5 Yr Old Still "Pooping" in Pants

You mean Jan 2011, right? DO NOT WAIT TILL 2012!! Hopefully that was a typo.

By poop - are these solid bowel movements or more of a squirt (sorry, TMI for some).

Read my answers to poop questions or look up Encopresis and see if he may be suffering from that. My daughter did for years and we finally got a handle on it when she was 5.

Let me know if you have any questions or need more info. I didn't want to go in to too much detail if he has something other than Encopresis going on.

M.

Since you previously had him fully potty trained and now he's having accidents on a daily basis, I would look into whether he has some kind of intestinal issue going on. This was the case with my son and what I learned was that he actually had a constipation issue going on and that the soft poop that was coming out was the liquid portion that could make it's way out. We worked with an M.D./Naturopath who did some testing and advised us on what kind of medication, probiotics and nutritional supplements would help our son with his intestinal issues.

Just something for you to think about. Hope you are able to find a solution to this problem soon. I know what a headache this can be.

I'm dealing with poopy pants too!! It's so frustrating. What my son does is get poop in his pants because he's trying not to poop but his body is doing otherwise. I think my son does this because he'll get constipated and not want to go fearing it will hurt which only makes it worse. Our latest deal was if he came home from school with poop in his pants he'd have to eat and then go to bed.....even if it's 5:00. He always wants to stay awake late and it has seemed to make a difference. He's had 2 poop pant episodes in 2 weeks and neither one at school. I call them episodes because they aren't 'accidents'. Last night he did it at the playground with one of his friends and was really afraid for the friend to find out because he was embarrassed. I cleaned him up and the friend didn't know but that was the first time he'd expressed real embarrassment. I'm hoping that will 'inspire' better pooping habits. I don't get angry anymore. I don't scold him and when I tell him he's got to go to bed early I'm very matter of fact and just say 'well, you know the rules. I'm sorry but we have to follow the rules' I don't raise my voice or say WHY DID YOU DO THAT!! like I have said about a zillion times. People have all kinds of theories about why kids do what they do in the potty. I'm sure all of that psychology is true but it doesn't help me to know it either way! He is afraid of something. Instead of scolding I'm kind about it because I know he's not being bad he's really struggling with whatever it is that scares him. I'd never get all over him if he was afraid of dogs. I wouldn't have a fit if he was afraid to swim. Why is this different, aside from the totally gross part, than any other fears rational or not.

Is this a full-fledged "pooping the pants" thing or a leave some skids in the underwear-type occurrence? Are you familiar with encopresis? Google it--it might just apply to your son. If so, it's treatable. Good luck!

If you want him to see a specialist sooner, call a University hospital and ask for a triage nurse to discuss his problem. The nurse can refer you to the proper Physician at the University. I'm willing to bet he will be seen sooner.

Or continue your search online and use the yellow pages for a Gastroenterology Physician that specializes in Pediatrics.

I think it's best to rule out physical ailments, before deciding it's psychological.

Is he eating or drinking things at school, that he doesn't normally have at home? Are there kids at school for example: sharing milk or some food or beverage that you don't know about. It might be a clue.

Wishing you the best
A.

I've dealt with this with both my boys. Ugh! So frustrating! Is there something going on at school that he's feeling stressed about? That's what it usually is, something that's stressing them so that's the reaction. I've noticed that since my older son has been nicer to his brother, the problem has stopped. We used to give my younger son a glow stick before bed each time he kept his pants clean (no poop). Then had a goal to work toward (40 glow sticks and you get this...). We also had him help clean up his underwear. I'm just glad it finally stopped! I would look into school stress since he was fine from May until Sept. Good luck! Hang in there because it will stop.

I do believe it, assuming you mean 2011. Specialists get very busy. Often you will wait a good period of time. However, if you call every day/every other day/once per week - to check for cancellations, you should be able to lessen your wait - substantially.

What kind of specialist is it? Make sure a good pediatrician referred you to a good specialist. I assume you are seeing a gastroenterologist as you did not specify. To me, that is the kind you want to see as it makes sense.

Please don't punish your son for this medical issue. It sounds to me like it is medical...not behavorial. If you had a medical condition that caused incontinence, would you want someone punishing you? No. Further, if you are concerned that his classmates may make fun of him...you should be building him up...always.

Your son needs your help right now. You can get him in to that specialist...but it takes persistence.

Try this site. It should hopefully give you some insight into his condition, treatment and what you can do to help him.

http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/encopre.htm

Does this only happen in school? Since it stopped for the summer it sounds like he doesn't like to go at school. This is very common. Usually kids get on a schedule where they just go at home.

Others have already mentioned Encopresis...my 6 year old son just dealt with a bought of it this past week.

Three afternoons in a row he had number two accidents in his pants...not a full bowel moment but more than a skid mark. He was super upset and telling me that he didn't even know it happened until it did.

So after doing some looking on Google...I was thinking that was what is was...but he had never been constipated ever. But I took him to the doctor the next day and sure enough you could feel 12 to 14 inches of feces backed up in his tummy...the doctor had me feel his stomach. Poor kid!

A couple days of Miralax and now some gummy fiber supplements...and he is all cleaned out and no more accidents.

Our doctor explained that sometimes when kids especially boys start school they don't want to go number two there so they hold it until they get home...but they lose the sensation of having to go and end up constipated.

Is he just using his pants or having a little leak??

Jan of 2012? Oh heck no! Find another specialist over a year is completely unacceptable!!!

You might want to check and see if he has "Encopresis."
This is an INvoluntary condition.... look it up online.

Or maybe your son's issue is stress or anxiety related... for some people... all their stress/anxiety goes to their stomach/bowels.... my husband gets like that.

all the best,
Susan