Constipated Toddler! Just wanting opinions

Upset Toddler ! - My son crying at the camera.
United States
February 23, 2007 5:05pm CST
I have a 2 1/2 year old boy who has been having a really hard time lately going "number two". I have read many online suggestions and the overwhelming response seems to be mineral oil. I was just wondering if anybody had ever tried that and if you had what the results were. Thanks in advance!
6 responses
• United States
24 Feb 07
i see so many people posting that prune juice is good, and where i think that is true, when i was little my mom would just give me prunes (tasted better then prune juice). ive never heard of the mineral oil, though it doesnt sound very pleasant. apple juice or apple sauce would work too, and of course lots of fiber. oatmeal is great for that.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 07
oh here is another yummy item that makes my son have to go any time he has had one! so perhaps ud like to try this as well.. we like to eat the sunbelt cereal bars. they arent bombed with sugar like most are, and dont have the icky high fructose corn syrup or trans fat either! they make great snacks and like said they help my son have to go number 2! best of luck!
• United States
24 Feb 07
I agree about the prune juice. Yuck...I wouldnt drink it so I cannot imagine trying to get my little one to. I have tried reducing dairy and increasing juice and other fluids. Hopefully it will get better! Thanks for the response!
• United States
23 Feb 07
When my oldest was 2 we had the same problem and my doctor suggested mineral oil, we mixed 1-2 tablespoons in the juice and it worked great! We haven't had a problem since!
• United States
24 Feb 07
Glad to hear the mineral oil worked so well. I am still thinking about it, but will put it off for a bit and just hope with a diet change it will pass. Thanks for your response!
@MakDomMom (1474)
• United States
23 Feb 07
I don't think that I would use mineral oil. Just seems unnecessary to me. Have you tried apple juice, prune juice, pears, raisens, grapes. All those Natural laxatives? I would defiantly do that first. Then if that doesn't work - ask the doctor.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 07
I have tried increasing his juices and decreasing milk and cheese, increasing our fiber, all the natural things. It did help a little, he can go now but he is still suffering and having a really hard time. That is why I was looking for another "remedy" I am afraid that the doctor would give us those horrible litle laxitives that you have to "insert". Just not my cup of tea there and its no fun for him either! Thanks for the reply!
• Canada
23 Feb 07
I had the same problem when I was that age, and my mother cut back on my intake of dairy products, and bananas. For some reason bananas are as bad as dairy products for constipation. I also had some medication I was on, a prescription that the doctor gave us. Try cutting back on dairy and bananas and giving him more grain and fiber, and if that doesn't work, go to your doctor.
1 person likes this
• Canada
23 Feb 07
i have never tried mineral oil, but my daughter's doctor recommended a teaspoon of white corn syrup in a glass of water. or prune juice to help her go.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 07
Corn syrup... I think I heard that at one time. Thanks for your response!
• United States
23 Feb 07
honestly two cups of apple juice in a six hour period and maybe something fibrous for a snack helps my kid. we also eat whole wheat pasta which is 77% of your daily fiber so the next day he is always fine.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 07
We eat wheat pasta also. Honestly my kids are juice nuts and I usually have to limit them so they dont have yucky pants! I just hope changing his diet around will help soon...it just works so slow and I feel so bad for the little man!