Constipation and not eating

[fcroxy]

Apologies in advance as this is going to be a long one.

Its two different issues but connected I'm sure.

First off, constipation. Harper (14 months) started to get constipated around Christmas. I put her lactulose on Christmas Eve as I couldn't get an appointment with the GP. Once Christmas passed we went to the GP as she was no better who just kept prescribing other laxatives which didn't help much. A few weeks back she started going more 'normal' but once I stopped the lactulose she stopped going again! Again more trips to GP to be palmed off again saying these things happen with babies!

She's never been constipated before for so long, maybe a few days, but we're coming up to 6/7 weeks now! She goes okay when on lactulose but once that's stopped, even for a day, she really struggles to go again, surly that's not right?

And the next thing, she's just not eating! Recently she has barely eaten anything, some days no food will pass her lips at all. Again this has been going on for well over a month now, and yeh it is probably connected to being constipated and not having an appetite but now I'm beginning to wonder if theres something else causing it or whether now it's just turned into habit?

Again I've been SO many time back and forth to the GP, who says thing like babies so through a stage of not eating, it's because she's constipated, she's drinking milk so there's no harm! It's like banging my head against a brick wall, my doctors are shit!

I have tried everything to make her eat, tv on/off, in highchair, sat on the floor with her, eating at same time, spoon feeding, letting her feed herself, mashed and pureed food again, jars/pouches, finger foods, congratulating her when she's had a mouthful of food! Literally everything I can think of but nothing seems to make a difference. There isn't even one thing in particular I know she will eat, it's as if she just hates food all of a sudden Just to add, she is still drinking milk (she's on cows milk now)

I last got harper weighed 2nd jan and she was 22 7oz. I weighed her tonight on my scales and it said 19 18oz. That seems a lot to loose in a month? My scales might not be completely accurate but I don't think they are that much out.

Needless to say I am not happy with the way we've been brushed off for so long and after a very stressful day and again no food eaten by harper we are off to see the HV tomorrow to get weighed properly and then the GP to actually do something about this! I am taking my mum as back up as I seem to get nowhere on my own. They probably think I'm a neurotic first time mum.

I really don't know what I'm looking for, maybe advice? A rant? God knows. I just feel very emotional with all the stress and worry. Has anyone else had similar problems with their LOs? X

 

[Mrs M]

My boy used to suffer terrible with constipation, but some one recommended to me oranges/fresh orange.

So he now has a drink of fresh orange with breakfast which is usually Weetabix, and a Satsuma after lunch and tea. Now he goes twice per day, usually quite easily, if he holds it in due to playing then he struggles to go later. He is 2yrs 8 months. It could be worth a try x

 

[fcroxy]

I have tried fresh oj watered down and normal but she won't drink it. She will sometimes have a few small mouthfuls.

I've also tried giving satsumas but she won't eat then. I think it may be the texture because as soon as it touches her mouth she pulls a face.

Thanks for the ideas tho. I will try oj again in the morning and maybe try it in a different beaker. X

 

[Rooster30]

My boy used to suffer terrible with constipation, but some one recommended to me oranges/fresh orange.

So he now has a drink of fresh orange with breakfast which is usually Weetabix, and a Satsuma after lunch and tea. Now he goes twice per day, usually quite easily, if he holds it in due to playing then he struggles to go later. He is 2yrs 8 months. It could be worth a try x

My son has this too, daily, but just didn't budge anything for him. His constipation must have been hardcore as prune juice did nothing also. He's now on a mild laxative which makes him go little and often, however there is still a 3 day gap between big poops

 

[juliekim0908]

Have you tried contacting your health visitor? I find my GP's are awful too!

But if I try them a fey times and get no where, I ask my HV who usually gets me seen by the paediatrician assessment unit the same day or next. Their usually a lot better. x

 

[fcroxy]

I am going to try HV today. I haven't had chance to go before as I started a part time childcare course which ran the same time as drop in clinic in my local surgery. I have now found another surgery in the next town who have a clinic today.

I'm not leaving without any answers today. Another horrendous night and harper crying whilst straining to go, she also has no appetite again this morning and doesn't even want any milk which is unusual x

 

[Mummy to one]

Hi there,

I literally could have wrote this post my self. My son has been the exact same since before Christmas. I finally got a medicine called senical last week which has been my saviour...!

Ask to be referred to a paediatrician I've been told that they can provide stronger medicine!

Regarding the eating... I'm stumped with this one As I can't get my little one to eat at all either I've started going to a health eating class for kids for tips!

Xx

 

[Deltrude]

My youngest has suffered constipation for awhile and when it was really had she did get poorly/wouldn't eat so that's deffinitely connected I would say.

The only things that seem to help now that I can get her to do is to drink some smoothie (watered down at first but now she likes drinking them), this in itself seems to help keep her more regular and not have to struggle so hard to go.

Also if she's trying to poop and struggling, a warm bath can usually help.

 

[Ella1979]

I actually came across something by an NHS Trust about constipation after my daughter had another poo with a bit of blood (she has a fissure, due to holding her poo because she doesn't want to go in the potty/loo and causing constipation, then finally a huge hard poo that causes the fissure to appear again, pain, followed by more poo holding to stop the pain). Anyhow, their suggestion was a combination of lactulose and Senakot. Lactulose makes the poo soft and Senakot ensures they poo frequently.

Is it possible Harper has a tear or something that is making it painful to poo now and that's why she isn't eating? When stuff's at its worst, Eleanor stops eating and even moving (e.g. asks to be carried upstairs) in order to stop herself pooing.

I have found that she will eat bran muffins (recipe in an Annabel Karmel book) and these are pretty good for getting things going.

I hope you get some answers from the HV today xx

 

[fcroxy]

Thanks for the replies.

Ella, the doctor did check harpers bottom for a tear a few weeks back and there was nothing. It could of happened since then. I will ask HV to check today.

Deltrude, that's a good idea about the smoothie, I've been worrying about the lack of fruit she has been eating and been buying the Ella's kitchen fruit pouches but she won't touch it really.

Mummy to one, it's so hard isn't it I'm constantly worried at how little harper is eating. Every meal time is so stressful, I dread it. X

 

[iWitch]

Would she eat yogurt? A bit of bio yogurt might help if she's not used to it? Introducing good bacteria loosens then up as I discovered this the other day

 

[fcroxy]

Yoghurt is a hit and miss, she will eat frubes fine but anything off a spoon she will not eat anymore. Sometimes she'll eat a yoghurt herself with her hands. I'll buy some and try her with it.

So trip to HV went well, she is putting in a referral for a bowel specialist as the problem has been ongoing for a while now and laxatives she's been prescribed haven't helped much. Also because there is family history of bowel problems, my mum has a twisted bowel, they think it's best to investigate.

HV said the lack of eating is down to harper being constipated so not to worry too much about it.

I can't believe how nice and helpful they were today. I went to a different clinic and will defo be going back there x

 

[juliekim0908]

Glad somethings going to be done =) Hope things get better soon x