sweetsouthern Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 TMI.ok. my 11 yr old is having some issues. she usually poops about 3 or 4 times a week and there usually hard stools. i want to get her pooping daily with better healthy ones. honestly though, im trying to get fruits and veggies in here and getting her to drink more water, but lets just face it... shes doing some (better than before) but i cant stay on top of an 11 yr old constantly and she just dislikes fruits, veggies and water! (VERY picky eater). what can i give her as a supplement to help regulate her?? i ve read up a bit and heard about psyhillium, but if shes not getting the intake of water, it wont help her. any ideas??? thanks so much!:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I don't know about supplements, but we found that pears work the best. You can get Pear Juice, Pear Sauce (like apple sauce) and of course fresh pears. All good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 TMI.ok. my 11 yr old is having some issues. she usually poops about 3 or 4 times a week and there usually hard stools. i want to get her pooping daily with better healthy ones. honestly though, im trying to get fruits and veggies in here and getting her to drink more water, but lets just face it... shes doing some (better than before) but i cant stay on top of an 11 yr old constantly and she just dislikes fruits, veggies and water! (VERY picky eater). what can i give her as a supplement to help regulate her?? i ve read up a bit and heard about psyhillium, but if shes not getting the intake of water, it wont help her. any ideas??? thanks so much!:grouphug: I have IBS and probiotics and a flax based fiber make a huge difference in my life. It's also helped immensely with food sensitivities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 A wee bit of miralax. Start with a very small dose and only work up to what is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Natural Calm maybe? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WVY4PE/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005P0U762&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0ZCS9D0SJCGSK6K2GN2Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandragood1 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Fluids- how about fruit juice or watered fruit juice. Grape and water taste good. Avoid citrus/water mixes unless making lemonade. Does she like fizzy drinks? You could add fizzy waters to juice. Or make homemade ginger ale. It isn't difficult and ginger is good for digestion. Fiber- you are right to be cautious adding fiber without the fluids. Can you do smoothies with yogurt and whole frozen fruit? Fat- Fat is really helpful here. My niece's doctor had her taking olive oil to help with constipation. Just add more good fats to everything. I believe Alton Brown has a recipe for avocado based chocolate "ice cream" if dairy is a problem. Butter and cream are good. Pasture-raised meats and eggs too. Forgot- I forgot exercise is also useful. Nothing strenuous, just a walk. Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookValley. Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 The thing with psyllium is it can be very irritating; the thing with laxatives is they can disrupt peristalsis and cause dependency. Not that I wouldn't use those things if necessary, but I would consider them last resorts. You're on the right track with fruits, veggies, and water, of course. I second the suggestion to do probiotics. Get a good-quality brand and heavy them up! I would also try an oil supplement. Fish oils are great for omega-3s/EPA & DHA, but you can only do so much, volume-wise. I would try flax oil. Start slow and build up. Flax seed (ground) is great, but if she's not going to drink enough water, it might not have the desired results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliums Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Does she eat a lot of cheese (other than cottage cheese)? Turns out this was causing problems for some family members. Today we made fiber brownies: Ghirardelli brownie mix with 3 T ground flax seed, 3T soluble fiber powder, 3T almond flour along with some coconut flakes. Turned out pretty good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Fat- Fat is really helpful here. My niece's doctor had her taking olive oil to help with constipation. Sandra :iagree: Olive oil works wonders in this department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetsouthern Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 :iagree: Olive oil works wonders in this department. where are you in western pa?? :) and how would you give the olive oil if it werent in a food for that day (like salad?)... :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Probiotics (Acidophilus), fiber, and coconut oil. Coconut oil can be used as a spread, eaten directly from a spoon, or you can get capsules if she can swallow them. They're pretty big, but the ones I have actually have a sweet tasting coating on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Lots of people don't poop daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I second the Miralax recommendation - DD10 uses about a teaspoon in a glass of water. Also good are the chewable Benefiber tablets. These taste good and work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandamom Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 For my daughter eliminating dairy solved most of the problem. While we were dealing with the worst of it... we used Miralax and a good probioitic (Vitacost) until she was clear. After that it was a matter of finding out why she was constipated. Once we did that we haven't dealt with it. This same daughter is now gf due to stomach aches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Lots of people don't poop daily. :iagree: Some people do not move as quickly as others. Aside from the healthy items, a Dr. Pepper once in a while can do the trick. It has to be regular DP or Dr. Pepper 10, not diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momtoamayalilal2 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Magnesium, we use the Natural Calm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2samlibby Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Flax seed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 A wee bit of miralax. Start with a very small dose and only work up to what is needed. This has helped one of mine immensely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicMom Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I would cut back on dairy as it's a commonly constipating. Will she eat more soup? Soup would help get more liquid in her if she isn't a water person. Also, high fiber instant oatmeal can be quite effective and is easy to throw in once a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellers Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Lots of people don't poop daily. :iagree: Maybe this is just her normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Here's another vote for removing dairy. Taking a hot tea first thing in the morning works nicely here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddykate Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 You could try bowel retraining. About 20 minutes or so after a meal, have her go and sit on the potty, even she doesn't feel like she needs to go. Have her relax and try to go. Do it after every single meal or snack. Her body may get the idea that she needs to eliminate after a meal. In the meantime, I find the Fiber One bars extremely helpful when I am having a slow day.... Hope she gets relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactus flower Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I agree with the probiotics and flax. I mix 1/4 tsp. whole flax seeds in applesauce twice a day for one of mine with this problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I haven't read all the other replies, but a small daily glass of OJ with a Tbsp or two of prune juice in it did wonders for my son when he went through something like this. The prune juice doesn't taste bad at all in the OJ. If that won't work, you might try a probiotic. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 where are you in western pa?? :) and how would you give the olive oil if it werent in a food for that day (like salad?)... :lurk5: I'm in Fayette County.:001_smile: Does she eat eggs? You can fry or scramble eggs in olive oil, use it in dipping sauces, and it's very easy to add to tomato-based sauces in pizza, spaghetti, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 turkey rhubarb -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 In terms of food, besides the obvious prunes and dried fruits, I have found blueberries and sweet potatoes to be helpful, as well as any number of fibrous hot cereals. I don't know about any supplements besides Miralax, which I would recommend. It's available over the counter and in generic versions. Lots of people don't poop daily. I think another part of the concern is that when she goes, it's very hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Another vote for Natural Calm magnesium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 A wee bit of miralax. Start with a very small dose and only work up to what is needed. My 3 yr old started having bowel troubles when she potty trained (she was never "regular" and often with harder BMs...after potty training, she had a span of "going" 2x in a MONTH w/ pain!) Anyway, the ped recommended Miralax. Said to give her 1/2 a dose each a.m. Also said that there are no side effects and that she can continue taking it as long as needed....even "forever" with no negative effects... Anyway, she's been taking it about 8 months now and things are going...smoothly. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Nobody has mentioned vitamin c powder. I buy buffered vitamin c powder from kirkman labs. Each 1/4 tsp is 1100 mg of vitamin C. Put 1/4 tsp in any kind of juice. When I'm having difficulties, I will take 1/4 tsp 3-4x/day. You know it's too much when you get watery. Vitamin C is nontoxic. Taking it as a powder is a lot cheaper than taking it as a chewable tablet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 magnesium....not sure about the dosage you would have to do some research.... :iagree: on the water/fruits/veggies but that can be difficult---miralax works great with my kiddo--fiber cookies--flaxseed oil is great too (can get in capsules) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostSurprise Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 My son takes senna (senna-lax is one brand name). Its natural and it helps the bowels retain more water to help move things along. You can find it at Target in the pharmacy section. We find its more gentle than Miralax. No explosive incidents if you take just a tad too much. This doesn't help her water problem though. I would buy some herbal tea and let her try out a bunch of flavors. Lemon water can also encourage people to drink. Having water in the fridge (cold). Explore some different ways of drinking water. It is true that some people are more every-other-day folks. If she's comfortable and has her own schedule you can let it go. If she's uncomfortable she needs to listen to her body and find a new way to make things work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 First of all, there is no reason that she needs to go every day. I don't mean to sound rude but I don't even understand why you would be discussing her bowels habits unless she is having pain or discomfort or something. Focusing on them when they are not a problem could causes problems. However, if she is suffering from constipation a good natural treatment is magnesium citrate. I would also add a probiotic and definitely try to increase water consumption. Plenty of fruits and vegetables are a great idea but I wouldn't purposely increase fiber and a decrease in dairy is also a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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