Constipation isn’t something people usually want to talk about, or hear about, but it happens. I recently had to face some options on what to do because my daughter was very constipated. I tried the 100% juice, water, grapes, watermelon, and nothing worked. So I actually had to go the next step and get a kids laxative that has managed to help her some, but she’s still a bit constipated from what I can tell. I went to WebMD and found some info on toddler constipation that helped me and might help you if you are ever faced with this problem:

The goal is to help your child to have soft, comfortable stools again. In toddlers, constipation is almost always related to diet, so a step-by-step approach that targets what she eats and drinks is the best way to treat this condition:

1. Make sure your child is drinking enough fluids — juice, milk and water. If your child is dehydrated, her stool will become harder, leading to constipation. It is particularly important for your child to stay hydrated in hot weather.

2. Increase your child’s fiber intake. Many fresh fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit daily for 2- to 6-year-olds.

3. Try giving your child mineral oil. Mineral oil coats the stool and helps it slide easily through the intestines.

I recommend that parents start by giving their child 2 teaspoons of mineral oil twice a day, for a 20- to 30-pound toddler. Thereafter, increase the dosage by 1 teaspoon every other day until the child is passing soft stool and any anal fissures have healed. (Mineral oil tastes awful, but it can be well-disguised in shakes, juice, Jell-O and ice cream.)

4. Encourage your child to sit on the toilet after meals. Children who have experienced painful bowel movements are often reluctant to sit on the toilet. But the longer a child avoids going to the bathroom, the harder the stool will become.

5. Consider eliminating milk from your child’s diet. On occasion, a child can become constipated due to a cow’s milk allergy or sensitivity.

I especially found the information about mineral oil useful and it sounds like a good alternative to over-the-counter laxatives. I hope you find the information useful for your situation as well.