Constipation is under-treated
Stool softeners help short-term. But the underlying pattern, diet, hydration, gut microbiome, sometimes structural, usually needs the actual work.
Happybellies,happykids.
Constipation, reflux, tummy aches, food reactions. Common, often related, and almost always more treatable than parents are told.
“When the belly is unhappy, everything else gets harder: sleep, mood, skin, focus. Treat the gut and a lot of other things settle.”
Children's digestive concerns are some of the most common reasons parents bring kids in, and some of the most rewarding work, because gut function in children responds beautifully to the right inputs, and the changes ripple into everything else.
Whether it's chronic constipation, recurrent tummy aches, reflux that pediatric care hasn't resolved, or food reactions limiting what your child can eat, there's usually a clear path.
Three things to hold onto.
The microbiome forms early
Antibiotics, mode of delivery, feeding choices, and diet all shape it. Early imbalances can persist, and they're usually repairable.
Food reactions are individual
Some kids react to obvious things; others to surprising ones. We work this out carefully, not with sweeping eliminations that disrupt nutrition.
How I think about digestive concerns.
What I work up
Detailed history: bowel pattern, foods that worsen things, growth and weight, family patterns. Nutrient status. Stool testing where it adds clarity. True food allergies via standard testing where indicated. Coordination with pediatric GI when warranted.
What treatment looks like
Gut-supportive nutrients. Fiber done right, not too much, not too little. Specific probiotics matched to the case. Herbal medicine where helpful. Gentle digestive support. For older kids, sometimes targeted gut repair protocols. Diet changes where warranted, minimum effective dose.
Working with picky eaters
Many kids with digestive issues are also picky. I don't make eating harder. We work with what your child will eat, expand carefully, and treat the underlying gut piece in parallel.
Considered.
Tested.
Re-tested.
Most digestive issues show clear movement in 4–8 weeks. Chronic constipation can take longer. Reflux often responds quickly once the right pattern is found.
Therapies I'd likely use
You’re probably wondering.
My child has been on Miralax for a year. Is that okay?
Short-term, usually fine. Long-term reliance often means the underlying cause hasn't been addressed. Worth investigating.
Should I cut gluten?
Not without good reason. True celiac is a clear yes, and worth testing for before you remove it. For other patterns, broad elimination usually misses the actual driver.
Will probiotics help?
The right one for the right child, sometimes meaningfully. Generic store-bought probiotics often don't move the needle. I choose based on the case.
Why Dr. Rigobert Kefferputz?
I treat the totality of the person: body, mind, and spirit as one interconnected system. Naturopathic medicine gives me a wide toolbox: clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, IV therapy, somatic approaches, and more. I don't apply protocols; I look for the pattern underneath your symptoms and build care that fits your specific life.
