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Help getting my constipated 4 yo to use the toilet

2 replies

littlemissmagic · 26/11/2013 12:39

My 4YO has suffered from constipation & encopresis since he was 2.

He's had the right referrals, we are on medication and slowly seems to be on the right path. He's still soiling a little but no where near as much. Life is becoming a bit more bearable.

Whilst I am thrilled to have this improvement, I am also very aware that he will only poo in a potty, not the toilet. We put him back on the potty following advice this would make it easier for him to push anything out than sitting with legs swinging on the toilet.

He's grown very attached to the potty and now refuses to use the toilet for poos at all. I have a great not wobbly seat for him that fits on the loo and now he is older his feet just reach the step if I put it next to the loo.

One part of me is thrilled he is pooing anywhere but his pants! But another part of me sees him getting less and less likely to poo on the loo as time goes on. Its an issue when he's at school, visiting friends houses and if we go anywhere really. He seems to soil when the potty is not available.

Has anyone else gone through this experience and any ideas to help? I don't want to undo all the good work we have done on his constipation by forcing the issue.

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Madmog · 26/11/2013 14:12

My daughter suffered from constipation and would only poo if we put a nappy on her, even though she was totally using the toilet for wees. One day we were out and she was desperate for a poo and had no nappies. Because she needed to go so much, I was really firm and told her she had to at least sit on the toilet. I crouched down, holding her legs, looked into her eyes all the time and kept talking. It was the last place I would have wanted to go myself, we were in cold old public loos. Much to my amazement she managed to go and that totally broke the cycle and gave her the confidence to try at home (I had to stay with her the first few times though), especially as I pointed out it was a lot more cozy at home. I can't give you any advice on how it's done, but try and relax and hopefully it will happen soon.

grizzabellia · 26/11/2013 14:19

Hi, i had similar problem with my 4 year old being scared to do a poo after being constipated. There is a book you can download the pdf of called 'poo goes to pooland" about a poo's journey down the toilet back to his family - yes it is ridiculous but she and my toddler thought hysterical and wanted it read repeatedly. It seemed to help a bit along witj meds/ rewards etc.

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