Ah, the joys of parenting. One minute you're talking about nursery rhymes, the next you're googling 'how much miralax for a toddler?' Don't worry though, we've got your back on this one. Miralax is often used as a laxative and stool softener to treat constipation in both adults and children. But how do you know how much to give your little one without causing a mishap? Let's dive into this miracle (or mishap) solution.
What is Miralax?
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves and start throwing around dosages like confetti, let’s define what exactly Miralax is. It has nothing to do with magic wands or wizardry (we swear!). Miralax is actually an osmotic laxative that works by bringing water into the bowels. This helps soften stools and makes them easier to pass.
Some Terminology You Should Know
- Lubiprostone: A medication used in treating chronic idiopathic constipation.
- Bowel irrigation: The process of flushing out feces from parts of your digestive system.
- Stool Softener: A type of medication that makes it easier for bowel movements by preventing dryness from occurring in sizeable intestinal tracts
Now that the basics are covered let's move onto why parents might consider using Miralax for their lil' ones.
Why use Miralax?
Constipation can be miserable at any age but picture yourself at three years old: Your world consists...
Wait; before we begin here - just want to clarify something really quick:
Just because some people say “Oh look at me I’m five” doesn’t mean they’ve been alive that long...
...So clearing up all misconceptions now…
As we were saying, at three years old a world that consists of pooping is not fun when they're having trouble do it. As parents, you want to ease their discomfort as quickly and safely as possible - this is where Miralax can come into play.
When Should You use It?
But before doling out the dosage, let’s chat about when should you (yes you!) consider using miralax for your little one. Here are some situations where you might need to:
- Consistent bowel movement issues
- Excessive crying/straining during bowel movements
- Tip: Going number two shouldn’t cause tears!
- Dry or extremely hard stool consistency
- Abdominal bloating or discomfort
If any of these symptoms are presenting themselves in your threenager; it's probably time to bring up Miralax with their pediatrician.
What Dosage Do You Give A 3-Year-Old?
Alright alright, now onto the big question circling around every parent's minds... what dosages are safe for kids? The answer isn't exactly cut and dry considering children come in all shapes & sizes but we can provide some general guidelines%.
For Children Weighing Over 48 Lbs (%21kg):
The recommended starting dose is 8 oz dissolved in fluid daily. A maintenance dose of the child’s weight per chart below may be used after several days if there's no obvious pain felt by them: Miralax Dosage Guide %Children Ages %Under Ourational Chart%
%Child’s Weight %Day %
%13 kg (29 lb) – %15 kg %(33 lb)%1/2 capful PEG-3350 powder mixed with water % %16 kg (35 lb) – %19 kg (42 lb)%3/4 capful PEG-3350 powder mixed with water % %20 kg (44 lb) – %26 kg (58lb)%1 capful PEG-3350 powder mixed with water %
- Note: Don't worry too much about the numbers, triple check what your pediatrician recommends for dosing.
For Children Weighing Less Than 48 Lbs (%21kg):
For a child weighing less than this; their recommended dosage is - (Wait! Drumroll please...) - Drumming sound effect - Half of an adult dose or as directed by the doctor.
One thing to keep in mind is that dosages may vary depending on the severity of constipation and little human's preferences. Some children might find it difficult taking medication while others are champs at swallowing pills. There's no shame in trying different methods until you find one that works!
What Happens if You Give Too Much?
Giving any medicine can always be sketchy territory, especially when it comes to minors.% On one hand we want our kid’s pains to reduce but how do we ensure safety? One important rule — do not exceed maximum daily recommended doses
We know, easier said than done right into science mode now... receiving more Miralax than you're supposed to could result in severe diarrhea, bowel irritation or even bowel obstruction! Yikes! If your baby starts running around like Usain bolt after just max out cough syrup+Miralax mixture - well then they've had too much coffeee..erm..medication…
How Long Does It Take To Work?
Asking questions like “why isn’t stuff coming out?” seems simple enough right? But sometimes it takes extra help from Miralax.
Now assuming everything goes according to plan (this almost never happens), let's chat wait time. How long does it take for things kickstart down there -> Answers fluctuate since every lil' one has unique digestive systems however safe estimate to see some results with Miralax is within the 24-72 hour timeframe.
There's no miracle timing guaranteed, so don't stress if your child doesn't start whistling zippity-doo-da immediately after consumption. Plus, knowing little-human..they will give one ultimatum "Maybe it'll work better next time."@% to which you'll calmly inhale and nod because that’s the easiest thing to do right now.
The Bottom Line
We hope these guidelines on miralax will aid you in feeling more at ease when considering taking action for your little human poo woes!
Remember - speak with their doctor and then create feasible ways of pill or sensitive liquid administration (even try mix-ins like apple juice) to keep lil' ones comfortable without needing any additional unecessary medical attention $#!?hmm?
Also consider ensuring they're keeping up good eating/drinking habits & regularly going potty this usually helps prevent from constipation arising hope that things run smoothly(You know what we mean!)