Constipated Kids, Charleston, SC (2025)

02/15/2022

I’m Back!!
After taking a break from taking on this whole Instagram/private business adventure and being COMPLETELY overwhelmed, I knew it was time for me to come back when I started seeing more and more misinformation being spread about managing constipation in kids from other Instagram accounts.

Y’all stay in your lane!

And for you parents, I am here for your kids and have done this day in and day out in a clinical setting with proven results!

04/15/2021

We’re back after some time away and we have some great suggestions of where to start with your constipated kid!

If you’ve found yourself dealing with a constipated kid or toddler, here are some small changes to make that will help make p**ping a little easier:

* Is your kiddo eating the right amount of fruit and veggies daily? 1-2 pieces of fruit and 2-3 servings of veggies is recommended. Don’t panic if your little one doesn’t like many veggies, focus on those they do like and offer a little more fruit until you expand on veggie options.

* Fluids are important to keep stool hydrated enough to pass through the intestine easily. Fluid needs are based on weight and water is always best! Dairy for kiddos 2 and up is limited to 2 cup equivalents.
* Moving the body stimulates stool to move through the digestive tract and out of the body. Try short walks, jumping around and other fun games that get your little one moving and make it a daily habit.
* The body naturally has its own rhythm and we tend to function better with routines. Having set meal and snack times and then attempting toilet time after eating helps get our bodies back into a routine and p**ping more regularly.

The easiest way to make sure your kiddo is meeting their needs for fruits and veggies, water, and movement is to track it.

Click my link in bio for my free printable tracking log!

03/29/2021

Breath smells like p**p? Due to food not moving through the digestive tract and exiting via p**ping, breath that smells bad or like p**p can happen!

P**p that looks more like rabbit p**p (hard balls) than human is definitely a sign of constipation. This usually means the p**p has been held in long enough for the moisture to be reabsorbed by the colon.

Don’t think they’re constipated because they have liquid bowel movements? Or smears in their underwear? This is a sign that stool is leaking around hard stool, not of normal effective bowel movements.

Bloating, distended belly or abdominal pain are all signs of gas and probable constipation.

Keep record of last bowel movements and symptoms. This will help you identify the patterns and hopefully causes of your child’s issues..

Thankfully I have a free tracker in my link in bio!!! Click for printable!

03/02/2021

On to lunch!!

Packing lunch or eating at home, either way you still need ideas!

Including protein, carbs and fats in a meal is the recipe for keeping your child (or you) happy until snack time.

Consistent intake of fiber from different sources from meal to meal will help your constipated child meet their fiber needs.

Add fiber slowly if your child is not used to eating a source at every meal..gas and bloat can occur if increased too quickly

Above options:

* Quesadilla with side of black beans, tomatoes and avocado 🥑 mash
- Try the kale, spinach, apple recipe on babyfoode.com (highly recommended site)

* Deli meat roll ups with whole grain crackers, a pear and carrots with hummus

02/27/2021

I know you’ve seen the meme floating around that says “the hardest part of parenting is figuring out what to fix at each meal for 18 years“

Well more truth has never left my lips!

It’s sooo hard, and I’m a dietitian!

I have 2 boys, 1 and 3. My 3 year old has anaphylactic allergies to legumes and some nuts...that means adjusting recipes, being creative with ideas for school lunches and the ever revolving door of breakfast 🥞

Having a constipated child throws another hitch! Poor appetite and picky eaters are often a concern I hear from parents and I totally get it!

Who wants to eat when you’re full of 💩

I decided to do a series on meal ideas that are balanced, support bowel health and are easy 👏🏻👏🏻

Prep most of these ahead of time or the night before 🛏 my suggestions will include foods that you may not currently use or or child may be nervous about. I encourage you to start adding these to your child’s daily routine ⏰

Do not sneak these foods into their meal, show them what you are using!

Pictured options (recipes provide >1 serving):

Smoothie and nut butter toast🍞

Smoothie:
* 1 cup berries
* 1/2 cup spinach
* 1/2 cup milk (non-dairy or otherwise)
* 1/2 cup plain kefir (or yogurt non-dairy or otherwise)
* 1 tbsp chia seeds

Nut butter toast:
* 1/2 - 1 slice whole grain toast (try sprouted varieties)
* 1/2-1 tbsp nut butter of choice

Chia seed pudding and whole grain waffle

Chia pudding:
* 1 cup non-dairy milk
* 3 tbsp chia seeds
* Add ins (cinnamon, vanilla, coconut, nutmeg)
* Soak overnight and top with fruit

Whole grain waffle:
* Let’s be real here, there are great frozen options and you can serve with fruit
* Kodiak Cakes Power waffles
* Nature’s Path Flax Plus or Chia Plus
* Eggo Nutrigrain Whole Grain waffle

Or make your own!

02/26/2021

Cha-cha-cha Chia!

Yes that’s right these magic little seeds can work wonders on bowel regularity!

1 tablespoon has 4gm of fiber but most importantly these seeds create a mucilage... meaning that little gel that they create when soaked in water

Try adding them to your child’s daily routine with my suggestions above 👆🏻

If your child is hesitant, try introducing them as a science experiment to see what happens when you soak them in water 💦

*this is not medical advice

02/24/2021

Picky eater? Skin issues like rash/eczema? Mood disorders/concerns with emotional distress? C-section baby? Cconstipated? Bloated? Diarrhea? Constantly sick?

See where I’m going with this? Pretty much everyone can and should take a probiotic DAILY!!

Treat taking probiotics as if you were taking a medication 💊 every 👏🏻single 👏🏻day👏🏻

The majority of bacteria 🦠 found in the large intestine are Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species, so it makes sense that probiotics with specific strains belonging to these species are generally the most beneficial in improving constipation.

These strains have been shown to improve stool 💩 consistency and frequency:
* Bifidobacterium animalis
* Bifidobacterium lactis HN019
* Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010
* Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
* Lactobacillus plantarum
* Streptococcus thermophilus
* Lactobacillus reuteri
* Bifidobacterium longum

So say it with me...🎶 we should all take a probiotic 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤓

*immune compromised Individuals should talk to their health providers first

02/19/2021

Babies 👶🏽 born vaginally have different gut bacteria 🦠 than those delivered by c-section

Clinical research 🔬 has demonstrated that babies born vaginally get most of their gut bacteria from their mother 🤰

Babies born via c-section had more bacteria 🦠 associated with hospital 🏥 environments in their guts

We’re finding that this alteration in the microbiome 🦠 puts us at risk for so many different chronic illnesses 😷 and mood disorders, and this is a relatively new field of study, so be prepared to have your 🤯 in the future

Here we focus on constipation though...

Disruption of the intestinal microbiome is considered a causing factor in pediatric functional constipation and functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as infantile colic, reflux.

Clinical research has also shown the chance of developing allergies for c-section babies is five times greater than for those born naturally when exposed to high levels of common allergens in the home, including those from cats, dogs, and dust mites. The chance of cow’s milk allergy was also twice as high as vaginal birth babies.

So head to my link in bio for my favorite probiotics pics on Amazon..

Consider using the Prebiotics from .health -made from chicory root inulin and Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs). These ingredients support digestive regularity, growth of our own good gut bacteria and HMOs are also beneficial in building the immune system..

Follow along for more!

02/17/2021

Let’s try this again!
These are my ✨go to✨ recommendations for probiotics for kids

Each of these has:
* Multiple different bacteria 🦠 strains
* Balanced mix of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus
* Appropriate dosage for kids

The strains in each of these options has been shown in clinical studies🥼 to improve bowel frequency and decrease symptoms like belly pain, straining and incomplete emptying.💩

I’ve included choices for every type of supplement taker
* Liquid
* Chewable
* Powder

These are high quality brands that I trust and use in my own family 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

***children with compromised immune systems should not take probiotics***

Take your probiotic choice to your pediatrician to ensure it will not interfere with any medications your child takes

02/09/2021

Are you currently contemplating switching your child off of dairy due to constipation?

Not every child has to remove dairy from their diet, but if you’re at your wits end and have tried EVERYTHING else… Let’s remove dairy for an experimental trial…

Let’s focus on the obvious dairy and not nit pick packaged foods that may have dairy in them

Remove cow’s milk, yogurt and cheese

Today we’re just talking milk

“But Kate! My child drinks so much milk every day, what will I do?!”

Swapping out cow’s milk for plant based milks is not a 1:1 swap. Things to consider when choosing a dairy alternative:
* Calories per cup
* Protein grams (gm) per cup
* Added sugar
* Additives like gums and oils
* Cost

Cow’s Milk (whole fat) Nutrition in 1 cup (8 oz)-
* 150 Calories
* 8 gm Protein
* 8 gm Fat

Here are some options if cow’s milk is out..CALORIES & PROTEIN & FAT DIFFER FROM BRAND TO BRAND below are examples

If you have a child with growth concerns, choose from these options as they provide more calories and protein similar to cow’s milk:
Per 1 cup (8 oz) serving-

* Oat Milk- 110 calories, 3 gm protein, 1.5 gm fat
* Pea Protein Milk- 90 calories, 8 gm protein, 4.5 gm fat
* H**p Milk- 60-80 calories, 3 gm protein, 4.5 gm fat
* Flax Milk- up to 110 calories, 1-7 gm protein, 2.5 gm fat

If your child’s growth and appetite are not a concern, choose from all the above AND these options:
Per 1 cup (8 oz) serving-

* Nut Milks (Almond, Coconut, Cashew)- nut milks are notoriously low in calories (30+ per 8 oz) and protein (

02/02/2021

As promised!

Loaded Chocolate Muffins..using what I had in my kitchen, I wanted a high fiber muffin that any kid would love to eat but also a muffin that could provide more energy in the form of protein and fat, which are both super important for ALL bodies!

So on Saturday I baked!

I have to say it was great and in all honesty, I haven’t done much baking and my cooking has been lacking in the latter half of this year long pandemic.

Whew! Story for another day..😅

I had zucchini and spinach 🥬 that I wanted to use before they went bad and some cooked quinoa leftovers. I searched for recipes and found a few I liked but nothing that worked. has a wonderful Carrot Quinoa Muffin and I loved how she used the quinoa to provide protein and fiber so I took a cue from her and adjusted my ingredients to suite my chocolate desires and zucchini problems.

These muffins ended up with the perfect amount of protein, fiber and fat to be used as a snack or as part of a meal. They also pack well in the lunch box.

Store in the refrigerator for best keeping but I’ll warn you…they won’t last long!

This recipe makes around 18 regular sized muffins

Nutrition Facts in 1 muffin:
170 Calories
27 gm Carbs
4 gm Fiber
5 gm Protein
2.5 gm Iron

Link in bio to chat or DM me

**p

01/27/2021

Just checked the mailbox last night and was stoked to get my monthly shipment of .health Growing Up Prebiotic!

It’s a prebiotic (feeds good gut bacteria 🦠) that uses HMO’s -human milk oligosaccharides and chicory root fiber to help support digestive health.

HMO’s are a complex sugar naturally present in large amounts in human breast milk and are indigestible.

HMO’s are know to do the following:
* Establish and grow the gut microbiome
* Prevent viral and bacterial adhesion in the gut
* Build immune support
* And so much more research being done!

This product really has the potential to be life changing for so many kids experiencing constipation!

My toddler can’t taste or tell any difference when added to water!

Check out their website- 7 day trial available and 100% worth it!

**p

01/26/2021

🚨4 CAUSES OF CONSTIPATION🚨

4 recurring themes exist in the search for the cause of constipation. I think they play off of each other as symptoms and can occur in any order ✅

And then I go down my rabbit 🐇 hole 🕳 of gut dysbiosis and the gut-brain axis and 🤓..

So let’s look at those 4️⃣ things:

* Diet 🍔is generally the #1 cause of constipation in children. Unbalanced fiber intake and too little fluid intake all impact stool quality and transit out of the body. Too much dairy intake or intake of other foods that may cause intolerance can all cause and worsen constipation.

* Gut Dysbiosis 💊 is an imbalance of our gut flora within our intestines. Gut flora have an important role in digestion and immune support and when out of balance can have a negative impact on both! I think we should talk more about this soon!

* Holding their p**p 💩 or refusing to p**p can happen after your child experiences a painful bowel movement and is afraid of experiencing that again. One of the best ways to PREVENT this is to establish a routine with your child. Have meals at the same time every day and planned toilet time after meals. This helps establish routines for your child and their body. Check out childmind.org for a free guide to handling emotions with your child.

* Anxiety/Changes to routine 😫can cause significant issues for children that parents sometimes have zero idea 💡 of. Think about not being able to p**p while being away from home on a trip..the body reacts to external changes in environment and internal changes in homeostasis.

What questions do you have 🙋🏻‍♀️

01/20/2021

Did you know that Vitamin C can be used as a stool softener?!

It sure can!

When used in amounts closest to the Upper Intake Limits, Vitamin C can cause the bowels to pull water into the intestines, hydrating the stool!

Let’s start with what’s recommended for a healthy diet:

Ages 1-3: 15 mg daily
Ages 4-8: 25 mg daily

Vitamin C Upper Intake Limits (amount tolerated before unpleasant symptoms...like watery stool 🤔😉)

* 400 mg for ages 1–3 years
* 650 mg for ages 4–8 years

The body’s needs for Vit C can change during illness and the amount of Vit C your child requires to help soften stools is unique to them 🧒🏾👦🏽👧🏽👧🏻

🌟Start with these options 👇🌟

•ChildLife Essentials Liquid Vitamin C
•MaryRuth’s Baby Vitamin C Liquid Drops
•Garden of Life Baby Vitamin C Liquid

ChildLife Essentials Garden of Life

**p

01/13/2021

Day 4 of not p**ping? Day 5? Need to clean out?

Focus on fluids and remember that your child’s appetite may be poor.

Provide foods high in sorbitol as these can help along a bowel movement!

➡️ Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that passes through a person’s body undigested.
➡️It draws water into the gut to bulk up the stool and stimulate a bowel movement
➡️Research suggests that sorbitol is an effective laxative that is safe to use

Foods High in Sorbitol (per 100 gm of food)
* Prunes - 6.5 gm
* Peaches (dried)- 5.3 gm
* Apricots (dried)- 4.6 gm
* Apple (dried)- 2.5 gm
* Pears - 2.2 gm
* Dates- 1.4 gm

There are no set guidelines on the use of these foods for constipation.

When it comes to eating prunes for digestive issues, many studies base their findings on eating 100 g, or approximately 10 prunes.

Recipes:

Pear Slushie:
* 1 Ripe Pear
* 1/2 cup ice
* 1/4 cup apple juice
* 1/4 cup water
* Blend all ingredients together
* Serves 1-2

Peach and Prune Jam: appropriate as a purée for younger kids
* 1/4 cup prunes
* 1/4 cup dried peaches
* 3/4 cup water- adjust as needed
* Add all ingredients to sauce pan and simmer until fruit is able to be mashed into jam, ~20 min

OR

Offer these dried fruits as a snack on their own as age appropriate.

Remember ☝️whole foods are better than juice due to fiber content

**p

01/10/2021

This is me coming at you as not only a professional, but as a parent..

I have a child with food allergies. He requires epi pens and has severe anaphylactic reactions to his offending foods.

As a pediatric dietitian, when I talk to parents of children with food allergies, I always make a point to say that the recipe/formulation of a food can change at any time and become unsafe.

Our offending foods include legumes:
•peas
•lentils
•chickpeas

Veggie straws..as we real moms know, are easy real life snacks

Today I broke my own rule and didn’t even pay attention to the package until I was loading my groceries.

I was honestly floored.

My child is 3 and allergic to peas, of all things.

We’ll adjust though and find an alternative.

This is a reminder that we are all out here trying our best to raise our mini humans and though we may have different problems, we’re all in it together 🙌🏻

Sensible Portions see above

01/07/2021

Come on..I know you want to know the answer
🍌
🍌
🍌

❌NO!!

Bananas do not cause constipation! Say it with me!

Sooo many parents actually restrict this nutritious source of FIBER due to the old wives tale that it will cause/worsen constipation.

Bananas are pretty special though..

When they’re green (unripe), they have higher starch content, specifically RESISTANT STARCH

Resistant starch are not digested and pass through the digestive tract unchanged where they act as soluble fiber

Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel during digestion, aiding in transit of stool out of the body 💩🚽😁

Green bananas are now being produced into flours and pulp, since they are not as palatable as yellow (ripe) bananas.

Studies have been done using green banana flour alone and in conjunction with bowel medications and was able to show significant reduction in participants reporting Bristol Stool Type 1-2 (painful, cracked, hard), improved frequency of bowel movements and reduction in medication use.

When bananas turn yellow (ripe) they still contain starch, just not RESISTANT STARCH.

At this point, they are yummy, easy finger food and full of nutrients. Easy to bake with, add to recipes, or just enjoy 😊

Here’s some info:
Kids 1-4 need 1 Cup fruit/day
🍌
Kids 4-8 need 1-1.5 Cups fruit/day
🍌
1 Cup serving = 1/2 Cup dried fruit, 1 small whole fruit or 1/2 large whole fruit
🍌
1/2 large banana = 1 fruit serving

*As always, remember that every body is different and tolerates foods differently

DM me or schedule a time to chat about your kiddo!

Constipated Kids