4.7 year old having constant poo accidents

[Jemma2907]

My son took forever to toilet train, over a year! The week he started school last September he suddenly stopped having accidents and even became became dry at night. He still had the odd wee accident at home but generally only when he'd been distracted for too long. He hadn't had poo accidents for months but the just before Christmas, he soiled himself twice at school. When I asked him why, he said he didnt want to stop playing. I made it clear how important it was to go to the toilet when be needed too etc. Throughout the xmas holidays he continued to soil himself rather than go straight to the toilet. It's not a full poo, he's obviously holding it in and what ends up in his pants and trousers is leakage. When we notice is when he will go and sit on the toilet and let himself go. It doesnt matter how many times I ask him throughout the day, he will wait until he's soiled himself and then go on the toilet. It happened again at school today, he told me he had an accident as soon as I picked him up so then I had to take him back into the classroom and make him sit on the toilet so he could go I could get him cleaned up. I really dont know what to do, I feel so upset about it. I've tried a reward chart for every time he takes himself for a poo. He hasn't had 1 star in 3 weeks! Any help appreciated!

[Sunshinegirl82]

I haven't been in this situation yet (I am still trying to get my 3.5yo to potty train!) but I understand that schools can access a continence nurse. Perhaps this is something they'd be able to help with? You could also try your health visitor?

[Mercier1]

From my personal experience sounds like tour son may be constipated. The ERIC website and helpline is amazing and can really help with this. Good luck

[Thisisgreen]

As a pp said it sounds like constipation, in which case he may not be able to help soiling himself sometimes. Contact ERIC as the pp suggests or visit your GP for advice.