How to deal with my non-ID twins and their very non-identical bowels?

[rattling]

I have twin boys, nearly 4. They are very different, I have struggled through with the one quiet, one wild, one wants to be outside, one in, but one constipated, one with diarrhea is driving me nuts!

The runny poos from M. have always been an issue. He is getting better, I no longer have to launch myself across a snack table at playgroup to snatch orange out of his hand (20 min later there would be an explosion), but for him we veer towards white bread, bananas, pears, apples over citrus fruit etc. He actually potty trained quite easily, but we do still panic slightly if he announces he needs a poo.

Potty training his brother (A) has been a nightmare though. About 9 months after losing nappies he was still having constant accidents, mostly poo. I have just realised this is constipation - an impaction with small amounts escaping constantly throughout the day (sorry, this really is all TMI). He is so much better since I started pouring exactly the type of food we try to keep away from M. into him - dried fruit, juice (to help up his liquid intake, he won't drink much water. I also dilute his milk 1:1 now), citrus fruit, wholemeal bread and pasta.

M. eats anything in sight, A is a bit more picky, and if I offered them each the appropriate food they would each want the others (not just out of contrariness, they do both choose foods that are really no good for their stomachs).

Not sure what I am asking. How do I do this? How to sneak stodge into one diet and fibre into another with it looking the same?

[SuedeEffectPochette]

Get movicol for the constipated one - worked a miracle for us! Then give them both the same stodge!

[mummy2benji]

Yes I second the above! And just keep encouraging fluids in the constipated one.

[rattling]

Really? Even when the diet is working you'd go for drugs? Is it likely he will grow out of it and I can use the drugs to get him through till then?

I don't suppose there is a good drug for the dribbly bottomed one, then I can let everyone eat fruit?

[Repetitiverobot]

Hi. I wouldn't advocate 'drugs' as a first option, but after 6 years of my Dd being constipated (from 9mths to 6) i have to say Movicol is a really good idea to keep the poo soft so they don't start to hold onto hard poo. I too have the same differences between my two DC. Dd constipated and ds poops twice a day with no issues at all. It's hard to get two foods into them as they just want the same as each other and tbh I don't have the time to constantly prepare different meals. But ds starts day with weetabix and banana (for bulk) and dd has shreddies. Lunch will be the same as each other as will dinner. But the movicol has helped keep her semi regular (not a cure by any means but a helping hand to avoid impaction)
Dd had half a sachet every other day for almost 6 years and has only just started to 'grow out of it' to the point we have phased it out and she can go relatively regularly. (Not 100% but a massive step forward)
Sorry if I've rambled but want to reassure you it's not addictive and you will get past it eventually if its a route you decide to take.

[SuedeEffectPochette]

I suppose drugs are not ideal. However, I don't think Movicol is harmful. You did ask how to solve your problem without having to do separate meals! I suppose you could give one prune juice and one coke (only joking!). My suggestion to use Movicol is motivated by my own DD experience. Constipation became a problem for her and she "leaked" because she lost the sensation to poo. Hence Movicol was and is, a real lifesaver (botsaver) for us. Constant constipation can lead to the lower bowel becoming distended. It can recover over time but it is better not to suffer constipation in the first place. Hence the "drugs" can help with that, under doctor's supervision of course. In my experience doctors are pretty unconcerned by extended use of Movicol. Good luck! I also have twins, so I know you won't want to be cooking different meals!

[Lotta1234]

We've found movicol great. It's really sorted out my dd's constipation. I was v opposed to it until hearing about the distended bowe stuff and the pharmacist told me today that loads of kids are on it.

[rattling]

Thank you for your advice. I wasn't really that scared of Movicol as a drug - just the longterm implications of taking that route over dietary changes, but I'm going to take him to the GP next week. We were out and about all today which meant opportunities to pour fibre into him were limited, leaving him more constipated again, so that has really helped make that decision.

The other suggestion I am taking on board is to focus my attempts at breakfast as we struggle to get them to sit down together, so while we work on that I may as well use it to my advantage and give them opposing meals.

Many thanks - I'm beginning to imagine we might have this sorted by the time they start school (2014!)

[nextphase]

Would movicol for a few weeks get the constipation cleared to allow a good go at solving the dirty pants issue?

ground flax seed is supposed to be good for adding fibre. Could you sprinkle that on the appropriate plate of food?

We seriously cut back fruit for DS1, who sounds like your M. Literally one piece a day - and a serving being the size of a fist. That solved things pretty quickly. Things have now relaxed a bit, but were definitely of the mentality, "no dear, you don't need any more fruit, have some cake".

Are you aware there are 2 types of fibre - soluble and insoluble? Suspect M needs to limit soluble fibre, but A needs insoluble fibre. There may well be a middle ground? If you cut ALL fruit, might both boys be OK on the same, high fibre, diet???

Good luck. We took to buying the cheapest pants going, and binning on really bad days (no more expensive than a pampers pull up)

[rattling]

Nextphase - so glad I wasn't the only one out there removing fruit from hand and replacing it with biscuits and cakes!!

The change in diet has helped immediately, but it seems that even one day without managing to get enough fibre into him and the problem recurs. As there is about 2 days a week he will barely eat anything after breakfast this is going to be an ongoing problem.

I'm going to have a google of soluble/insoluble fibre, try to refine what we have been trying. We will definitely be sticking with some dietary changes along with movicol if we can get the GP to prescribe.

[nextphase]

doesn't do my waistline any good tho!