Constipation in Children: The Natural Remedies That Helped My Child When Medicine Failed
- Amani AbouAmmo
- Mar 13
- 5 min read
The Night I Thought My Child Had Cancer
There are moments in parenting that change you forever. One of those moments came when my daughter M was three years old. She suddenly developed severe abdominal pain — the kind of pain that makes a small child curl into themselves and cry in ways you have never heard before.
We rushed to the hospital. Doctors ran tests for days:
Abdominal X-rays
Blood work
Endoscopy
Then came the words no parent should ever hear.
They believed they had found a lump in her colon and suspected pancreatic cancer.
For several days I lived inside that nightmare.
And then something strange happened.
Without explanation, we were suddenly discharged.
No one explained the “lump.”No one explained the diagnosis.No one explained anything.
The Truth Behind the “Tumor”
Just a few days later, the pain returned.
We rushed to another hospital.
This time she was admitted for two full weeks.
A doctor reviewed her earlier records and looked carefully at the very first abdominal X-ray taken at the first hospital. The answer had been there all along.
Severe constipation!
By the time they realized this, M had developed a colon obstruction. Because she was born extremely premature at 27 weeks, her body was tiny and fragile. Doctors had to use every method available to clear her colon:
Strong laxatives
Enemas
Multiple interventions
It took an entire week to clear her system. Three weeks in the hospital — all because of constipation.
The Conventional Treatment: Miralax
After the obstruction was resolved, doctors placed M on Miralax permanently.
They also added Senna tablets as additional support. At first I followed their instructions.
But what happened next pushed me to question everything.
The Miralax Side Effects That Made Me Stop
Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350) works by pulling water into the colon to soften stool.
But when I started researching it deeply, I discovered concerns reported by many families.
Potential side effects include:
Chronic watery stool
Abdominal cramps
Bloating
Electrolyte imbalance
Nausea
Loss of natural bowel movement sensation
Dehydration
Long-term laxative dependence
Behavioral symptoms reported by parents
What we experienced:
Constant watery stool
Severe cramps
No bowel sensation
Endless messy accidents
The medical recommendation?
Delay potty training and continue Miralax.
I knew there had to be another way.
The First Natural Solution That Helped: Prebiotics
The first breakthrough came when I introduced prebiotics. Prebiotics feed beneficial bacteria in the gut and support microbiome balance. Within two weeks something remarkable happened:
Stool became formed again
M could feel her bowel movements
Digestive rhythm returned
But there was still one issue.
Sometimes the colon did not empty completely.
Switching From Senna Tablets to Real Senna Herb
During one GI appointment I mentioned my concern about Senna tablets.
The doctor replied:
“Senna is natural. It comes from a plant.”
That statement sent me on another path.
Instead of tablets, I found the actual Senna herb.
My Senna Preparation
Boil 8 oz water
Remove from heat
Add 1 teaspoon Senna herb and let steep
Divide into four portions
Administration:
One portion morning, and One portion night, for two days
This method helps clear stool buildup when necessary.
Important note
Some people experience abdominal cramping with Senna.
In those cases:
Give Senna at bedtime
Use a diaper or double diaper overnight
Because when it works, it works powerfully.
Natural Constipation Remedies That Helped the Most
These became the core tools that supported M’s digestion.
👉🏻 Prebiotics
Support healthy gut bacteria and improve bowel regularity.
👉🏻 Prunes
Either:
Prune juice or
Blended prunes added to food
Prunes contain sorbitol, a natural compound that stimulates bowel movements.
👉🏻 Senna Herb
Used occasionally to clear accumulated stool.
When Formula Caused a Microbiome Problem
Constipation in tube-fed children can be particularly challenging because diet changes, formulas, and microbiome shifts can affect digestion quickly. A year ago a nutritionist suggested adding Kate Farms formula to M’s routine. She had been on Real Food Blends (RFB) for years. At first everything seemed fine. But slowly something unusual began happening. M developed:
Excess urination
Continuous leaking
Dark yellow urine
Strong odor
Sometimes an alcohol-like smell
A urologist recommended increasing water intake to 1 liter daily. The problem became worse.
The Breakthrough From Our Naturopathic Doctor
Our naturopath asked detailed questions about:
Diet
Supplements
Water intake
Formula changes
Her conclusion was unexpected.
She suspected Kate Farms formula was fermenting in M’s gut.
Fermentation in the digestive tract can produce:
alcohol-like metabolites
microbiome disruption
abnormal urine odor
I removed Kate Farms and returned to 100% Real Food Blends. Within two weeks, the symptoms disappeared! 😁
When Constipation Returned Again
Diet changes always affect the gut microbiome. And with that shift, constipation returned. This time Senna was not enough. So I tried something new.
Aloe Vera Juice: The Natural Solution That Finally Worked
I introduced organic Aloe Vera juice.
Aloe contains compounds that support digestive function:
Polysaccharides that support gut repair
Mucilage that coats intestinal lining
Digestive enzymes
Anti-inflammatory compounds
Electrolytes
Most importantly, Aloe Vera works as a natural intestinal lubricant, helping stool move through the colon without irritation.
How I Used It
I give 1 oz of Aloe Vera juice at night.
After a few days, bowel movements return to normal.
Important tips
Sodium and electrolytes are important
Warm fluids stimulate bowel movement
One Early Sign My Child Is Constipated
One of the earliest signs is simple. She refuses to eat!
Recognizing early signs prevents severe constipation episodes.
Bach Flower Remedies That Can Support Digestive Stress
Digestive issues are often connected to emotional stress in children. Bach Flower Remedies can gently support emotional balance during digestive challenges.
Crab Apple
Known as the cleansing remedy, often used when the body feels overloaded.
Walnut
Supports the body during changes, including diet shifts affecting the microbiome.
Mimulus
Helpful for fear of pain, especially when bowel movements are uncomfortable.
Cherry Plum
Supports release when tension prevents natural bowel movement.
How to Use
Add 2 drops of each selected remedy into 30 oz of distilled water
Offer small sips throughout the day or mix with food/drink.
These remedies are extremely gentle and suitable for children when diluted.
A Final Thought for Parents Facing Childhood Constipation
Looking back, it’s hard to believe that something as common as constipation led to weeks of hospitalizations and even a misdiagnosis. But that experience taught me something powerful:
The digestive system is deeply connected to food, microbiome balance, hydration, and gentle plant support. When those are addressed, the body often finds its way back to normal.
For our child, the tools that made the biggest difference were simple and natural:
Prebiotics to support gut bacteria
Prunes for natural bowel stimulation
Senna herb for occasional clearing
Aloe vera juice to lubricate the intestines
Every child is different, especially children with complex medical needs. But learning to recognize early signs and supporting digestion naturally can make a tremendous difference.
Sometimes the most effective approach to chronic constipation in children is not stronger medication — but understanding the body and working with it.
And for many families, that journey begins with something simple:
Looking at digestion through a natural lens.
Scientific References
Mugie SM, Benninga MA, Di Lorenzo C.Epidemiology of constipation in children and adults.Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology. 2011.
Tabbers MM et al.Evaluation and treatment of functional constipation in infants and children.Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2014.
Wald A.Constipation: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment.JAMA. 2016.
Ulbricht C et al.Aloe vera: A systematic review of its clinical effectiveness.Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy. 2008.
Slavin J.Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits.Nutrients. 2013.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Senna: Uses and Safety.
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