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Constipation in infants
My identical twin boys are 16 months old and often suffer from constipation. The paediatrician suggested lactulose and feeding them more fruit and veg. We also find it difficult to get them to drink anything other than milk. Can you help?
A good infant probiotic will help maintain healthy levels of those gut bacteria that aid digestion. I recommend Biocare's Strawberry or Banana-flavoured Acidophilus, which is suitable for kids over the age of six months. (For mail order, call 0121-433 3727).
Another good way to improve the diet in children this young is to buy a blender and get into the habit of making smoothies and your own health juices. A favourite in our household is the Lip-smacking Lassi where we blend soya milk and yoghurt or silky tofu with manuka honey to make a basic Lassi protein drink; and then add other fruits, say mango or banana for variety. You can also add acidophilus powder or other herbal tinctures to help the problem. Ginger, for example, can relieve gut spasm. Chamomile can soothe a fractious child.
We use the bucket method of blending - ie throw it all in and adjust to taste. If you need more help, invest in a copy of the excellent book, Drink To Your Health by Anita Hirsch, which is published by Transworld.