Toddler Diet/Constipation/, painful poops struggles

We are really struggling with diet/constipation/painful poops for my 4 year old with level 3 autism. He just turned 4 yesterday, our sweet boy. But he couldn't enjoy parts of the day because of his tummy hurting and then pooping hurting. He is not potty trained yet and his first and only 2 times going were painful so now he equates pain to the potty 😭😞 It all started when he stopped drinking smoothies. He used to love drinking smoothies and I would sneak spinach, protein, and all sorts of nutrients in because he has extreme food aversions and it was the only way to get him nutrients. Well he stopped and then at the WIC office they tested him and found out his iron is low but he will not eat any foods that give him iron. Well we start him on a liquid iron supplement, not realizing it can cause constipation and hard poops... We are at a loss and heartbroken and have no idea what to do... I am crying just typing this out, it is just so devastating not knowing how to get your child to eat what he needs, then you think you fixed one problem (iron) but caused a different problem (constipation)... I love our kids doctor, he is great but he was not really helpful just saying "try getting iron and fiber into his diet" I know he means well, like most doctors probably do, but it is not that simple to just change the diet of a child with autism... I wish primary care providers were trained more to understand and help our kids 💔 Has anyone been through anything similar? Help with low iron? Constipation? Potty training? What worked for you guys?

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Miralax half a cap once a day it's whst you doc would say. Then after awhile every other day. It didn't work for mine my daughter is on prescription medication lactose and senna you have to see gi for that

Also look up i love you tummy massage do that once a day it will show you how to do it.

You need to get the GP to prescribe laxatives. We’ve been on them daily since June 2023, my LO is not just over two. We titrate regularly depending on how often she’s been passing bowels. Usually can have 2 sachets a day in the water bottle and it’ll help her go. Also use the ERIC website as they explain how to use laxatives and go through disimpaction better than the GP. Laxatives will definitely help if used correctly. I used to work on the children’s continence team so dealt with this often, happy to chat if you wanted x

@Laura we went though her pcp and she told us to do mirilax for 6 months if it does not help she wrote a referral to gi. After the 6 months we had to an xray after the xray we did a clean out. Which was not fun. Then she gave us the senna and lactolose. She still somtimes does not go everyday or goes without going for a few days right now we are on day 3 of no poop so I'm hoping she goes today

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