Constipation - Germantown,TN

Mirilax is a laxative that works by pulling more water into the bowel, making stools softer and stimulating the intestinal tract to produce a bowel movement.

It is safe for young children; in my ICU we've used on children as young as 10 months. It's also safe for long term use.

Benefiber may be another option for you, if you want to stay away from laxatives.

Increasing fruits like peaches, plums, grapes, and prunes will help. So will plenty of exercise - lots of running around.

You might try a little rectal stimulation, too, with a well-lubricated rectal thermometer - sometimes that will stimulate the urge for a bowel movement. We do that on my ICU a lot as well.

We had a similar problem. Try a fiber supplement for kids, like YummiBears by Hero. They're chewable gummi fiber supplements. Or add some Benefiber powder to his drinks. They can't taste it. Or just up his fruit intake as much as possible. If the constipation continues with additional fiber, please get him checked out. He could have some serious bowel issues.

From what I understand, miralax brings moisture into the stool and isn't a laxative (doesn't chemically force it out). raisins, grapes, prunes, dates, fig bars. Call your pedi and they might have more ideas for you. Good luck!

Poor little guy and poor mom :-(. Sorry you are going through this but constipation misery loves company!

My daughter, almost 3, has been the same way. My pediatrician recommended Miralax, and it does "doo" the job. As others explained, it't not a laxative and has no harsh chemicals. It just softens the stool to make it easier to go.

Usually works in one to two days, and then beware the floodgates!

I would definitely call your doc and get his/her opinion as well. You might want to mention the blood in the stool as well.

There is only so much we could do about diet, especially at this young-n-picky age :-)

Good luck!

First of all, the sugar in natural fruit juices shouldn't be making him hyper... atleast in moderation. If he will eat more/other fruits, can't hurt to give him more fruit. If not, I would give him some fruit juice. Try the V8 Fusion fruit/veggie juices. They are a combo of fruit and veggie juices and they make a blueberry one that seems to help my kids go. Pears/pear juice might also help. Fig Newtons, raisins will also get things moving. Will he eat yogurt? Maybe add fruit puree or flax seeds or something. If he is drinking whole milk, try decreasing the amount of ask the Dr. if you can move him to 1%. Whole milk is very constipating...

What you need to buy is Benefiber powder and put it in his favorite foods, he won't be able to taste it and it is natural fiber powder so it isn't a laxative. Please try that. Let us know what you did! I know your issue, my son was so bad with bowel movements at one point I had to give him an enima or take him to the ER. The Benefiber worked great!

Mineral oil will also work.

Blueberries and hydration help my son with similar issues. I make him blueberry bran muffins and put blueberries in his oatmeal in the mornings. I even serve him small bowls of frozen blueberries as a snack. He recently started eating green beans, too, so we're getting pretty creative with the ways we serve them...again. (plain, raw or steamed, with hummus, mild salsa, in the shape of tree...) Plus, we offer him water in different water bottles/cups. The novelty of a different flip top on a new water bottle seems to encourage him to drink more. Good luck!

watch for signs of pain in case of anal fissure, in which case you will want to take any precaution to keep the stool soft until the tear heals.

Perhaps invest in a really good blender and make fruit smoothies. I make one for my kids most days so that if they fall off the spectrum of healthy eating the rest of the day, all is not lost. Also a great way to sneak in extra fiber all ground up like chia seeds.

Consider also a glycerol suppository if he goes too long between BM's. Its non laxative and can be good to move things along to prevent hard stools.