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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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1.7 Yr Old Having Bowel Problems, Using Dulcolax Suppository Daily, Cries And Yells With Pain. Any Other Solution ?

my baby is 1.7 years old, she is having problems with having bowel movements daily. per our pediatricians advise we are using dulcolax suppository on a daily basis to help her evacuate. but in the process, it seems our baby is having extreme trouble with the medication , its very unberaable to see her cry and yell. is there any alternative and healthy solution for this?
Tue, 6 Nov 2012
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Pediatrician, Neonatology 's  Response
Hi
Constipation is very common problem in children. Do the following to manage it.

1. Give her lot of fluid. Inadequate hydration is the major cause behind many cases of constipation. Ensure that your child drinks 2-3 glass water daily.

2. Modify her diet. Add foods with more dietary fiber contents [ green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole and shredded wheat, cereals, un-refined grains etc and lower foods with less dietary fibers[ white bread, refined grains, banana, meat]. Drinking much milk may cause constipation in some children.

3. Sometime child retains bowel due to the uneasy feeling, changed environment, fear or just to save some play time. Retained stool get harder as moisture is absorbed from it. As, it is painful to evacuate the hard stool, child try to retain it. The vicious cycle goes on. Encourage your child to spend more time in toilet and make a healthy habit of daily bowel evacuation.

Remember, Dulcolax suppository is a rescue medicine and it should be used in emergency cases only. Daily use of it is not recommended. Oral laxatives medicine [lactulose, milk of magnesia, docusate] can be used for longer time and these could be alternate choice in your case.

Please get your child examined by pediatrician before starting alternate medicines.
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1.7 Yr Old Having Bowel Problems, Using Dulcolax Suppository Daily, Cries And Yells With Pain. Any Other Solution ?

Hi Constipation is very common problem in children. Do the following to manage it. 1. Give her lot of fluid. Inadequate hydration is the major cause behind many cases of constipation. Ensure that your child drinks 2-3 glass water daily. 2. Modify her diet. Add foods with more dietary fiber contents [ green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole and shredded wheat, cereals, un-refined grains etc and lower foods with less dietary fibers[ white bread, refined grains, banana, meat]. Drinking much milk may cause constipation in some children. 3. Sometime child retains bowel due to the uneasy feeling, changed environment, fear or just to save some play time. Retained stool get harder as moisture is absorbed from it. As, it is painful to evacuate the hard stool, child try to retain it. The vicious cycle goes on. Encourage your child to spend more time in toilet and make a healthy habit of daily bowel evacuation. Remember, Dulcolax suppository is a rescue medicine and it should be used in emergency cases only. Daily use of it is not recommended. Oral laxatives medicine [lactulose, milk of magnesia, docusate] can be used for longer time and these could be alternate choice in your case. Please get your child examined by pediatrician before starting alternate medicines.