I have a 17month old daughter who has had chronic constipation from the time she was born, only now after nearly 18months and no tests!! i am no closer to finding out what is wrong with her, she goes to the toilet very rarely and when she does she strain so much she shakes violently and sweats, the stool can be as big as my wrist in width, she has anal prolapsed three times, and eventually after a week of not going to the toilet she vomits constantly until she has been, its almost as if there is nowhere for the food to go because everywhere is full, the doctor said its not hirschsprung disease as she can go to the toilet eventually, they has put her on laxitives for adults and it doesnt work, besides laxitives shouldnt be a long term solution. its not fair to watch my baby in pain, playschool have said she strains all day and gets upset when nothing happens, i just want my baby be pain free, if anyone at all has experience these problems and had a diagnosis please please tell me, im desperate, my doctors are next to useless and now im going to have to go private just so i can have a diagnosis, please please please message me back, :angel:

Say how you feed your daughter. How many meals and what foods are given?

JC

In the morning my daughter has wheats and corn, occasionally porridge and brown toast,
In the afternoon she has pasta, chicken, fish (she loves fish) loads of vegetables (she loves fussy food, ((Brocolli and cauliflower) For pudding she has fresh fruit and yoghurts.
In the evening she has something light, like sandwiches on brown bread, or a rice dish,
I DONT give her any Lactose as she is loads worse when she has it, so she has soya milk one bottle before bed and one in the morning.
I have a Chocolate Ban in our house, have never given it, therefore they dont miss it, we excercise on a regular basis, i take her for walks, ( Idont see the point in the using them if they can walk.
Apart from this we lead very normal lives,
I went to the doctors again today he said she has a problem with the her bowels but doesnt know what it is and wants me to wait a month at least to the pediatrician!!! I am not impressed! I clearly said that i dont care how much it costs just sort my daughter out!!! after which he said i may be albe to get a consultant to see you sooner!! isnt it ridiculous that you have to have money for a good health system!! (I live in the UK so here we pay 23% (at least, I pay 40%!!!)of our wages to cover health care and i still have to pay more!!!!)

I am so naggy!!!

In the morning my daughter has wheats and corn, occasionally porridge and brown toast,
In the afternoon she has pasta, chicken, fish (she loves fish) loads of vegetables (she loves fussy food, ((Brocolli and cauliflower) For pudding she has fresh fruit and yoghurts.
In the evening she has something light, like sandwiches on brown bread, or a rice dish,
I DONT give her any Lactose as she is loads worse when she has it, so she has soya milk one bottle before bed and one in the morning.
I have a Chocolate Ban in our house, have never given it, therefore they dont miss it, we excercise on a regular basis, i take her for walks, ( Idont see the point in the using them if they can walk.
Apart from this we lead very normal lives,
I went to the doctors again today he said she has a problem with the her bowels but doesnt know what it is and wants me to wait a month at least to the pediatrician!!! I am not impressed! I clearly said that i dont care how much it costs just sort my daughter out!!! after which he said i may be albe to get a consultant to see you sooner!! isnt it ridiculous that you have to have money for a good health system!! (I live in the UK so here we pay 23% (at least, I pay 40%!!!)of our wages to cover health care and i still have to pay more!!!!)

I am so naggy!!!

Hello:

Here's the eating plan for your daughter I would put forward for you to consider:

Breakfast: 1st option) warm beverage (tea OR almond milk) + bread OR toast + butter OR poached egg OR a few nuts (crushed, processed or powdered)

2nd option) warm beverage + one or two ripe bananas

3rd option) oatmeal porridge (made with water and almond milk - avoid cow's milk and soy milk)

Lunch: raw veggies (whatever she can handle: grated carrot, shredded lettuce, sprouts) seasoned with some olive oil + potatoes OR rice OR noodles + fish fillet OR chicken breast OR homemade hamburger or whatever + fruit compote OR dark milk-free chocolate. If she can't eat raw veggies, give them steamed until she is ready.

Snack: around 4 PM: fresh fruit (whatever she likes, but not bananas at this time: an apple, a pear, strawberries, grapes, a peach, whatever. If it is very cold, give some cooked fruit instead, without sugar added)

Dinner: will be much like lunch. Try to make her eat potatoes or grains (rice) rather than bread. Don't forget the animal protein. Substitute eggs for meat in the evening, if she likes eggs.

Don't force her to eat. Give a little water with the meals. First thing in the morning, a glass of water. Try to get organic foods if available and not too expensive: free-range eggs, grass-fed beef, etc... Stop all dairy and soy and don't give fresh fruit as dessert (but as snack).

If you have questions, feel free to ask.

Best to you and her

JC

I think you should avoid giving her bananas, rice and potatoes , these foods are often recommended for diarrhea because they are binding.
I agree with the warm fluids, warmth promotes gastric movement. I think you should try to include a bran cereal and maybe prune juice mixed with another juice she likes to drink. Don't forget to give her several bottles of plain water daily, nothing hydrates the bowel as well as water.
I also think you should ask her doctor if she can take a stool softener daily, it is not a laxative so she won't become laxative dependant. It works by lubricating the stool making it easier to come out.
Your daughter is so young to have these problems, a prolapsed rectum is so unusual but I do think you can help her by changing her diet.

[QUOTE=Mari526]I think you should avoid giving her bananas, rice and potatoes , these foods are often recommended for diarrhea because they are binding.

Hello,

You are not totally mistaken, but I would rather think that these foods are soothing and digestive. Neuter, to use one word. And they are usually very suitable for children, who don't bother to chew well yet, if you see what I mean. Of course, her diet must not be based upon these foods nor must she be given too much of them. I would give her some fiber (or raw foods, if she can hanfle them) together with those foods, but with caution, lest we can set up the opposite problem: a transit too quickly.

Thanks for your insight, anyway.

JC

JC,
I know I'm not mistaken, I would not give foods that are binding to anyone with chronic constipation. I wouldn't want anything contributing to the problem. Remember that an 18 month old has an immature digestive system.

Hi Mari:

You are right. I surrender. :)

So let me tell mummyoftwo to dismiss what I said before and avoid giving her child foods that may contribute to constipating her, such as white rice, refined pasta and bread, bananas and potato. I think milk and dairy can also be constipating in some cases. When she gets better, she may occasionally eat those foods in small quantities. However, as a baby, she needs a softer and less aggressive kind of fiber and plenty of water. I think some dried fruit (dates or figs or raisins) in the morning, pre-soaked overnight, as breakfast, would be a hit so to say. What do you think, Mari?

Cheers,

JC

Hi JC,
Yes, it would be a good idea if Mummyoftwo avoids giving the foods you listed (Bananas, rice, potatoes,toast etc.) As far as the figs, raisins goes she could add those to her childs diet as long as she stews them a little and then purees them to prevent choking.