Miralax for Babies?

[mjaclyn]

My 1 year old son has recently been having issues with constipation. Our pediatrician recommended we give him Miralax, but after reading the label it says not to give any to children under 17 years of age. There is a huge difference between a 1 year old and a 17 year old... Has anyone else ever given their young child Miralax? I know I should just trust my pediatrician but the minimum age on the bottle threw me for a loop...

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

DD has been on miralax since she was close to 3, at that time it was by prescription only though. We haven't had a problem with it, it helps her go. If I notice her getting constipated even now (she's 5 1/2) I give her some.
I'd go with whatever dosage your ped. told you.

 

[golfgal]

Does it say not to give to a child under 17 without consulting a physician? Keep in mind that the warning labels are there to protect the manufacturer not the user and that there are really stupid people in the world. If you trust your doctor, why the concern. If you don't trust your doctor, find another one you do trust.

I was talking with our pediatrician at DS17's well baby check when he was 6 months or so. She was still shaking her head over the previous patient she saw (actually the mom). The mom brought her infant DD in because her eyes were all red and the the Dr was stumped as to the cause until she asked if it was possible she got any soap or whatnot into them. The mom said she was very careful and the only thing that she put in her eyes was the baby Tylenol for teething pain . The doctor asked her WHY she put the Tylenol in her eyes--the mom's answer "because it came with an eye dropper". These parents are WHY there are warning labels.

 

[wdwmom2]

The mom said she was very careful and the only thing that she put in her eyes was the baby Tylenol for teething pain . The doctor asked her WHY she put the Tylenol in her eyes--the mom's answer "because it came with an eye dropper". These parents are WHY there are warning labels.

Oh my.......!!!!!

OP, it is a very commonly used medication for constipation for little ones. Follow your peds advice and your son will be fine.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Keep in mind that the warning labels are there to protect the manufacturer not the user and that there are really stupid people in the world.

Not a medication warning, but among my favorites is the curling iron label stating "Do not use while sleeping". STUPID people.

 

[Disney Ron]

When my DS had issues as a toddler the Dr. recommend either Karo Syrup mixed in with his bottle or the Miralax. I found both worked great and gave needed results.

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[laughinplace199]

Not a medication warning, but among my favorites is the curling iron label stating "Do not use while sleeping". STUPID people.

Oh great, now I have to find a new way to curl my hair.

 

[laughinplace199]

When my DS had issues as a toddler the Dr. recommend either Karo Syrup mixed in with his bottle or the Miralax. I found both worked great and gave needed results.

Mrs. Disney Ron

We did the Karo syrup with our DS when has was 1 (the switch from formula to milk was tough on him) and it worked wonders.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Miralax is fine but Karo syrup *can* cause botulissum(sp?) it babies. That said I have used Karo many years ago & it worked fine. Now they say use Miralax and that works fine also.

 

[tazdev3225]

My DGD suffered from constipation issues almost from birth. She could go for a week without a BM. When she did go it was a brick solid baseball. I used to worry that she had impacted bowels. We tried prune juice, apple juice, Karo syrup, all the known remedies. She was so bad that we had to give her suppositories by a 18 months. The dr. eventually ordered Miralax as a prescription. I worried that would hurt her in the long run but it worked. I totally agree with other posters the warning labels are for the manufacturer, if used correctly it is a wonderful product.

 

[mjaclyn]

Thanks everybody! I'm going to go ahead and give it to him. It's not that I don't trust the Pediatrician but we saw a doctor that we don't normally see that day because our regular doctor was out of town. The label says not to give to anyone under 17 without consulting a doctor...I was just surprised by the age because many of the over-the-counter medicines that can be given to children under a doctor's orders have a much lower age recommendation.

 

[Octoberbeauty]

My almost 2 yr old was recently put on it. It's helping. The doctor took his time explaining why Miralax was the best for long term use, so I feel safe (as much as I can) giving it to him.

 

[golfgal]

Not a medication warning, but among my favorites is the curling iron label stating "Do not use while sleeping". STUPID people.

Well, it does save time in the morning...

 

[5lilfish]

My almost 3 yr old has been taking Miralax regularly for half of her life.

I have a question for anyone that has gone through this and their child is now older. Did you ever find out a cause for the chronic constipation? I can't help but think there must be a reason that my child needs medicine in order to keep from being constipated.

Jess

 

[Mouse House Mama]

My almost 3 yr old has been taking Miralax regularly for half of her life.

I have a question for anyone that has gone through this and their child is now older. Did you ever find out a cause for the chronic constipation? I can't help but think there must be a reason that my child needs medicine in order to keep from being constipated.

Jess

Try laying off the dairy for a while. Dairy can cause constipation.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I was talking with our pediatrician at DS17's well baby check when he was 6 months or so. She was still shaking her head over the previous patient she saw (actually the mom). The mom brought her infant DD in because her eyes were all red and the the Dr was stumped as to the cause until she asked if it was possible she got any soap or whatnot into them. The mom said she was very careful and the only thing that she put in her eyes was the baby Tylenol for teething pain . The doctor asked her WHY she put the Tylenol in her eyes--the mom's answer "because it came with an eye dropper". These parents are WHY there are warning labels.

Poor baby!

 

[fimac]

My almost 3 yr old has been taking Miralax regularly for half of her life.

I have a question for anyone that has gone through this and their child is now older. Did you ever find out a cause for the chronic constipation? I can't help but think there must be a reason that my child needs medicine in order to keep from being constipated.

Jess

I second dairy as a cause. It was causing inflammation of the colon, which resulted in a narrowing where the inflammation was present. when all dairy was removed from his diet the inflammation resolved.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I'd say if your Ped told you to, then it's OK.

 

[dispor]

MY daughter was on it for a few years. Yes, even as a baby! Back then it was by prescription. My dd's gastroenterologist said she was "withholding" poop, which just makes the stool larger and harder and more painful to pass, which just causes more witholding. It is a viscious cycle. He assured me that she would not become dependent on it. It worked very well for us.

I hope it works well for you. It was awful to start having our life revolve around when she would poop next - ugh!

Good luck to you and your daughter!

 

[cheerful chickadee]

My 2.5yr old DD has been on it for over a year now. I had the same concerns as you at first since the label doesn't recommend it for children but my ped gave me our own directions and amounts to use, she explained that it is safe so we use it. I hate having to rely on something to get her to "go" but without it she was going a week or more without a BM. We've tried cutting dairy, giving lots of water, etc. My ped said there may not be a cause, her body might just absorb more liquid than other people. We've had to give her a suppository a few times which was torture on her (and me, I cried every time I had to do it). It's also apparently scarred her for life as she tells the story about "mommy putting that thing in my butt" every chance she gets! lol Talk about embarrassing, she breaks that story out at the worst possible times and places!