This was probably the best possible outcome for the child. A third party like a visiting nurse can often better achieve success in a situation like this than can a parent who has been involved in emotional battles over severe constipation with the child.

In the future, along with the recommended dietary program, I would also suggest that your niece encourage the child to become involved in activities that promote physical exercise. Children who sit around the house are far more likely to experience constipation and develop impactions than their more active peers.

As unyquity posted above, constipation can become a very serious problem with children if not corrected quickly. I blame the medical profession for telling parents not to worry about their childrens bowel habits, and that one bowel movement a week is normal for some. I totally disagree.

In the future I recommend that your niece not let the child go more than 2 or 3 days at the most without a bowel movement before intervening. Some people can develop a fecal impaction in this short time, and when this happens, removing it is always uncomfortable and can be traumatic, especially for someone that age.

That's great news...'glad to hear it!

I agree VERY much with Valerie (re: exercise); this is SO important for a healthy body, and especially for those with constipation issues.

I'd also like to add: it is NORMAL and HEALTHY for ALL people to have 2-3 bowel movements daily (one for every major meal). A clogged/sluggish digestive tract is at the root of an incredible amount of diseases and illness throughout life, and the sooner this 'good habit' is established and understood, the less health problems will present themselves later. When the colon is sluggish, the food starts putrefying and giving off various gasses --which cause all kinds of digestive disturbances (acid reflux, GERD, heartburn, hiatal hernia, ulcers, etc). And this rotting/gassy (stinky!) fecal matter, will start accumulating and hardening on the sides and pockets of the intestines --which makes the colon even MORE sluggish (making the above problems worse) and is the root cause for IBS, diverticulities, Crohnes Disease. And that doesn't even address the fact that since ALL nutrients into the bloodstream are absorbed through the lining of the colon, that all nutrients then have to go through layers of putrified fecal matter first (layers of toxins, chemicals and poisons that were in the food we ate)...and this is found to be the root cause of cancers and other major organ problems (and is also the perfect breeding ground for parasites, unwanted bacteria, yeast/fungus, etc). ALL animals in nature (on their normal diet) have a soft bowel movement without straining for every major meal they ingest.

It seems all doctors and healers throughout the world throughout the centuries have known this fact, and the only ones that don't know/care/understand how important it is, are the ones educated and practicing in the last 30-50 years.

So PLEASE don't let your niece think that a few 'regular' bowel movements a week is "normal" for her precious lil' girl...nothing could be further from the truth!

Healthy blessings,

Unyquity

Thanks to you all for some very sound and educational advice.

Hi unyquity, thank you for your very kind words! The experiences you describe with elimination in your household growing up is close to the norm today. I can't tell you how many friends and clients I treat who tell similar stories. So many are so fearful or embarrassed about giving themselves an enema at home, or coming in for a colonic. Some are even afraid of their husbands or boyfriends finding out that they take enemas or come in for colonics.

Your husband was one of the lucky ones, as was I, who was raised in a family where enemas were appreciated and used on a regular basis for a variety of reasons. I maintain that the enema bag is probably the most valuable natural health care accessory in a family today, and that our kids would be healthier if enemas were used more frequently.

I have clients who tell me that as children they hated moms enemas and often resisted, but almost all today say they understand now why the enemas were necessary and they are glad that mom was firm and followed through with them.

I hope you are able to get over your fear of the enema. I am one who often actually looks forward to taking one. In addition to relief from constipation which I have suffered from childhood, I find enemas to be a great reliever of stress, premenstrual cramps, headaches, and a variety of other unpleasant conditions. I like the feeling of an empty colon. I find that it inspires confidence and a general feeling of well being.

Wishing you all the best of natural health and happiness,

Valerie