Does This Make Sense?

[Mom to M&M]

So DD (2.5) has always been constipated. Even when on Neocate for a time as an infant she still was. So we doubt it's a milk allergy but I guess you never know. And we do need to take her for allergy testing ASAP (we have a prescription for the RAST test). Due to her constipation, she's on 1tsp of Miralax daily, which was doing the job until just recently. Now the past 2 weeks or so she's been really constipated again - it hurts her to go, tons of pushing and lots of hard poo. So she cries on the potty, it's an ordeal for her. I do plan to call her Ped tomorrow but it just occurred to me that around the same time the constipation got worse I switched her from 2% milk to 1% (just because that's what DH drinks and it was easier and Ped said it was fine).

Is this likely just a coincidence? Has anyone ever heard of a child being more constipated on lowfat milk than on regular or 2%?

Sorry if wrong board to post this on - wasn't sure where it would fit best!

[~S~]

Maybe it is the fat in the milk that is making the difference, maybe not an allergy.?  When you switched from whole milk to 2% did the constipation worsen?  Poor baby, I hope you find what it is.

[Mydreamcametrue]

Hey Karen:

I actually was always told that if you have a milk intolerance/allergy (which constipation can be the only symptom), that so many can handle 1% or 2% milk because of less of the fat.

It doesn't make sense she would be more constipated on it, unless it is like anything else, your body has to get used to the change (just like a formula change).

Did the constipation start with potty training by chance?  Oh wait, you said she has always been constipated. 

Maybe the allergy test will give you some answers, but she could still have an intolerance to it.

BTW:  I used to give Zach PlumSmart juice everyday.  It helped him a lot and tasted a lot better than prune juice.

[Jimbob]

I know you say she has always suffered with constipation but did it suddenly get worse once you started the potty training?

It could be that her body just needs to get used to as pp said. I am sure you will have thought of this already but has there been anything else new in the diet or something that she only had a little of before and is suddenly eating lots more of?

I hope it gets better soon.

Kelly

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks guys. It's a bit hard to say since she's always suffered from constipation (and it was even worse on Neocate, not better). I think when she first was PT it was the same level but that was only about 6 weeks ago and it's probably been worse for the last 3-4 weeks. Nothing new in the diet either. Argh - so hard to figure out.

[Mydreamcametrue]

Will she eat yogurt?  Yoplait makes a new yogurt with fiber in it.  Yoplait Plus.

Constipation is SO common with Neocate.  It was really bad for Tyler when he had Neocate for a week.

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks Wendy. She does love yogurt but I only give her the all natural brands (Stonyfield Farms, Dannon Natural, etc) as she seemed to have a weird reaction to the Yoplait kids one. And she eats a fair amount of fiber in her breads, cereal and she likes green beans, etc. Really need to somehow get her in for allergy testing this week - it's just been so hard to find time since we're moving house Feb 7!

[~S~]

Have things gotten any better?  Did you figure out what made her worse?

[yaya]

karen, whats her diet like? DS is prone to constipation and so he has minestrone  A  LOT, well any veg soup and it works a treat

[Mom to M&M]

No S we still haven't figured it out. Doc ended up putting her on mineral oil 2x day and that has really helped but of course isn't a long term solution. We move house on Sunday and once we get settled will finally go for the allergy testing. Michelle - thanks for the advice re minestrone! DD's diet it pretty good and varied but it can't hurt to try that too!

[~S~]

Congrats on the move!  Hope settling in goes quickly and smoothly.  Hope  you find the cause quickly.  We are having the opposite problem, and I can't figure out what she is getting that is causing the problem.  But it doesn't seem uncomfortable for her, like constipation is, so I guess I will count my blessings.

[Alison_3]

Not sure if this will help, but when DS2 is constipated even with Miralax, we increase his Miralax dose and give the increased dose every other day until he seems to be back on track.  This is what his GI specialist recommended.  We're waiting for our allergy test results so I completely understand where you're coming from.

I hope the move goes well and your DD gets this sorted out soon! 

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks to you both! S - hope you get your DD's diarrhea sorted out soon. That does help, Allison, thanks. Hope you get some answers from your DS's allergy testing. So crazed with this move!