Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

Painful poo

15 replies

MrsHopity · 16/03/2017 12:36

Hi,

My 15 month old has a bowel movement every day, its soft and medium size. But he is in so much pain before and during. To the point of screaming and tears streaming down his face, it's awful to see my baby in this much pain.

This has been happening for a month, gradually getting worse.

I took him to see gp, and it felt quite pointless, he said it's behaviour issues. I mean, behaviour issues in a 15 month old, like that?! I am not convinced. If no improvement in SIX MONTHS maybe he could prescribe laxatives.

I have no idea what could be the problem, but I don't think it's that. If it was behaviour then distracting would help surely? Nothing helps when he is trying to poo other than rubbing his tummy/back. It's heartbreaking.

He hasn't introduced any new foods, and has no skin problems.

He is still breasted at night but does also drink cows milk, has done since 12 months.

He isn't constipated as they are really soft (but well formed) I don't know what's causing so much pain.

Please mumsnet, any advice?

OP posts:

Report

MrsHopity · 16/03/2017 16:05

Anyone got any advice or experienced similar?

OP posts:

highinthesky · 16/03/2017 16:11

Maybe DS just doesn't like pooing? Does he hold on? Does he get gas? Did the doctor check his bottom for fissures?So many questions!

I can understand that you might think that there's some kind of internal obstruction, but it's impossible to find a reason without a physical examination.

MrsHopity · 16/03/2017 20:58

He checked his bottom and said it looked fine.

He doesn't really have gas at either end.

He just seems still too little to have leant behaviour, he is genuinely in pain before and during every bowel movement. We have tried turning music/tv on when he starts but he is too focused on the pain.

OP posts:

MrsHopity · 16/03/2017 21:01

I don't know what I think, I just was after any similar stories or advice.

Dr said it could get better as he gets bigger and bowel gets stronger. He has been weaned for 9 months now, seems a strange time for it to happen.

OP posts:

NoLotteryWinYet · 16/03/2017 21:03

How much water does he drink? I'd get a second opinion personally - does he look like he's straining? I'd try upping fresh fruit, raisins and soups and see if it helps any. I don't believe it's a behaviour issue at that age either, what rubbish. One dc strains and can get upset even if it's not looking like constipation.

MrsHopity · 16/03/2017 21:19

Sorry just realised I didn't even mention food/drink.

He eats loads of fruit and veg. I don't give raisins because they appeared to make him worse.

I will try increasing fluids, he has plenty wet nappies but it wouldn't hurt to get him drinking more.

He is such a happy boy any other time of day.

Thanks for the replies

OP posts:

MrsHopity · 16/03/2017 21:21

Yes he really strains and goes red in the face. He crys, squats, goes on all fours, rocks, hums ect.

Once he has finished he is back to his happy self

OP posts:

MrsHopity · 16/03/2017 21:23

Can they be constipated if he is going every day, it's soft always at least a 4 on bsc.

OP posts:

NoLotteryWinYet · 16/03/2017 21:25

Doesn't sound right to me to be that upset, I know it's nasty but I've popped mine in the bath if really upset as warmth seems to help. I'd pursue fluids and a second opinion.

NoLotteryWinYet · 16/03/2017 21:27

I think so, my dc's were soft too but she was really straining and more water helped stop that. Either way, your dc is distressed, he's not acting up so I'd see another GP if you can.

highinthesky · 16/03/2017 21:32

It is normal for children to strain to some degree, but crying is not.

I would be tempted to administer 1/2 teaspoon of Lactulose twice a day, and adjust upwards or downwards as necessary. This will make his poo looser, but what you will be watching for is whether it's any easier for DS to pass.

chloesmumtoo · 16/03/2017 21:52

My dd has been on movicol stool softener for most of her life. Suffered loads as a tot but never had a clear explanation. She did used to get constipated and bleed though. But even when fine and we left out the stool softener we would instantly go back to square one. Very strange. Wondered if for some reason she had a small back passage. Also has allergies. They do panic when they have had bad experiences. Both my dc's used to go a bit frantic beforehand. Dd never really drank enough which did not help. The movicol adds fluid to the bowel so much better than any laxatives. Was a bit of a minefield with allergies too. Definately up the fluids.

chloesmumtoo · 16/03/2017 21:55

I think Movicol is from 2 years so your ds is a bit young yet

MrsHopity · 17/03/2017 07:05

Cholesmumtoo thank you. As bizarre as it sounds it's so helpful to hear you have lived through it and not had an explanation. That's just how your dd is.

I'm keeping a diary of what he eats/drink and how he is when pooing. I am going to give him as much fluids as I can.

Fingers crossed something clicks but if not I will get a second opinion.

OP posts:

Poshsausage · 17/03/2017 22:01

You could take out the cows milk and give oat milk maybe my boys have this and never have solid poo see if this helps ?

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.