In this review
In this review
Is your kid dealing with constipation and painful poops? Laxatives might help temporarily – but they don’t address the root causes of constipation and are not safe for long-term use.
Research shows that human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) – special prebiotics naturally found in breast milk – improve constipation and support long-term gut health.1
With the help of our TCD mom Anna and her daughter Becky, we tested the efficacy of the leading kids’ HMO-based prebiotic – Begin Health Prebiotics – vs. laxatives. Cameron Ellis (MSN, NP-C), our Integrative Family Medicine Practitioner, also provides her recommendation on the safest, most effective treatments. Is Begin Health – a natural constipation treatment – actually more effective than laxatives like Pedia-Lax? Read on to find out.
Why Prebiotics Instead of Laxatives?
We asked Ellis, our gut health specialist, why she recommends Begin Health’s Growing Up Prebiotics, which contain HMOs and natural fiber for softer stooling after six weeks of continued use. Here is what she said:
✅ HMOs Support Immune & Digestive Health: Breast milk is a superfood and the gold standard in nutrition for babies. HMOs, the leading prebiotic in breast milk, play a key part by supporting a beneficial and balanced gut environment.
✅ Natural Fiber Supports Digestion: Insufficient fiber is one of the leading causes of constipation in children2 – 95% of kids (and adults!) don’t get the recommended amount!3 Each serving of Begin Health provides 3 grams of chicory root fiber, which helps soften stools, improve regularity, and increase beneficial bacteria count in the gut.4
On the other hand, Ellis recommends avoiding laxatives like Pedia-Lax:
❌ Artificial Ingredients: “Pedia-Lax contains more than a dozen unhealthy additives, including sucralose (an artificial sweetener which actually decreases good gut bacteria5) and Red 40 food dye.”
❌ No Gut Health Support: “Laxatives are designed for temporary relief by softening stools, but do not support gut health.”
❌ Not Safe For Long-Term Use: “Laxatives are not safe for long-term use,” says Ellis. They can worsen symptoms by causing dependency and lead to elevated magnesium, a condition with serious side effects.6
For us, the choice is clear: Begin Health delivers natural gut health support with its unique combo of HMOs and chicory root fiber, and is safe for daily use in kids as young as one.
Mom’s Perspective With Begin Health: Bye-Bye, Painful Poops
Does Begin Health actually relieve constipation?
TCD mom’s daughter Becky has struggled with painful constipation and tear-filled potty times for months. When things got bad, Anna turned to laxatives but symptoms always returned.
Daily for six weeks, Anna mixed one packet of Begin Health’s Daily Growing Up Prebiotics in Becky’s sippy cup (thankfully it’s completely flavorless and textureless) and took notes on their experience:
- Weeks 1-2: 2 poops/week. Becky experienced some gas over the first few days, but thankfully did not notice the addition to her water or milk. She ended up going four times those 2 weeks, about her normal pace.
- Week 3: 4 poops. Becky started to feel more natural urgency and her withholding started to decrease as her poops became less painful. She was still scared of potty time because of the previous pain, but ended up going poop 4 times in one week.
- Week 4: 7 poops! Passed stools daily – something Becky hasn’t done in nearly 6 months. She stopped withholding altogether and it was clear her stools were much less painful to pass.
- Week 5: Daily, softer poops. Continued to pass daily stools, and they became softer. Becky’s potty times this week were completely tear-free, which was such a relief.
- Week 6: No more constipation! Becky’s potty time is quick, easy, and tear-free. She is having a bowel movement almost daily. Begin Health’s Daily Growing Up Prebiotics are truly a lifesaver!
Begin Health transformed potty time from a tear-filled, painful experience to something feeling “totally normal,” Anna says."Her appetite has increased, her stomach pain has gone away, and she’s smiling more.”
Finally: Safe, Long-Term Constipation Support for Kids
Are Begin Health’s Growing Up Prebiotics the best form of constipation support for children? After consulting with gut health specialist Cameron Ellis and conducting our own hands-on testing, our answer is yes. It is gentle but effective, safe for long-term use in kids, and it’s one of the few ways kids can continue to benefit from the supernutrients that are Human Milk Oligosaccharides.
Ready to try Begin Health? With TCD, get 25% off your first order:
