Re: toddler constipated - Milk of Magnesium question

Hi, I'm a bit late jumping in here but I'm wondering if there has been any improvement in your childs regularity?

Given how you describe her eating habits and that she is drinking adequate volumes of fluids it's difficult to rule out the possibility that she just has a lazy bowel.

If possible, I would recommend that you try to get her to a naturopathic physician for a diagnosis. If you take her to an M.D. they would probably either tell you to not worry about it or send her for tests to determine if she may have a case of Hirschprung's disease.

Hirschprungs is a somewhat uncommon, but hardly rare, situation where a short section of the descending colon is missing the muscles that cause peristalsis. Severe cases can be fatal and must be treated surgically (with a high rate of success), but mild cases can be managed with regular cleansing enemas.

The naturopath I work with typically treats a few of these children each year, and I usually get involved cleaning them out and counseling the parents on how to manage with the enema program at home. It's somewhat inconvenient but not as bad as you might think, especially when the child is willing to cooperate.

When the parent is debating whether to have corrective surgery performed or managing with regular enemas my N.D. usually suggests waiting until the child is in their teens before making a final decision so as to allow the child to make a decision that they will be living with long term.

It's interesting that with the ones we have kept contact with over the years, most who make the choice in their mid to late teens have tended to stay with enemas daily or every other day throughout their life.

If you have questions or concerns I'll be happy to try to answer them.

Best wishes for natural health to you and your daughter,

Valerie