Toddler afraid to poop

[Megsro]

Hi all

I think I've put this under the right topic because it's sortve behavioural?

Anyway, my daughter is 2 and is so afraid to poo. She is fully potty trained, no nappies at night, done so well with that. But from she's been younger she is afraid of pooing? I don't know where the fear ever came from, but she's terrified to the point she will clench and hold it in for as long as she can (resulting in staining a lot of pants!!). The doctor gave me lactulose but it doesn't actually stop her from holding it in, it just makes her more uncomfortable. I've tried giving her an iPad or talking to her whilst she goes to distract her but it doesn't work.

Anyone any suggestions or went through similar? Hoping she comes out of this as she gets older!

Was she afraid when she was still in a nappy?
Early toilet training can result in witholding if they are physically ready but not emotionally ready. My DD1 did this and tbh it was a nightmare for quite a while.. she got horribly constipated from holding on (and was on lactulose)
In the end putting her back in a nappy (as pullups weren't a thing) and taking all pressure off helped ...yes it was a 'backward' step but it helped to break the cycle of holding it in.

Also have a look at ERIC website... lots of info there!! We had to lift DD1 at our bedtime and pop her on the loo, (once she was too old to have a nappy) half asleep she would relax enough to poo... but we had to do that til she was 6.
She did grow out of it in the end!