when he is constipated. Anyone can help me? Thanks in advance

Is he drinking lots of water? Is he getting too much iron in his vitamins? Does he get lots of exercise? Those three things can also affect pooping. I feel sorry for him and you! Is his stool hard or just infrequent?

He drinks plenty of water everyday, in the form of plain water, fruit juice, 2 glass of milk (diluted) and soup. Sometimes I feel bad that I keep asking him to drink water because I am worry that he would feel bloated. Few months back, I monitored his daily liquid intake (from water and 2 glass of milk), every day he drinks about 1300 - 1500 ml. I didn't give him any vitamins or supplements, he eats balance diets and I am also afraid that vitamins can caused him more constipated. I assumed he has lots of exercise too, he is very active boy, he keeps moving, running around, jumping, dancing, etc - just like other toddlers at his age. I also gave him lots of veggie until few months back his palms and finger nails are yellowish - paediatrician said it was a sign of carotenemia, and he asked me to cut down his veggie intake, esp carrot, pumpkin, etc. I also tried to ask my son sit on his potty at the same time everyday, just to train him to have regular bowel movement - but this also didn't help his constipation. His stool is hard, he tried to push but nothing come out. Sometimes he pushed very hard until he perspired all over his body. If I introduce new food that can help him to pass motion, let say 'pitted prunes", initially he would pass soft stool, after few days or a week his stomach became 'resistance' again and back to his usual constipated style. Sometimes I think maybe he is scared to pass motion, because he had have many times passing hard stool that make him feel painful. I observed when he felt the urge, he would stand with his legs straighten (and close) - I wonder maybe he squeezed the stool in insted of pushed it out. If I asked him to sit on his potty or his toilet sit, he could not pass motion (I don't know why). If I let him stand and didn't disturb him, he only smeared his underwear or diaper with some stains. If I gave 'dulcolax suppository' (glicerin suppository doesn't help him), he would pass motion although he was standing. Anyone has the same experience with me? Anyone can give me any suggestions? I am really at my wit end. Today I am going to bring him to another paediatrician that specialize in gastoenterology, but I am quite sceptical that the paed would prescribe other type of laxative, just like many other paediatricians that we went before. Please help me with any advice or suggestions that anyone can think of. Thank you very much :))

Cinnsim,


Sorry to hear about your son. I know how you feel. My daughter who is 17 months used to have terrible constipation even though she drank lots of liquids ate prunes and lots of veg. I find that other than papaya and pear which seems to help. I also noticed that when she wasn't taking enough oils that also contributed to her constipation. I cook a lot of congee which requires no oil in the cooking and use lean meat, so what I do is add some flax seed oil in the congee before I serve. I noticed that whenever I gave her salmon, her poo was much better on those days. Maybe you can try that.

Janey, thanks a lot for your advice.


Btw, what is flax seed oil? I have read somewhere about adding oil to ease constipation, but never tried this before. Definitely I will try this, maybe I can add into the soup. Can I use olive oil? Tentatively how much do I need to add? Thanks again Janey.

Try doing a google search with this constipation with child


I found LOTS of good information there.


What about bran? Whole wheat/whole meal breads?


Good luck with the new doctor.

Flax seed is also known as linseed. You can use olive oil too. I sometimes use that too. I usually add about 1 teaspoon each for lunch and dinner. I really hope this helps your son.

Hi again. Thanks for the great advice. Will try them to my son. I have never try the flax seed oil, massage and bran. He took whole meal bread and prune juice before, but no effect on him.


Ruth, do I need to cook the bran? Or I just sprinkle it on my son's food, let say his morning breakfast cereal?


Yesterday I went to the gastoenterology paediatrician. She did gave me another type of laxative. But after she checked my son, she said that there is no any organic problem with his digestion. She suspected that my son is afraid of passing motion, and unconciously witholding the stool. This makes the stool becomes harder and difficult to pass, and causes his chronic constipation. The doctor suggest me try to teach my son not to afraid and reward him if he can pass motion. Thinking of buying some children books that teach about poo-poo (hope can find one with his favourite character, Elmo and the sesame street gang) or any DVD about this.


Anyone has the same experience with me, has a child who is afraid to pass motion? What can be done to teach him not to afraid?

Hi...a very offbeat suggestion...u r obviusoly doing ll u can about his eating...try this one out...while he is sitting on his pot either the kiddyone or the big pot...give him something to do..his fav book or puzzle, if he likes drawing then a paper and color pens...basically whatever he likes which would take his mind off the fact that it is going to be a painful thing doing poo-poo...he might get engrossed in doing his fav thing and nature will take it course in pushing it out since theres nothing really wrong with his system..


another thing....when he tell us that he needs to do poo-poo, take a cotton ball and apply some oil..any oil in his bum..just at the opening...this is definitely not like inserting a laxative but since that area becomes soft and smooth with the oil, it will help him pass tha stool without causing much pain and abrasion and it will come out smoothly....it helped my daughter when she was around 2...