So a couple weeks ago my son had some bad gas pains. They resolved pretty quickly, and he hasn't complained of anything since. He's eating well, eats peas or broccoli with lunch/dinner. But the last few days he's been having these mini-poop accidents - just a really small amount showing up in his underwear. And it's like he doesn't notice it - I asked if he thought he needed to "gas" (what he calls farting), and he says yes, but I guess the poop is coming out then. I was thinking he didn't want to stop playing with his trains, or computer games, but it happened today when we were at the play area. I'm not sure if it has happened when he hasn't been doing something he doesn't want to stop doing. I'm wondering if this is a call the pedi thing, or a "needs to pay attention to his body when he's having fun" thing.
Any thoughts, mamas? Have you had this issue? How do you know if it's a physical problem vs. kid playing to focused?
Thanks!
It was encoperisis and we are treating with a light miralax regimen and a fruit and veggie intensive diet. Seems to be working well. He's recognizing bathroom cues for pooping more easily and is more comfortable.
Google "encopresis." Does that fit?
If so, it is constipation--in a way. Laxative regimen. My friends son had this.
I agree he could be constipated and to get him checked out.
http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/encopre.htm
Might be constipated. I would check it out with pediatrician before it gets worse.
If he's not also having regular poops, I also suggest he's constipated. Try giving him Miralax which is OTC. It helps the intestines to absorb water so that the poop is softer and comes out. Or give him fruit juice and crackers with a higher fiber content. Or Milk of Magnesia. Or glycerine suppository. Only if at home remedies don't work take him to the pediatrician. You can also call the advice nurse for ideas on how to handle this.
BTW Miralax is not a laxative. I'm repeating this because many moms on earlier posts seemed to think it is. It works naturally to bring water into the intestines. A laxative is a chemical that causes the intestines to contract.
Sounds like constipation for sure, possibly encopresis. Have him "gas" on the toilet until this is straightened out to avoid accidents. Get him to his doctor, it sounds like he needs Miralax, Pedia-lax laxative, more water, fiber and physical exercise (to get things moving through his system.)
This happened with my daughter recently and went on for months before I figured it out. She was holding the poop because she didn't want to stop playing and then it was getting hard and uncomfortable. I don't like using miralax even tho the ped said I could so we used a more natural approach with pear juice. It worked great on softening the poop and after that was fixed it became a discipline issue to get her not to hold it. I used fruit snacks as a bribe and that worked for us. Good luck
Be careful if you decide to go the laxative route. Laxitives can become like cement if he doesn't drink enough water while taking them, causing the constipation to worsen.
I would go the route of offering more fresh fruit, raw veggies, salads, dried fruit and lots of water.
My kids have had this happen once or twice and it only lasted a few days. I have no explanation for it, unfortunately, but I'd give it some more time before considering it a real issue.
