constipation in a 2-year-old

[oimissus]

now on day 5 with no poo. I am pretty certain it's because I started potty training and she's been holding it in, as she has with wees, but some of those have gone in the potty (or on the floor or in her nappy) - she seems to have become confused about poos and isn't doing them at all, not even in her nappy. I'm putting her back into nappies and we can try the potty training again another time - but in the meantime how to sort out the constipation, as it's making her pretty unwell, high temp etc. I bought some Oatibix which she rejected so she's had cornflakes, trying to keep dairy to a minimum, and she's veggie anyway so has plenty of veg and a decent amount of fruit - but any other tips on what to give / avoid would be very gratefully received! I have suffered badly from this myself on and off for ever so I am really feeling for my poor little girl!

[Saffron]

See your GP asap, this afternoon or tomorrow morning. Most over-the-counter laxatives are not suitable for 2 yos.

In the meantime, you could try glycerin suppositories (cut the adult size in half), but in my exprience, if the constipation has gone past 3 days then the suppository just gets pushed out without a poo.

A big dinner and a warm bath also helps, though sometimes results in poo in the bath!

[Saffron]

Phone NHS direct for more advice: 0845 46 47.

[oimissus]

thanks Saffron, just rang the doc's and managed to get an appt this afternoon (a miracle!), was going to leave it till tomorrow but she is so very under the weather, and I don't think there's anything more I can do at home, she's not eating anything now. Oddly, her nursery has said this can be quite common during potty training, but none of the books I have mention holding poo in or constipation. Anyways, the potties are going away for a bit. Thanks again.

[Saffron]

Yes, I agree. It's very common. I'm slightly surprised that it's not mentioned more often. One of the problems is that after a couple of days of witholding poo, the constipation can become self-perpetuating b/c the faeces become so firm that the bowel has difficult moving them. At this point, most dietary measure have little effect. They simply don't reach the point of the problem which is large intestine/bowel.

My daughter is 2.5 yrs, we've been dealing with this issue for several months. For us it started after a gastro-bug, which was follwed by thrush. She became very sensitive with her bladder and bowel. One of the most annoying things has been people suggesting that she's constipated b/c of poor diet. This is definitely not the case. Although a high-fibre diet is helpful, ultimately it's not the cause of the constipation. Poor little pet does it to herself by witholding the poo.

Recently we've found that if she's witholding poo, then lots of nappy free time encourages her to use her potty. She doesn't want to poo in her nappy. So it looks like we have somewhat the opposite issue to your LO.

Our potty training is very relaxed and we are making slow but good progress, though our toddler is a bit older than yours. I think you're doing the right thing by going back to nappies for a while. I think a lot of people go through stop-start phases with potty training (we've certainly had our share). When you bring her little potty out again, maybe just leave it in the loo or nursery, but don't focus on it? She'll get used to seeing it and will be interested in it again soon enough. We've also found that reading stories about potties has helped. There are lots of different gentle strategies.

Our toddler is now doing a poo about every 3 to 4 days. The HV said that's really common during potty training. But she also said that when it's been more than 5 days, then it's time to see the GP for some Movicol etc.

[vicki08]

Orange juice helps but it has to be a freshly squeezed

Not a carton of orange juice

[fairywings]

when my little fairy was 2 years old...she was constantly constipated for about 6 months...GP refused to give her anything as she is too yound for laxatives etc. and just advised us on diet.

little fairy has a very balanced diet so that didnt really help much....it was really heart breaking watching her in tears to poo.

after a bit of research only i discovered the solution DRIED PRUNES, PRUNE JUICE - availavle in Holland-Barratts.

so she had a few prunes daily and drank a glass of prune juice daily... i was lucky that she actually liked it as i wouldnt!!!

Hope this helps

Problem solved for us

[enprim22]

I don't think there's anything more I can do at home, she's not eating anything now. Oddly, her nursery has said this can be quite common during potty training, but none of the books I have mention holding poo in or constipation. Anyways, the potties are going away for a bit. Thanks again.http://www.forexchartingsoftware.info/iPhone.gif

[Saffron]

Hi enprimm22 - Have you also spoken to your HV or GP about it? Nevemind what the books do/don't say, it is quite common for toddlers to go through a stage of witholding poos.

How old is your LO? When you say she's "not eating anything", what do you mean? Diet is not nec the cause, but some types foods do help. They need to be consumed on a regular basis to help. Dietary changes will not help acute constipation. If it's been more than 5 days, our HV advised a GP appointment should be booked.

Foods that we've found helpful are nuts, seeds, dried fruit, gound flax (sprinkle on yogurt, cereal, etc.), peaches/nectarines, apples, prunes/plums, beans/legumes.

Our toddler likes her potty, so we do lots of nappy-free time at home (especially on days when we think a poo is due!). Other children prefer to have a nappy back on, and that's fine too. I think it's a matter of giving options and seeing what your LO likes. Good luck. xx