[chemmom]

My 20-month old daughter poops every other day. Is this normal? And when she starts pooping, it takes her up to 2 hours to poop. When she's finished she's exhausted and there's always a small trace of blood in the big ball of poop. How can I help her not suffer during "pooping" time? My mom has started inserting 1/2 a suppository every time my daughter has been pushing for more than 1/2 an hour. However, I don't want to get her used to these. How about probiotics? She's a very healthy little girl, this is the only problem she has.

[MsMewiththat]

This is best left up to the Dr. have you consulted your physician? It could easily be a intestinal issue. I really think that you should consult her primary physician.

[J_9]

You need to consult your pediatrician about this. There are many reasons for constipation, but this needs to be addressed by a professional.

[southerngalps]

As everyone said... see a doctor.

When I was young, I wouldn't want to go to the bathroom and therefore I would hold my "poop". It caused a serious build up and my mom did have to give me suppositories.

She did take me to the doctor, though.

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes this is not really normal, what type of diet is the child on.

[chemmom]

My daughter is on a normal diet. She eats well. Lately, though, vegetables and fruits are not her favorites, not like when she was younger. And she doesn't like to drink water so I have to dilute her milk with water, just to get her to drink some water.

[MsMewiththat]

That's part of the problem, water is crucial to your body. It's possible that the combination of what she is eating is making it very difficult for her to digest. I think she could be chronically constipated. Your Dr may be able to refer you all to a nutritionist or something to determine if she needs more fiber and less binding food.

[jillrenee15]

Of course, take her to the doctor, but while you are doing that, substitute her normal juice for watered prune juice, or mix her apple juice with prune juice. Also, those dried pitted prunes that come in containers, they are awesome, and kids think they are big fruit snacks. One or two of them a day would really help too. She has learned that it hurts to go, so she's holding back as long as possible, and that makes it even worse. If you can get some movement in her system, she won't be able to hold back. Good luck!

[twinkiedooter]

Diluting her milk is DANGEROUS!! Stop this practice as you can cause some serious health problems for your child. Please consult your child's doctor as no child needs to strain for 2 hours. That is not good for her insides.

[NowWhat]

Diluting her milk is DANGEROUS!!! Stop this practice as you can cause some serious health problems for your child. Please consult your child's doctor as no child needs to strain for 2 hours. That is not good for her insides.

I am just curious - why is "dangerous" to dilute a 20 month old's milk?

[chemmom]

My daughter won't drink juice either. She use to love drinking prune juice when she was still drinking out of her bottle. Now she'll only drink milk from a sippy cup.

[NowWhat]

Does she drink from a straw? They make spill proof cups that use straws.
Maybe she would like that better?

My sister's daughter had this problem. She took her to the doctor and they added mineral oil and prunes to her diet. It helped her.

Make sure to go to your doctor and get her checked out. SHe could have a food allergy that you have never picked up on.

[danielnoahsmommy]

Children need the fat, but I don't know why diluting it would be considered dangerous/ I would contact her doctor to discuss her constipation

[this8384]

Agree with most of the previously posted answers; I also have a 20-month-old. She doesn't poop every day, but she doesn't strain, either. I make sure she gets plenty of "roughage" so to speak - raisins, whole grain foods, etc.

I'd lay off the suppositories, as it's easy for such a little one to become dependent on something else to make her go rather than her own body. Definitely discuss this with your pediatrician, though.