Hello Mammas,
My 18 mos old girl has been crying while trying to go #2 (for about a month now). I can tell it really hurts her and I just feel terrible for her. At first I didn't think it was constipation since the #2 seems normal but just two big for her to pass but now that I have talked to a few moms they do call that constipation. She does drink a lot of 2% milk and cheese, I have completely stopped her on milk and cheese for the last three days and now she hasn't gone #2 at all. I have been giving her plum juice mixed with water, and anything else that has fiber in it. One mom thought it could mean she has a lactose allergy. I need to take her in and get her tested before I get rid of dairy and any lactose completely. She has no other symptoms that would make me believe it is a food allergy. Any of you been in these shoes and have any suggestions for me? Thanks as always!!!! This website is a blessing.
Try giving her Aloe Vera juice, it will keep things regular and the stool softer, without becoming too lose. They sell it at New Seasons, so just ask the consultant how much to give. It works everytime and is not harmful.
is there any blood on the stool? If so, consider anal fissure. Very painful.
I suggest that you make an appointment with her pediatrician to find out what is actually going on. It does sound like constipation. Being too big to pass without pain means it is also too firm. But I wonder about why she's not gone at all since stopping diary. That should've made it better. Perhaps she's getting less fluid since she's not drinking milk. That could be a cause.
To have regular soft bowel movements one needs to have sufficient fiber and liquid in their diet. The fruit juices provide both liquid and fiber.
I suggest that changing her diet based on lay person's advice can be counter productive. You need to get a medical opinion. She may be physically immature or have a medical condition causing the pain. Inother words his may not be consitipation.
I'm glad you're going to have her tested for milk protein allergy and lactose intolerance before changing her diet.
She needs to drink more liquids. The stool gets hard and large when there are not enough lubricants in the intestine for it to move along easily.
Yes cheese, milk and other dairy products can produce constipation. Until she is regular again eliminate them. Does you little girl eat enough fruit, fresh vegetables and whole grain foods?
Are you giving her prepared foods from the store that mimic fast food. Despite the children's menus we see in eaterys calling for pizza, fries, chicken McN's etc these are very unhealthy for growing a sound well functioning body.
Do not be afraid to remove cow's milk from her diet. It is totally unnatural to take milk from another animal. People in the far east don't do it nor did Amerindians.
What about prune juice? My niece always had to drink that when she was a baby. I would call her dr. keep a food diary. maybe she needs to be gluten free? Stool softener...can you give those to babies, i am not sure just thowing some things out there. I feel bad for your baby...I hope you figure this out soon!
My son went through the same thing at about 3 years old. I was hurting for him and cried a few times too. He was very regular and went one or two times a day with everything looking normal, but when I took him to the dr, he felt of his tummy and immediately knew he was constipated. He said it is not uncommon to regularly have a bowl movement and be constipated at the same time. He was going, but he wasn't cleaning himself out completely. We are more natural in our ways, but the dr had told us to try some kind of laxative (I don't remember the name because we didn't do it - miralax maybe).
First, I say take her to the pediatrician and have him/her check before making a drastic decision.
Here's what we did: lots of apples and homemade applesauce (not many bananas because that stops the poops more). We actually had an apple every day. We also got probiotics, and I'm certain this was what changed everything. For her age, you can get a powder probiotic to mix with water or added to applesauce or pretty much anything. You can get it from sprouts, central market, and I think several different stores. I've heard CVS even carries it. We use a pill form, but she probably wouldn't be able to swallow one at her age. You can also do yogurt with probiotics, but that's nothing near as good as the straight probiotic. Good luck with it. I wouldn't cut anything out until you first find out that she's NOT constipated.
Also, I have to disagree with another post. Our pedi said 2% and whole are fine for 1 year old. Whole is actually not as different from 2% as we have been made to believe, so it's fine either way.
Well, per a Pediatric Gastroenterologist... "constipation" is:
1) hardly going or going less than 3 times a week
2) the stool is rock hard, dry, and looks like little pebbles, and usually causes pain upon exiting.
If this is how your baby's stool is, the yes, it is constipation.
But you said, that her #2 seems normal... but is just TOO big for her to pass.
"Normal" poop, likes like thick oatmeal.
So, did your baby have constipation... or just a big load?
But now, she is NOT going poop at all. Per your doing what the other Moms told you to do.. which is stopping diary.
But why?
Also, a child this age through 2 years old, needs WHOLE milk. Not 2% milk. Because, the milk-fats in it, is an essential nutrient for proper brain development.
Now, I would not have changed anything.
I would not have done, the things the other Moms told you do to.
Your baby seemed fine, until then.
Having a 'big" load to poop... does sometimes happen. It is normal... meaning, it is natural. Gee, some adults even get like that. Depending on how much they ate and what they ate. It simply means, they have a big load of poop to pass. Sorry.
But this does NOT mean, a person/baby, is 'constipated.'
And sometimes, their sphincter muscles, just do not expand... enough to pass it.
My kids, as babies, sometimes I would be so surprised at how much they would pass. My Son, he would grunt and make noises as he pooped. But it was not, 'constipation.'
I think your baby is fine.
Do not continue doing, what those other Moms told you. Or think she is lactose intolerant... because, that is not your baby.
Your baby- simply has been having big loads, to pass. To me.
Which can be uncomfortable for anyone.
But it does not warrant, changing ones entire eating habits.
Because now that her diet did change... she seems to not poop, at all so far for the past 3 days.
all the best,
Susan
Sounds like she was getting too much dairy - which is quickly wasted by the body due to the issues with most humans having varying degrees of lactose intolerance - and had it impounded by not having enough water and fibers.
She may do well with a stool softener 3 times a week - but definitely ask your Pediatrician about which one is best for their age.
Miralex is supposed to the trick. IT doesn't say its for kiddos but that is what the peditrician recommended ot us. HALF a cap (not full cap) twice a day is what we were recommended. Lots of water. Keep them on it for a few days after things start coming out - may be diarrhea. Then take it back to one dose. My understanding from peditrician is they can be on it for a while safely. Some things get blocked and need to come out that is why you keep them on it for longer. She may also have small fissures that are painful. so sad, I know.
