regular constipation

[ally'smommy]

my 3 year old has regular constipation.  she is also small, 30 lbs, so it is hard to feed her high fiber foods that help her constipation and still allow her to gain weight.  when she eats high fiber foods, she won't eat as much as she should and therefore doesn't gain weight.  to add to the trouble, i give her nutritional drinks to help her gain weight cause she is so picky.  could i start mixing some benefiber with her milk and help her get fiber that way?

[nicobella]

constipation doesn't only mean that you have infrequent bowel movements. you can be contipated and go to the bathroom once a day. it is what your feces looks like that counts. a hard stool that "plops" in the water like a rock making a splash means that you most likey are constipated. your stool is supposed to be softer and come out shaped like an "S" and make more of a swoosh or NO sound when hitting the water.
Firm small balls are an example of constipation. --like marbles or something.
hope this helps.

[LukeL]

first make sure that she actually has constipation. Constipation would be not less then 3 bowel movements a week. (although in children I am unsure if this is true)

It also makes sense that she is unwilling to eat high fiber foods as these are quite filling and usually don't taste good to children.

I would consult her pediatrician before trying to give her any medication or supplements.