Eliminating Stomach and Bowel Disorders in Toddlers

A daycare provider reported to parents that the children in her care were experiencing stomach pain and painful bowel movements. The parents reported that they noticed this problem at home but thought that it was just normal. It seems disorders of the stomach and bowels in infants and toddlers is one of the most prevalent complaints of children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years of age.

Pediatricians report that they regularly see this problem in children who are being weaned off breast milk. The general opinion of Pediatricians is that this is a behavioral disorder. In some cases, this may be true. But this diagnosis is little consolation to parents who listen to their precious child screaming in the bathroom.

Pediatric nurses cite the problem as children holding in their stools when they approach the potty training stage. Most physicians take a "wait and see attitude" to see if the problem goes away as the child ages. Other than the stomach pains and impacted bowels, these children seem healthy . From a physical view, they don't have problems until it is time to either go to the bathroom or digest their food properly.

Parents are dismayed by the problem. The parents want to bypass the old fashioned remedies. Parents demand tests and other invasive medical procedures to get to the bottom of these stomach problems. The parent has to endure the crying and fretting of children who are experiencing this constant discomfort.

One 2-year-old child was admitted to the hospital to undergo a series of tests. The test results were all negative. There was no medical reason for the problem. The final solution per the Pediatric Gastroenterologist was to give the child an enema and a prescription for an adult laxative.

The Pediatricians suggested a change of diet in addition to the laxative. One mother did not take the suggestion of the Doctors. She knew that there was something wrong with a child that cries when trying to have a bowel movement. In addition, after eating certain foods, the mother noticed that the child complained that her stomach hurt.