[DivasMomma]

Jaecy is 2 1/2 (in may)

she has always had a constipation issue, but since shes been potty trained its been worse. On Tuesday i let our ped know that she hadnt gone in 4 days...she said to give her prune juice for a week, if that didnt work we would move onto mineral oil for a week, then miralax if neccessary.

Friday she still hadnt gone...she drank 1/2 a gallon of the prune mixed with straight apple juice in those 3 days. Well my MIL decided to take it upon herself and give her a laxative...it was a womens laxative Not for kids under 12! I was very upset.

Friday night she went a tiny bit...(TMI) One hard chunk and thats it.
Saturday she went a little more...still looking like a rock.
Last night she got out of the tub and went a lot....still on the harder side, but it seemed to be getting to a normal state.

Now this morning i see her running for the potty and there is a stream of (TMI) brown liquid running down her leg....the poor thing

My ped opens in a few minutes, but i was just wondering if this is normal after being backed up for so long? Or is this from the lax that MIL gave her? Any advice...i dont want to give her anything to bind her up, so should I just keep liquids in her, maybe lay off the juice and move to water for today? TYIA!

[DK615617]

Oh my gosh, to say that I would strangle MIL woudl be an understatement. What was she thinking!!!!
Poor little one. I would switch to water, keep her drinking a lot so she doesn't end up dehydrated.

[deedee1231]

I would be so angry if anyone gave one of my children an adult medication!! My own MIL once reccommended I give my 3 year old daughter half of an adult dose of Nyquil--needless to say, we had a heated discussion over the subject. (I don't give my children cold medicine, I don't think it works for me so why on Earth would it work for them).

Anyhow, give her plenty of fluids and keep her hydrated. She will probably be fine, she is likely just reacting to a slight overdose of adult laxitive. I would definately reccommend the Miralax if you can get the Dr to prescribe it. I had the same exact problem with my son and the Miralax worked wonders. He took about 2 or maybe 3 bottles of it and it completely readjusted his system so that he was more easily able to regulate his own bowels without medicine. It is good stuff.

[DivasMomma]

oh and the best part was she knew i was upset, but i dont really stand up for things like that (i know i should its my kid, but she always pulls out the "I raised two very healthy sons blah blah" and i dont have any comebacks...) so she hands me the pack and says "Here in case it happens again"....i look at the date and they expired in 1995!!!!!!!!!!!!

so im hoping they only lost a lot of their power, and arent a mutated medicine now

[Samual]

If she hasnt been to the toilet, liquid poo from behind solid stools will be forced out, does she have adequate fiber in her diet? Lack of fiber is a big cause of constipation.

[deedee1231]

Oh good grief, that is 13 years ago !!! It expired before Jaeclyn was even born! I would have blown my top! Poor little one, I really do not think it will hurt her though. In the future, if she isn't able to get the Miralax from the pedi, you might try a natural senna laxative. Senna is approved for use for 2 and up. Or maybe just a fiber supplement like Benefiber. But I would really try to get the Miralax .

[J920]

When she gets backed up I give her this OTC which is made from vegetable extract. (I am going for lunch and will PM you when i get the name)The next day she will let something out fierce. But it doesnt dehydrate her and the stool is normal looking, not too hard (only the first part) and not too watery.

I understand about your MIL, with me its my own mother. She plays the victim when I get upset with her. Because its like am questioning her ability, intentions and love. In the end you must stand your ground. ironically, I could very easily see my mother disembowel anyone if they gave us a laxative without permission, an adult, expired one at that.
Things that work for me or rather my daughter:
Raisins
Oatmeal
Fiber or fiber sprinkled in her food once a day.
Prune juice
All natural vegetable juices-like carrot or beet based.

[DivasMomma]

i asked my ped about using a fiber supplement in our food...like sauces and such. We could all use the fiber in this house. She told me not to do that, that the miralax would be a better bet....so hopefully when i talk to her at 1pm, she will prescribe it to her...seems like ti worked well for everyone else.

thanks a lot for all of the advice!!

[Mom261724]

I also use Miralax for my 6 year old. She has had a constipatoin problem for about 3 years now. Mostly from being in the hospital so much and being afraid to go. But i really just wanted to say that I love Miralax! It really gets the job done, and quickly too. We use the powder kind, just mix it in some juice or water, and she drinks it down in no time! She goes pretty "losely" for about 2 days and then she is back to normal. So, if you can get the Miralax, use it! You can also get it OTC now, but it's cheaper if you can get a script.

[ASheppa0821]

Give her two tsp. to one Tbsp. of mineral oil (medium or light only) in her bottle before bed. Trust me, that will take care of the problem! It makes it much easier to go.