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Tasty Way to Combat Toddler’s Constipation

Psyllium-containing Metamucil cookies are a sweet way to help a toddler overcome constipation and the resulting reluctance to use the potty.

Q. We read a letter from a grandmother concerned about her toddler grandson with chronic constipation. Our grandson had the same problem, but we started giving him Metamucil cookies and he had no more trouble.

We also explained to him that his special cookies would help him poop so he was more eager to try them. They are good plain, or we would sometimes put a little jam on them.

No little kid should have pain going potty.

A. Thank you for suggesting this simple approach. Metamucil cookies contain the same psyllium seed as Metamucil powder, but they are much more enticing.

The only caution is that the child must take them with adequate liquid, preferably water, but milk would work too.

For others who have problems with constipation, we offer our Guides to Constipation and Digestive Disorders.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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