Normal bowels?

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DS, 6.3 is only opening his bowles twice a week and he's straining really badly. I mean to the point of breathlessness. Sorry if TMI but he is passing 2/3 'logs' about 5-8" long each time he goes.

He has at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day and drinks plenty, probably more than most children his age. He swims twice a week so gets lots of excercise.

He has had allergy problems, hayfever and an unknown.

I am thinking this isn't normal?

Any advice/ ideas?

Doesnt sound normal if he's having to strain to go. Some people do poo less than others so twice a week thing doesnt sound too unusual but it shouldn't be painfull. Does he get tummy ache ?

Eating A lot of bananas constipate my dd so if a lot of his fruit is those it might be worth stopping for a while to see if things improve.

My 6 year old dd gets constipated too, as soon as she's stressed or under the weather. I think its quite common.

That burgen seedy bread is good I find.

Dh eats linseeds when he gets constipated and they work wonders but don't know if that'd be safe for a child, might be worth a google ?

Thanks, I thought he went unusally infrequently, but as I have IBS and go 6 times a day I didn't have a normal base to compare to!

The nurse at my school was saying the other day 3xweek - 3xday is normal, more or less indicates something is wrong.

It really smells aswell which I'm sure shows its not normal? Its not always as hard as the last few times but always a monumental effort. He says it hurts his tummy when he's trying to push.

I'll google linseeds thankyou.

and no he doesn't eat bananas at all really.

I work in a nursing home and deal with a lot of shit. Some peoples really does stink and some peoples doesnt really smell at all and that's with the same diet pretty much.

I think 3x a day to 3 times a week is about right. I go every day dh goes every couple of days (and they stink!!) there's lots of normal.

Eggs can be a bit binding too I think.

I also deal with a lot of shit at work!! Special needs nursery/ reception class!! Thought I would be use to it now !!! Bearing in mind most of these children take movicol!!

The straining is my main concern, I'll try and add more fruit juice to his diet see if that helps.

We should write a book

'turd tales'