Hi, there,
Sorry if this is a little TMI. My six year old does not like to poop. It seems as though he has something called encopresis(is that the right spelling?) with BMs that are really hard and dry and that stop up the whole plumbing system. Any ideas about stool softeners, gentle laxatives, foods that might help him go more regularly and more normally? We've tried applesauce and prune juice with limited results. Thanks!
Hey,
Thanks for all your help. We're doing the Metamucil thing and also planning on taking the fiber pills. The other suggestions were very helpful, too. I guess that this problem is pretty common!!
Thanks again and Happy Holidays to everyone!!
-E.
My 4 year old has the same issue. The doc has had her on Miralax for about a year now. We give her 1/2 a dose every day.
My kiddo in on Miralax. He's 42 pounds, and his ped GI told us "1/4 to 1/2 an adult dose". We've setted on about 1 1/2 tsp once a day (this is about 1/3 of an adult dose) and it's working for him. It's not a laxative (it won't "make" him go), it's just a stool softener that makes it not hurt when he does go.
My daughter had the same problems until we started giving her fiber gummies. The bottle says to take three a day, but she is only 4yrs old so we give her one every other day. They really help her go on a regular basis. I hope this helps!
Here is the website for the gummies we buy:
Some people swear by it, some people are concerned by it, but Miralax is the common recommended treatment for this. You can talk to the pharmacist about it, although it's available over the counter. My son has had this issue for years and his doctor recently recommended plain old mineral oil. It is available at the pharmacy too (OTC) and works overnight.
Have you tried those fiber one bars? They are so good it is insane. I have to hide them because my ten year old will eat a box and that is not good.
If you take him to a doctor they will put him on a laxative until they start going on thier own-usually for 6 weeks to a month. They also will occasionally prescribe enemas to get the colon to shrink back to normal size.
First I would start requiring he sit on the toilet twice a day for about 5 minutes. Have him lean forward slightly and maybe have his feet on a stool. Second it is essential that he gets exercise-exercise helps move things along-literally. Have him drink lots of water and try a glass of flax milk a day. Make sure he is on a healthy diet-no fast food or alot of processed foods. Raw fruits and veggies are the best! Good luck!
My daughter has the same issue. she is also 6. She would have them the girth of a large potato a times, and it would make her cry. I started giving her probiotics in a cheable form, along with 1/2 dose of mirelax every other day. It is not a laxitive, but a stool softener. I also would suggest benefiber in drinks and foods. it is tasteless. Good luck, poor little thing. Hhope itt gets solved.
http://www.ivillage.com/scoop-about-your-toddlers-poop/6-...
Please read the linked article. It is by a fantastic pediatrician (who I just so happen to have known since highschool.) He is a funny and entertaining writer who educates at the same time. The article should help you decide if Miralax and/or maybe an enema are enough or if you need a more serious intervention. Good luck.
Pears always seem to work for my daughter. Also whole grain bread or cereal with bran if he'll eat it. My daughter drinks a lot of water too (mostly because she doesn't like anything else except milk) and I think that helps. Making sure he gets regular exercise to "keep things moving" may help too. Good Luck! I know that can be miserable for him.
Fiber Plus - delicious, and gets my son to poop the same day--I only give him 1/2 a bar, or he gets diarrhea (he's 5)
Miralax - very gentle & more gradual loosening
I ditto what 3Girls&AHusband2love said, the Fiber Gummies by Pedia-Lax work well. My guy is just a little over 2.5 and I have him on one a day (he weighs 30 lbs.) They also make a laxative for children that says it works in 30 minutes to 6 hours with no cramping.
And make sure he drinks lots of water, no sodas or sugary drinks or processed or fast food, and fibrous cereals (oatmeal,) fruits and veggies.
I am not sure if anyone has already mentioned this or not, but apples and applesauce are actually constipating. Apple juice helps soften stools, but not the flesh of the apple. That actually stops you up. You are probably undoing any good from the prune juice by offering applesauce. Stick with just the juice, it helps!
Try graham crackers ,plums,carrots,and lots of liquids. The graham crackers really help and you can give them daily without a fight=)
My son is 5 1/2 and this has been an ongoing issue with him basically since he has been 2. We finally figured out that 1 1/2 tsp of Miralax everyday seems to be the trick. And the most important thing is to BE CONSISTENT--Don't stop giving it to him, even if he seems to start having regular bowel movements for a few days or weeks. Also, lots of water, fruits and vegetables. Good luck to you and your little guy. :)
I just returned from a pediatric chiropractic conference where one of the papers presented was a child with encopresis that resolved after a course of treatment by a chiropractor. Frequency of movements increased and miralax was stopped or almost stopped. Something to check out. My office is in Oak Park, a bit far from Wilmette, but I am sure you can find a peds chiropractor in www.icpa4kids.org. Best of Luck.
