Seeking Moms Advice - West New York,NJ

Hi J.,

I am a licensed childcare provider and find that giving children 2 vegetables with their meals (spinach & broccoli (steamed)) assists in alleviating constipation.

the soy bean is very difficult to digest and we are not informed thats the case for children of such a young age, as soy beans (espec the formula version) have been heavily promoted as an alternative to dairy or mothers milk. Goats milk is the closest milk drink to mothers breast milk, in that goats have the same digestive sysytem. As opposed to cows, that have 5 stomachs to digest their mothers milk (how can our newly developed babies process all this cows milk?). I would warm the goat milk a little and add some maple syrup to sweeten (a good sugar). I found this info on-line for you...

copied from the Weston A. Price foundation about soy infant formula;

The most serious problem with soy formula is the presence of phytoestrogens or isoflavones. While many claims have been made about the health benefits of these estrogen-like compounds, animal studies indicate that they are powerful endocrine disrupters that alter growth patterns and cause sterility. Toxicologists estimate that an infant exclusively fed soy formula receives the estrogenic equivalent of at least five birth control pills per day. By contrast, almost no phytoestrogens have been detected in dairy-based infant formula or in human milk, even when the mother consumes soy products. A recent study found that babies fed soy-based formula had 13,000 to 22,0000 times more isoflavones in their blood than babies fed milk-based formula. Scientists have known for years that isoflavones in soy products can depress thyroid function, causing autoimmune thyroid disease and even cancer of the thyroid. But what are the effects of soy products on the hormonal development of the infant, both male and female?

Other problems that have been anecdotally associated with children of both sexes who were fed soy-based formula include extreme emotional behavior, asthma, immune system problems, pituitary insufficiency, thyroid disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.

Concerns about the dangers of soy have prompted consumer groups in New Zealand and Canada to call for a ban on the sale of soy infant formula. Milk-based formula contains a better protein profile and does not flood the infant with antinutrients and female hormones. Breast feeding is best IF the mother has consumed a healthy diet, one that is rich in animal proteins and fats, throughout her pregnancy and continues to do so while nursing her infant. Mothers who cannot breast feed, for whatever reason, should prepare homemade formula based on whole milk for their babies. The rare child allergic to whole milk formula should be given a whole foods meat-based formula, not one made of soy protein isolate. Parents who invest time in preparing homemade formula will be well rewarded with the joys of conferring robust good health on their children.

You may also want to check this out...

http://www.serac.co.za/health.html

I am from New Zealand originally and now a proud New Yorker, based in Brooklyn. I love Jamaica! I went twice last year, Duhaney Park! Kingston! I have a 3 1/2 year old son

Good luck

My two boys both have issues with constipation.. and so I can thoroughly relate. First, I would recommend going to a pediatric gastroentologist... if you haven't already. Second, we have been giving our boys a product called Juice + Fiber. It comes as juice boxes (apple, oj or grape) with 10 grams of fiber per box. Our pediatrician recommended it and it has been very helpful. (You can buy them online.) Finally, we have been using Miralax, a now-over-the-counter medication. It has been extremely helpful! It is difficult to find the right dosage (we give our boys 1/2 a capful of the med.) and can be uncomfortable at first... but once his body gets used to it -- it works beautifully. You need to have two different goals when dealing with consitpation 1) Changing the stools 2) Changing your son's relationship with having BMs. The second takes a lot longer to adjust than the first. I would just say, that this is something which definately can get better with help -- but will probably get worse with age if you don't nip it in the butt. It can make toilet training a nightmare... so you are definately right to try to take this on before it gets more out of control.

Hi J.,
First, now that your son is 1, you can take him off of formula and put him on whole milk. Since he is eating regular foods, they should be giving him the nutrients that the formula was.
As for the constipation, I find that broccoli a few times a week works wonders. My daughter stays quite regular as a result of this wonderful veggie (with all the nutrients packed in it, I truly think it's terrific). If you chop it up into very small pieces, he should be able to get it down no problem. If he is not a fan of the stuff, then some wheat germ in his cereal or yogurt (or whatever else you would like to put it in that he enjoys eating) will help move things along.
Good luck, I hope this helps!

Unfortunately, you may have to resort to giving him an enema or a suppository. The stool will sit in the bowel and get so large that it will be very difficult to pass. And that may scare him even more! And also, unfortunately, the little guy may end up with bowel problems from here on. He sounds like my niece who is 6 and she's had bowel issues very early on. Also, I might suggest that leaving him milk free is definately the way to go. Dairy causes numerous digestive issues in people with bowel and stomach concerns (I know, my whole family is littered with digestive problems and all had to go dairy free to get a handle on it). But again, if the stool has been in there for more than 3 days, I would definately do a suppository. Also, the best position for pushing out stool is the squat. Maybe put a small container on the bathroom floor and encourage him to use that. (Yes, weird for the west but that's the norm in the east...ever heard of "squat pots"? :) Good luck.

hi J.,

I would suggest using goats milk with some papaya or mango puree. This is the healthiest milk for little ones to drink when they can't get their mommies milk. The formulas usually have way too much iron in them which is not good for developing G.I. tracts. I would also suggest a detox or laxative tea before bed or in the morning for a few days to get him use to the fact that it doesn't need to hurt when he uses the bathroom. I would make it weak at first to see how he responds then adjust the strength of the tea based on what his body needs.

When anyone strains it develops hemmoroids which might be the reason for the bleeding.

Confidence and security from mommy will go a long way. I would try to think up a game or a prize related to him being successful.

I have been in situations where I felt so overwhelmed by not knowing what is the best way to handle it but then when I relaxed and believed that it was solvable I could really focus on the problem.

Good luck and love yourself,
D.

Hi J.,
I've found that giving the kids a step stool to plant their feet on when they're seated on the potty helps them with leverage. when there's nothing medically wrong.
My son shared the same problem for a short while. I advised him that if he was not able to do this on his own that I might need to buy anal suppositories. He didn't like that idea! While it was completely unintentional, I think the scare factor of something going in that area was enough to have him relax when he was trying to move his bowel. hope it helps out.

Good Day J.,

I am sorry to hear that your son is experiencing bowel movement difficulties. It would appear that you have tried everything that makes sense to do.
My motherly instincts want to say "Lay him down and put a warm cloth or a heat pad on his belly". Secondly, because he is 1yr. of age, he may feel a little embarrassed about what is taking place. Remind him that it is normal. Lastly, if I may also suggest not spreading his legs across the toilet, instead keep them crossed and closed. His buttocks will be low in toilet which allows gravity to kick in. Or you can sit him on his own potty with his legs propped up on a thick telephone book. This position too also allows for release. (I know that it may sound crazy, but I have personally tried these tactics for myself and my children when they were younger.)
BTW, I have 2 boys ages 19 and 12 and a slew of nieces and nephews.
I sincerely hope that it works out for your baby.

Hi J.,
I find that oatmeal and blueberries help my son when he is constipated. Also, if he's eating solids, try to make sure he eats greens as well or buy a 'green' juice. There is a natural laxative called Swiss Kriss that you might also be able to give him (ask pediatrician).

Best,
S.

My son just turn 7 yrs on Monday and he has the same problem but he dosen't drink a lot of water but eats a lot of fruits, whenever he have a hard time going off I usually give him some prune juice but as soon as he gets home I make him drink a lot of water.

You know although he eats a lot of fruits try giving him more bananas for it loosen up his bowels and it should help him to go more often.

Good luck.

R. M.

Hi when my daughter was a baby she suffer from constipation, the nutritionist suggest it that I give her a teaspoon of Karo corn syrup the dark one. I did and it work. Hope this is helpful.

J.,

I know this may seem CRAZY. But add a little sugar to his water. It is the BEST natural remedy for children with constipation.

God Bless

Hi J., I've been where you are. I have a 15yr old and a 10yr old. My 10yr old has milk allergies and that lead to problems with the bowel. Ask your doctor about giving your son Castor oil. It not only helped keep both my girls regular but adds a slickness to the bowel to assist in passing. I can't remember the exact age, but my 15yr old was very young the first a pediatrician suggested it to me because she to, used to hold it in out of fear of discomfort. I hope this helps.