what to do if toddler is constipated or holding poop
For some parents, potty grooming proves to be one of the toughest battles of child rearing. And if you managed to convince your kid to pee on the potty with any sort of consistency, you may find information technology troubling when your toddler won't poop on the potty. Even worse, your child starts resisting the deed of pooping all together. This is known equally poop withholding. If you lot've ever dealt with times when a toddler won't poop you know how stressful it can exist.
There are a number of reasons that a toddler won't poop and might resist eliminating their waste matter – some physical, some psychological. If you've ruled out any physical reasons (constipation, intestinal blockage, etc.) why your kid is poop withholding (of course, bank check with your pediatrician first), then today's post is for y'all. Non only volition we discuss why children may be poop withholding their stools, but nosotros'll likewise share vii means to survive when your toddler won't poop.
What is "poop withholding"?
- Encopresis
- Too known as paradoxical diarrhea, stool withholding or bowl withholding: voluntary or involuntary fecal soiling in children who take usually already been toilet trained.
This status is about common among children betwixt the ages of two-iv years old , but poop withholding has the potential to affect babies and schoolhouse-age kids, frequently triggered past an episode of painful constipation. As you might imagine, this episode is mentally categorized every bit a traumatic experience for the child; so much so that when future bowel movements need to be made, the child will refrain from going #ii for as long as possible in an effort to avoid existence in pain once more.
In fact, the kid may be able to go weeks at a time without eliminating their waste product. In this situation, the kid may or may not exist constipated. A lot of children who poop withhold aren't in any significant hurting. They will urinate without any trouble and play like any other kid. Nonetheless, the longer they withhold, the smellier the child will become.
Your best case scenario is that the child's gas will reach unspeakable limits (if you've been here, you know that it can be difficult to fifty-fifty sit down near your child when they are resisting to poop). On the other hand, this resistance can crusade a child to soil their underwear, which can lead to a child who hides dirty undies effectually the house. Any the instance, no one is having fun.
Why my toddler won't poop
Physical Limitations
In many cases, a child is experiencing some sort of concrete limitation that makes it hard to employ the bathroom. Whether they are constipated, accept some sort of intestinal blockage, bowel obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome or even undiagnosed food sensitivities; pooping hurts.
In particular, children with cerebral palsy have a particularly hard time passing stools. Yous may or may not be able to become to the root of the problem by talking with your child every bit virtually preschoolers don't know how to communicate why information technology hurts or how it hurts – just that it hurts. If this describes your situation, call your pediatrician to discuss options.
Sensory Aversion
If your child has been diagnosed with a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), then he may not similar to poop because he doesn't similar how it feels. Even if your child hasn't been formally diagnosed with SPD, he may accept a sensory aversion to pooping. Kids who have an aversion to pooping would rather clamp their sphincter muscles for days or even weeks than to feel the sensation of waste matter being eliminated from their bowels. It sounds ridiculous, but it occurs in roughly 1 in 5 kids.
Sphincter Constabulary
In the book, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Ina May Gaskin describes something she calls the "sphincter law." Yeah, it seems a petty odd to reference a child birthing book while talking about kid poop, but stay with united states of america. Just as we think of the neck and the vagina as a type of sphincter (relative to childbirth), the same laws of taking a poop successfully, employ to delivering a baby.
So, in much the same way that many of us have difficulty having a bowel move in a public restroom, or when we travel out of town, but can hands go every bit before long as we are back in the comforts of our own home; children experience the same sort of matter – except that a 2 twelvemonth former finds comfort in a repose corner (or by the train table) so that they can relax their trunk enough to poop.
Essentially, nosotros all crave some sort of privacy and confinement in order to do our "business." Nonetheless, the sphincter doesn't react well to time limits or pressures to poop on demand.
Fears or Bad Experiences
Many children will accept pooping in a diaper (or their underpants), just will avert pooping in the toilet at all costs. All kids are unlike, simply common fears include existence afraid of balancing on the potty or falling in, the sound of the toilet equally it flushes, or fear of the bathroom itself (possibly the "Boogie Man" sleeps there during the mean solar day?).
Alternatively, a child may just have a bad retentivity associated with pooping. This can hands happen if your kid has a bout of constipation, followed by blood in their stool. It could also happen if an older sibling or some other child makes fun of them over a poopy state of affairs.
Of course, while nosotros're on the subject of bad experiences, be sure that you rule out any possibility of sexual or concrete corruption , which tin also exist a root cause for elimination bug in young children.
Tips for dealing with Poop Withholding
ane. Exist very…very patient when your toddler won't poop
Offset recognize that everyone poops in their ain time. For some people, that ways after every meal, for others information technology ways one time a solar day, and for others information technology means every few days. Whatever the case, everybody's body is unlike.
Even knowing that, you're going to get frustrated with your kid when they are poop withholding, just forcing the event will not brand anyone poop on demand. It may have some time, but your child will eventually figure it out. In fact, the best style to deal with the situation is to human action equally if information technology doesn't bother you at all. For some reason, the more attention you bring to the situation, the more it becomes a problem.
READ More than: I Tried Information technology – The 48 Hour Potty Training Method.
2. When they are property in poop, read books most why they should!
If your children are anything like our children, they love to read and exist read to. Just as you read books near colors and shapes, parts of the torso, their beginning trip to the dentist and their favorite fairy tale characters, be sure to read and talk to your kid about poop. Here are a few of our favorites:
"Where'southward the Poop" past Julie Markes This fun elevator-the-flap volume shows children that all creatures have a place to poop: tigers in the jungle, kangaroos in the outback, and monkeys in the rain woods. Your kid volition see that he or she has a place to poop, as well.
"I Tin can't, I Won't, No Mode!: A Volume for Children Who Refuse to Poop" by Tracey J. Vessillo For parents and children coping with the intensity of bowel withholding, this book presents the issue in kid-friendly terms. Past the stop, the footling boy character has used the potty and is mighty proud of himself and tells the reader that he/she tin do information technology, too.
"It Hurts to Poop: A Story for Children Who Are Scared to Utilize the Potty" by Howard J. Bennett In this book, the master graphic symbol (Ryan) is scared to use the potty. He's afraid to have a poop because he'south agape it's going to hurt. When Ryan's parents accept him to visit Dr. Aureate, she engages his imagination with the story of Beak the Coyote'southward messy house.
She also shows him what happens within the trunk, and explains how different foods brand using the potty piece of cake or difficult. This story, forth with Ryan's "poop program," will help young children gain the confidence they demand to overcome this mutual problem and constitute healthy habits.
Alternatively, if your kid responds well to videos, we really like these "Potty Time" videos by Two Little Hands. The main message is "heed to your body when you need to go potty." Information technology'south kinda catchy! Either mode, when you find that your child is demonstrating signs of needing to poop, get down on their level and talk about it.
You lot can reference the books and characters. Keep your conversation uncomplicated, nonjudgmental and to the indicate. What does it experience like? Does it injure? Does information technology feel weird? Is it scary? Kids don't always know how to describe what they are feeling, so these questions will assist your kid better use their words.
three. To forbid poop withholding, establish a routine
A consistent routine is often the key to creating a pattern of property in poop. Information technology'south equally simple equally keeping regular meal times, followed by a trip to the bath. If you can encourage your child to use the bathroom at these regular intervals (after waking upwards, post-obit a repast, before bedtime); the stomach, bowels and float will accept a chance to empty.
Information technology'due south much similar when your mom asked yous to apply the potty before getting in the auto for a long road trip. The same affair can be done here, but you don't necessarily take to exist going on a road trip. And, this isn't to say that your child will eliminate waste product every time they sit downwards on the potty, simply food tends to stimulate the bowel.
Avoid using the potty as punishment (ex. "you meliorate poop on that potty or I'll take away your iPad!"). Only focus on establishing the routine. If they go – nifty; only don't limited disappointment or frustration if they don't. But keep trying. Over time, yous'll notice that your kid follows a pattern. Rather than forcing poop on your schedule, but follow your kid's natural routine to preclude them from belongings in poop
READ MORE: Overcoming Potty Training Obstacles.
4. When they are holding in poop, arrange your child'due south diet
Many times, your healthcare provider will suggest that yous increase natural fibers in your child's diet if they have been poop withholding. While this tin can encourage the bowels, it may not cure the situation. Even so, information technology's never a bad idea to emphasize non-constipating foods, increase natural fibers found in nigh fruits and vegetables, brand certain your child is getting plenty of fluids (water and juice – avoiding sodas that dehydrate) and limit foods that have a tendency to constipate.
If your toddler won't poop and is as well a picky eater, y'all tin can e'er sneak fiber into their diet. We actually like the blueberry breakfast biscuits past Nature's Valley, Cobweb I's Fruit Flavored Snacks (our kids actually like these better than the character flavored viscous snacks), and Fiber I's Credibility Bars. Other more obvious choices are broccoli (with cheese) or chocolate-brown rice with dinner, and pear juice (often found in the baby department of your grocery store). In improver, you tin offer daily probiotics to support gut wellness.
The goal here is to proceed those stools soft and regular in the outcome that there is any hint of constipation or pain. Even so, if your child is non constipated and is poop withholding for other reasons (mostly psychological), even a healthy diet won't do the trick.
5. When your toddler won't poop, add a Daily Supplement
Another common tool recommended to kids who are experiencing poop withholding is the use of a fiber supplement, laxative, stool softener or enema. Talk to your pediatrician before trying any of these options, but a daily one-half-cap dose of Miralax mixed with your child's morning cup of juice helps a lot. Your child may withal become through bouts of withholding, but when you showtime applying all of the approaches listed, your child may relax long enough to let their body practise what it needs to do.
That said, having mineral oil (found in the laxative department), along with Pedia-Lax Saline Laxative Chewable Tablets and Pedia-Lax Liquid Glycerin Suppositories on paw but in case your child is poop withholding and goes more 3-4 days without a bowel movement is recommended. Nosotros effort really hard to avert using enemas, simply they are sometimes necessary.
6. Ensure their Condolement when they are holding in poop
Figure out where your child prefers to use the bath and roll with information technology. If that means your child will simply pee and poop on their lilliputian potty, suck information technology up and purchase that verbal potty for every level of the house (fifty-fifty bring it on the route with yous when visiting relatives). Yep – that ways more cleaning for y'all, but your job is to remove any obstacles that may be preventing them from poop withholding.
What if your child is only comfortable pooping in a diaper? Again, roll with it. If your child is withholding, at some point you will realize that it's more than important that they eliminate waste in a diaper than it is that they poop in the potty.
In fact, in that location are many preschoolers (and older kids) who are "pee trained," but will request a diaper just for pooping. Pay attention to their pooping behaviors though. Typically, children will seek some form of privacy to empty their bowels (be it in a corner, behind furniture, squatting in front end of the train tabular array, etc.). Gradually encourage them to take that private moment to the restroom, even while staying in a diaper.
READ More than: Potty Training Product Guide.
Over fourth dimension, when your toddler won't poop, yous might propose that they sit down on a potty (large or little) and poop – once more, still in their diaper. Then, cut a small hole in their diaper and increase the size of that pigsty over a period of weeks until your child is pooping through the diaper straight into the toilet.
Alternatively, if the sound of poop splashing into the water scares them, you can have them sit down on the potty directly while having a diaper taped under them (on the potty) to catch the poop. If it sounds like a lot of work – it is, but poop is poop.
7. Rewards?
Some parents observe that reward systems work really well for their kids. So, if your child will poop for stickers that volition eventually earn a toy, more than ability to you lot. Our experience has been that the relief of pooping is enough of a reward.
If yous've put all of the other tips into action, you'll find that your kid has all the tools they demand to overcome whatever it is that is preventing them from pooping. When they practice finally get over that hump, it feels good and they'll want to celebrate it with yous in some way or some other (high fives, hugs, etc.). Non but is their body thanking them, but there is a sense of accomplishment.
We know how frustrating poop withholding is when a toddler won't poop, but we promise that your child will eventually learn how to poop. Until then, hang on tight and breathe. Love this article? Help support Daily Mom through our Patreon folio.
Photo Credits: Ashley Sisk, Sarah M., Gordon
Sources: Wikipedia
This post is meant for educational purposes only. It is non intended to replace medical advice from your physician, medico or wellness care professional person. Please read our terms of utilize for more than information.
Source: https://dailymom.com/nurture/7-ways-to-overcome-poop-withholding/
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