We’re all parents here so I figured I could openly chat about the topic of poop. My toddler has, since she was about a year old, had issues with constipation. At one point, it was so bad she’d be in tears pushing. Our pediatrician at the time prescribed this powder laxative that seriously worked like a charm – poop galore! We gave it to her twice and then decided we didn’t want her body to get used to pooping just because she had a laxative. So what to do?
It’s been quite the adventure figuring out how to get our little girl regular. I’ve talked to several parents at Bellani who have had similar issues so I know I’m not alone. We’ve tried a whole lot of things and some things work and some things don’t; they work some of the time and sometimes not. We’ve just made sure to keep our poop arsenal fully armed so we can try a variety of things. I’m listing here what works for us (well, really her) and I hope you’ll add anything that’s worked for you.
Our Poop Arsenal
- We’ve learned when she’s constipated, not to load her up on fiber rich foods. It doesn’t really help.
- On a regular basis, we try to make sure her diet is filled with lots of fiber. However, it’s never a guaranteed she’ll eat everything we give her. But if she’s in the mood here is a good list of fiber rich foods (that our kid likes, there are plenty more): barley, apples, beans, lots of whole grains, high fiber cereal.
- Lots and lots of water. Prune juice, as well.
- Flax seed oil/meal has worked on pretty well for us. We’ll put some of the oil in yogurt or a smoothie. The meal we’ll disguise in tons of foods; she rarely ever notices it’s in there.
- Regular physical activity. In the summer this one is a no brainer considering how much time we spend outdoors at playgrounds, beaches and just walking around. In the cooler weather, though, we have to get creative. You can take a gym class, bundle up and head to the playground, go sledding, exercise at home (our tot loves to use empty paper towel rolls as her “weights” to workout with us), have a dance party – have fun with it; the important thing is to get them moving.
- Massage has was worked really, really well. I feel like every time I give her a good massage on her belly, there’s poop the next day. I never got a chance to sign up for the Infant Massage Workshop but just picked up a book (like this one) and use the series of techniques specific for stomach issues. Our daughter loves our special tummy massges and even asks for them sometimes.
What have you tried to get that poop moving?
~Carla~
