Natural Remedies for a Chronically Constipated 6 Year Old

This may sound crazy, but I feed my little one olives on a regular basis to keep him from getting backed up. It really does help him.

LOTS of water and physical exercise, both help to keep things moving through his system so he can go. Fiber can actually cause constipation if he keeps taking it in and enough water isn't taken in with it, it can stay stuck in his colon, so to speak, and can cause serious problems. And Miralax needs water to work.

My daughter has the same issue. Here is what I've learned: if he is eating that much fiber he probably isn't getting enough water. Water, water, water. Fiber needs a lot of water to be utilized. Miralax isn't a laxative, there are no known side effects for long term use. Not saying to keep using it if you aren't comfortable with it, but I've had 3 doctors tell me it is safe as it isn't a laxative. It just pushes water into the intestines, which means that more water intake is needed. We have done additional testing via bloodwork to check for some more common underlying issues and the bloodwork came back just fine. We'll probably do more testing in the next few weeks if her constipation continues as it does cause her a lot of discomfort and pain. We were told it could be irritable bowel syndrome (this doesn't always cause diarrhea) that we have to learn to manage.

Did the dr give you any ideas for why this is happening? It sounds like that would be more the way to go. He may have some food allergys that is causing this.

Have you tried the good old-fashioned remedy... prunes?

I've had good luck with ground flax seed. Just a tablespoon or two per day in a bowl of cereal.

Also, make sure he's drinking plenty of water.

First, Miralax isn't a laxative. It's okay to use long term, and it's been pretty well studied. If that works, you might consider continuing it's use.

It sounds to me like he's getting too much fiber. Adding excessive bulk to the stool can cause constipation, especially if he's not getting enough water. My suggestion there is to measure out that 8 glasses of water a day...that's 64 ounces. People think they drink enough water, but if you show them a juice bottle full of water they'll say "Oh, I don't drink THAT much!" It's a lot, honestly.

Honestly, though, sounds like too much. If he eats a ton of veggies and fruit, AND takes a fiber supplement...well, I think that's probably what's causing it.

Try just the diet, coupled with lots of water, for awhile. Add prunes, prune juice, etc, if you want something else to try! Cut back on dairy, bananas, rice products, etc.

You can give him Mineral Oil. It is completely natural. Or Prunes or prune juice

If you've been doing this for 8 months, you don't have a solution right now.

You need a better fiber product, or a better children's supplement, or both. I have worked with a ton of kids (and adults) with this problem. Please message me for more info. A healthy colon is the highway to health, so many diseases start there. The additional problem is, if he is constipated and perhaps has a blockage, he's not absorbing nutrients from the food you feed him. So the problem may be getting worse inside without you knowing it.

Not all fiber products are created equal - if he's not getting results (and it doesn't seem that he is), then you need to get even more serious. Most doctors have not had any nutrition courses, by the way, so they aren't really trained to deal with it other than to throw a few drugs at it.

IS he getting enough water.... Water is what gasoline is to a car.. it makes it go :) ... try and increase his water intake and see if that does the trick... you can have fiber and mirilax, etc.. etc.. but if you don't have a good amount of water to help push it along, those things aren't quite as effective.
Additionally, if your son has a lot of dairy that can definitely constipate.. in this day and age where everywhere is pushing calcium, I think people are OVER consuming everything from milk , cheese and yogurt...
it's no wonder that people are so full of it :):)

good luck

Popcorn, prunes, raisins, Yogurt with Probotics..

http://blessedmom.hubpages.com/hub/Home-remedies-for-cons....

But it could be he has a major food allergy

No banana's or other fruits that are super super constipating. A nutritionist might have some good ideas for you. I'd cut out the fiber supplement, it could easily be the whole cause of this issue.

Take him to a chiropracter that specializes in pediatrics. My daughter had a problem with pooping in the toliet and would hold it for days and when she really had to go it was a lot of pain and tears. The chiro did some adjustments and now she has no problems. Goes like clockwork and everyone is much happier. Miralax has never been FDA approved for use in children, it's not recommended to give more than 7 days in adults and it doesn't fix the long term problem. Here's a good article
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/us/miralax-a-popular-cu...

You have good answers, all of them.
I don't blame you for not wanting to use the miralax all the time bc whatever you continously use the body begins to use as a crutch and then cannot function naturally without it, even if the product used is natural. In the long run it'll cause some pretty terrific problems

If you try the suggestions given and they don't work you can use this remedy: [there are two ways to use this depending how much it's needed and such]

--Pure, unfiltered, cold pressed Castor Oil massaged into the lower abdomen usually works. Leave it on and then after he has a bowel movement was it off with warm water and soap. It usually comes off, but if it doesn't use a little baking soda with the soap and water. I've always found it came off pretty easy, some people claim they need to add the soda.

It may take a little while but I've seen it work in a matter of minutes. It must be cold pressed etc. google Home Health products to get it or see if your natural food store has it, a lot of them do.

--If it doesn't work he may need Castor Oil Packs Therapy (which is used for many things and is almost like a miracle oil. Takes away pain, helps to cure vein problems, back problems, psoraisis, it can actually cure many things when used properly and consistently) It's sticky but it is a life saver for many things. It cured my psoraisis which was awfully spread and very bad, it was the only thing that cured it. I used it 3times a day for 6wks and it has never come back, others have been cured too of this and other things too.

--Castor Oil Packs: you will need:

Natural, undyed wool flannel square (Home Health product)
Pure, unfilter, cold pressed Castor Oil
Heating Pad
Towels
Plastic sheeting/flat bags (optional)

Soak the wool flannel with the oil (pour into bowl and put cloth in)
Let the flannel get completely saturated and place it over the area you need it (abdomen)
Place towel or plastic and then towel over the flannel (some people use plastic because the oil can stain) and then a heating pad over this. Start it on low and gradually raise the temp if needed. You want the oil to get warm enough to soak deep into the body.
Leave it on for 1/2 hour to 1 hour Do Not Exceed 1 hour

It will draw up any toxins from the body and at the same time feed the organs. Be sure to wash it off. Google Edgar Caycee castor oil remedies for further research.

I'd try the other remedies first like the prunes or flax seed, maybe mix some flax seed in with his oatmeal. Be sure he gets whole grains. He may be gluten senstive or intolerant or have allergies to certain foods. There is a good chance of one or both of these if he has a good diet as you've said. Gluten senstivity can not only cause this but can also cause allergies.

I know your little guy is miserable when he has this. I hope it he's well soon and completely healed of this.

p.s. of course you know to NEVER take castor oil internally.
p.s.s. taking mineral oil is very dangerous, it can cause damage when taken with any regularity and it depletes the body of vitamin A, D, E, and others. It is a petroleum product and not meant for the body. Look it up. (don't want to interfere with anyone's answers - people do what the want, but I thought I'd better tell you this)

Hydration all day (water), fruit juice with a teaspoon of mineral oil every other day you may want to ask the Dr. about it but this is what I did for mine wasn't for long term but helped so much younger than 6 yrs old at the time.No effects from use only did it for a few weeks once a day.Is he constipated or a poop holder?

Water and fruit like blueberries and prunes and raisins. No bananas and see if cutting out the fiber supplement helps. If he's eating a ton of fruit and veg why does he need it?

Hi
Prune Juice every morning or before he goes to sleep at night, about a small dixie cup size should do the job.

Also metamucil also helps---maybe a glass full at night before he goes to sleep; so that he's ready to go when he wakes up.

Stay away from White Rice as it is too binding whereas Brown Rice has not been striped of its bran outer layer. Raisins, large dried fruit etc. Most cheese is also binding so stay away from lots of cheese or Pizza. Whole grains may also help.

Also try and stay away from gummy or chewy treats as they can also be binding. Oh last Homemade Oatmeal cookies with lots of raisins may be a decent treat that will help soften things up in there and make it easier.

You could try ground flax seed mixed in chocolate milk or chocolate Ovaltine, or in smoothies. Good luck!

Too much fiber can cause constipation...

It's my understanding that Miralax is not a laxative, just a stool natural stool softner.

Increase his water intake. Make sure he is drinking at least 2 - 4 glasses of water. Also have him try some cottage cheese and/or Activia yogurt. Activia helps clean out your system.