I Need Help Getting My Daughter to Stop Holding in Her Bowel Movements.

My daughter is almost five and has had issues with constipation since birth. She sees a gastroenterologist regularly who prescribed a medication called Miralax. It's a non-addictive stool softener. We push as many fruits/veggies/low milk as we can, but sometimes that isn't enough. We've been able to reduce the dosage, but she's still taking the Miralax. Maybe ask your doctor if this would help your child. Also, remember that some foods that you might think are good for you (constipation wise) are not - such as bananas and apple sauce.

My 6 year old daughter has always had an issue with constipation. But, when she got to be about 3, I talked to the doctor about it and was told that I could give her UP TO (I started WAY less) 2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia (MOM) a day. I started out with half a teaspoon and worked my way up until I found a dose that worked. But, then she decided that in order to go, she had to have medicine. The cool thing about MOM is you can mix it into her milk and say nothing.

So, when my daughter would say her tummy hurt or her bum hurt, I'd give her a glass of "milk" and just wait.

Some kids (I don't exactly know why) have trouble with the going poo in the potty. My daughter did, my niece is going thru this now. that may or may not be the problem. Just understand that if going on the potty is part of the issue, you may have to deal with some messy drawers!! So, be prepared - and good luck!!

I'm no expert but based on what my friends say, they've had to bribe their kids with fruit snacks or starburst.

Maybe ask the doctor for a chart or diagram for the infection so that way you can explain to her that if she keeps doing this, this is the result.

My friend's son had to get an enema at 3 years old because there was bile backup. THey had to stick a tube down his throat with some medication and that didn't work so they had to do an enema. He's somewhat jacked up by it..but it's hereditary on his dad's side of the family. My friend said this was her last result because they've tried everything.

Silk soy in the purple carton is great tasting. my son was always either bound up or explosive. i us that little tummys laxative for infants or cayro syrup a little in their milk, its natural so it wolnt hurt them. apple or prune juice, lots of vegetables and fruit. Watermelon works great on anyone its natural to, but not too much.. I would tell her poopoo needs to come out it is dirty and you need to get it out. i have one still in diapers so i rub his tummy and give him a bath and sure enough he goes. Even give her a book as she sits like we all do and make her feel like there is now rush, relax and push it all out. lots of water to..........

hello, I also have a ten yr old boy that did and is just now getting over the same thing. That's right it took this long to finally stress the importance of going to the bathroom. I have had to deal with the stomach aches and cramps with my child. I am sorry to hear that she had to be hospitalized for hers though. I took my child to the doctor when he was 5 and the doctor told him straight to his face either eat more fiber and go to the bathroom or they would schedual blood to be drawn. He kinda got scared about the fact that he would be poked with a needle and we used that for a long tie as leverage. It is a hard thing to deal with because it is emotional not a physical thing. They are telling themselves that it is an uncomfortable thing to do and just don't do it. I hate to tell you this but feed her so much fiber it is almost like she has to go or else. The fiber chewables and the dissolve powder have both worked great for my son. You are the first one I have heard of that has the same problem. Good Luck with daughter.

Hi T.,
I have a six year old stepson who went through this thing where he either held in his bm or pooped in his pants. I researched online and found out he had voluntary encompresis. Which meant he was doing it on purpose to feel in control of something,under stress or uncomfortable. I found ways to help him like a counselor and spending one on one time with him. Now he only has "accidents" at his moms house.
It sounds to me like your daughter may have involuntary encompresis and she should go to the doctor. When you do take her suggest this to the doctor. (my doctor never thought of it until I brought it up) There are a lot of things your doctor should be able to suggest for this problem.
One thing I learned from research that stuck with me is never never punish your child for doing this. It only makes it worse. Even though my son was doing it on purpose he couldn't stop.
Hope this helps!
S.

HI T., my little three years old boy used to be constipated all the time we talk to the family doctor and he recomended to give him soy milk and since then we haven't had a problem. I know soy milk doesn't have a nice taste but try it with chocolate or strawberry syrup. She would love it. I hope this help.

Has she seen a pediatric urologist? If not, get her in right away! My daughter held her pee until the last minute when she was around that age and as a result her bladder enlarged. Now she can't tell she has to go until it's an emergency. It's a very difficult thing for a child to recover from because you have to make sure the empty their bladder completely every 2 hours to make the bladder reduce back to normal size. I don't know anything about holding bowel movements but I will say that once we saw the pediatric urologist life was much better! It's called Avoidance Disorder, in other words they are too busy playing that they just wait and wait until the hurt themselves. She could have a fear of bowel movements that caused the problem initailly. Anyway, don't rely on your pediatian. Make them give you a referral and get in right away!

WOW I am glad to know other moms have gone through this... I have a 9 year old who still goes through this. SHe is"too busy" to go to the bathroom. I have found that keeping her on a good diet, lots of fresh veggies,fruits, and granola bars. I also make time for her to go. If i know she hasnt gone in a day or two, I will make her stay in there until she does. SHe rarely argues now and we havent had any major back ups. The diet helps to keep it soft and making her go every few days seems to keep it from backing it up.
hope this helps.