How Long Does It Take for Prunes to Work? Everything Explained

Prunes are the most famous and most effective natural laxative. Due to the high levels of sorbitol, soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, and fructose, these tiny dried plums can make you poop within the day and can prevent the development of chronic constipation.

While eating prunes and drinking prune juice almost always relieves mild constipation within a few hours, this differs depending on the consumer's age and how many prunes or how much prune juice is consumed. It will only take a few hours to a day for kids and infants to see improvements, depending on their tolerance. But, in severe and chronic constipation cases, it may take days or even a week for prunes to take effect and relieve all symptoms fully.

It is essential to note that eating too many prunes or drinking too much prune juice may cause abdominal pain and discomfort, gas formation, and even diarrhea.

Table of Contents

• How long does it take for prunes to work?
• How long does it take for prune juice to work?
• Related Questions

How long does it take for prunes to work?

How long does it take for prunes to make infants poop?

Since infants can't eat solid food, we recommend pureeing prunes and mixing them with baby food. Making prune puree at home is pretty straightforward: Simply soak a bag of pitted prunes or dried prunes in ½ cup of warm water for 30 minutes to soften them. The prunes and water may then be blended and stored for three days.

Depending on their age, you can increasingly feed this puree to infants, but you can start giving them two to three tablespoons of prune puree a day and gauge their response.

Typically, two to three tablespoons of prune puree mixed with your child's diet in the morning will relieve your child's occasional constipation within the day, making them poop 6-12 hours after ingestion. 

Suppose your child seems to have a higher tolerance and more severe constipation. In that case, you can expect relief within 1-3 days, and daily ingestion of the puree should grant a regular bowel movement. However, if you don’t see improvements, you can increase the dosage by one tablespoon.

How long does it take for prunes to make toddlers poop?

Toddlers who are capable of eating prunes are encouraged to take up to 7 prunes per day. However, if they prefer prune puree, half a cup of puree should make them poop within 6-12 hours. Like with infants, the effects on toddlers are dependent on the severity of constipation and your child’s tolerance to sorbitol. 

One of the most common causes of occasional constipation among toddlers is dehydration.

If you suspect your child to be dehydrated, incorporate prunes into your child’s diet, or mix prune puree with water to make prune juice. For kids with severe constipation, you can continue incorporating prunes, prune puree, or even prune juice into their diet and expect alleviation within a week. To regulate bowel movement, you can let your kids take half a cup of prune puree or 4-5 prunes a day, especially when necessary.

How long does it take for prunes to make adults poop?

In adults, dehydration and lack of fiber in the diet are the major causes of mild constipation. Prunes are rich in fiber, therefore aiding healthy digestion. In typical cases of mild constipation, eating 100 grams of dried fruit can make you poop within the day, approximately 6-12 hours after ingestion, making it more effective than psyllium.

However, if you suffer from chronic constipation where symptoms persist for several weeks or even longer, eating 100 grams of prunes daily for three weeks should regulate bowel movement. Even patients with known surgical history affecting the spine and abdomen benefit from eating prunes.

How long does it take for prune juice to work?

How long does it take for prune juice to make infants poop?

For constipated infants, Mayo Clinic suggests a dosage of 2-4 ounces of prune juice per day. With this, you can expect relief within 6-12 hours, depending on how your baby reacts to the presence of sugar, sorbitol, and fiber. 

Take note that infants should not be given more than what’s required for them, as it can result in diarrhea. Also, a physician’s approval should be sought when introducing drinking prune juice into your baby’s diet.

How long does it take for prune juice to make toddlers poop?

Unlike infants, toddlers are expected to have a higher tolerance against prunes. For kids less than four years old, you can start giving half a cup of prune juice per day, preferably in the morning. If the kid presents only with mild constipation, this dosage should regulate their digestion and make them poop within 24 hours. 

However, you may need to continue the dosage for up to three days to a week if there are no improvements. You can also increase the dosage by a quarter cup and observe natural laxative effects. Mixing prune juice with apple juice is also a good idea.

How long does it take for prune juice to make adults poop?

Prune juice is a powerful way to end severe constipation. Due to busy schedules, adults often drink less water and eat less fiber than necessary. Drinking prune juice solves both issues, providing hydration and fiber needs. Drinking half a cup of prune juice makes adults poop within 24 hours, but severe constipation might need more time and a higher dosage. In cases of severe constipation, you can increase the dose to a cup of prune juice a day for a week.

As a stool softener, drinking prune juice is better than psyllium husk, a commercial laxative. It is not a stimulant laxative and does not cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in regulated amounts.

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