ok so i have a son who will be 5 in march and he's been FULLY potty trained for over 2 years - lately however he's been pooping in his pants - daily!! and often times more than once - and to top it off i have to keep reminding him to go!! i have taken things away that doesnt seem to help. My friend says its normal - but if it is how do i stop it? and/or how long does it last? and has anyone ever dealt with this?? HELP ME!!
thanks in advance!
My son also did this and had no control. He was completely potty trained and it happened out of the blue. I took him to the doctors and he ended up having a strept infection in his rectum, that according to the doctor can be common in boys. I never heard of this. They gave him antibiotics and he has been fine ever since.
We have a 7 year old that was potty trained and now does it too. We had him checked out and found that at the time he was severely constipated (according to X-rays the doctor ordered). The doctor got him on Miralax, got him cleaned out, but he still does it. Next came a psychologist who told us about encopresis. Look it up-very informative. We're still working with it and a psychologist.
So you're not alone, and it is more common than you think.
Hi S.,
There have been some similar posts on here that you may want to check out & research. I have a 5.5 yo and while I have not had this problem with him, it seems that there is a condition which is basically constipation that then has some "matter" working it's way out around the blockage and out into the pants. They really can't control it or even know when it's going to happen. I think perhaps you may need to add fiber to his diet--even with a supplement in juice, etc.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll get some responses from moms with first-hand experience.
You don't say how long "lately" is but if it continues more than a couple weeks, I would recommend a consult. Check with your doctor to rule out physical causes. Then get a consult with a therapist who specializes with children. A play therapist would be great. They often can help you figure it out in a few sessions (assuming no other issues). It is a commmon way for children to express stress. Sounds like you need someone to help figure out what is the stressor and help you deal effectively. Punishment will not work. Good luck.
there was another request a while back about an 8yo with the same issue. let me see if i can find it!
nope, can't find it.
rice, bananas, and apple sauce (the skins make you go, the part without skins helps you stop).
nervous? does he obsess about anything that would be making his bowel over reactive?
ask him about sensation. does he feel anything before he goes? if not... trip to the doctor.
I cannot believe that your friend said it was normal. You need to talk to your pediatrician. Poor kid :(
I had this exact post a few weeks ago only it was my nearly 5 year old daughter that was pooping in her pants. I had ALOT of resposes to it, you may want to do a search and see if you can find them. Basically, it came down to constipation. My daughter was doing it daily also, even at friends houses. I called the Dr and they told me to use Miralax, an over the counter laxative to ease the constipation.
Here were the directions: 1 cap full mixed in water or juice (it is a powder) 2x/day until she/he is going reuguarly with nice soft stools, then decrease to 1x/day and then everyother day to keep him regular. You can stop it and restart it as needed.
Just as a heads up, my friend gave her daughter 1 capful when she was 3 or 4 and had trouble with diarrhea. So, make sure you will be home for a while, or close to a potty, after giving to him incase he gets too "loose."
Good Luck
L.
Hi S.!
This is not normal! Talk to his doctor. There could be something that is bothering him that he can't deal with. I wouldn't punish him. Find out what is wrong and be suportive. My friends son started wetting his pants again at age six. After weeks of it, she finally got him to talk to her. He was being teased in the boys bathroom at school.
Hi S.!
Frustrating, isn't it? Been there...and after being so happy about being done with diapers!
I found that this is called "encopresis" and can actually be a medical condition. I'd google it to learn a little more than bring your research to your family doctor (or Pediatrician) and ask his/her opinion. :)
Dont scold him.....Is something happening at school or something? Try and get him to talk to you.....Maybe he is having prob holding it......Is he feeling okay????Hope you figure it out....
