Is it normal for a 4 year old to poo lots?

[Mummytron]

My DD1(4) has had issues for a year and a half. Drs say she is constipated but she goes 4 times a day. She had three episodes of blood over the year and a half. Consultants not concerned as blood tests were ok. I give her movicol but it does change anything. She goes to the poo lots with or without it. Sometimes I get myself worked up that there is something serious because of the blood, but I keep being told its normal.
Any advice please? X

Could it be a food intolerance. Cows milk causes diarrhoea and bloating.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/lactose-intolerance/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Symptoms

I have wondered about intolerance but I don't know much about it. I've asked to to be referred back to discuss this. Do you have experience of this?
She is perfectly healthy and thriving x

Depends on the quantity, really! If she's pooing often, in small quantities, and it's quite runny, that would point towards constipation with overflow. I'm guessing since you were given Movicol, they felt her tummy and that showed her gut was backed up?

Blood could be caused by a fissure. Was it bright red? Bright red is less of a concern because that indicates it came from the lower end of the digestive tract. Dark blackish blood indicates it's coming from further up, and that's more worrying.

It's not runny, 1-3 on th Bristol stool chart. They have felt her tummy lots and said it feels fine!
It was bright red but sort of in or on the poo from what I remember. Not on wiping. It happened in May 14, oft 14 and February 15. So not too regular.
X

Oh, quite the opposite then? And quite small amounts? That's constipation for sure.

Constipation isn't just defined by a hard poo, but when the bowel never fully empties itself during a bowel movement, which leads to a backlog, which leads to more constipation and sluggishness. It's definitely normal to poo frequently when constipated, because harder poos are difficult to pass and therefore the body can't get rid of much in one go.

I wouldn't worry about the blood if the doctors aren't. Straining and hard poo can easily cause fissures.

Definitely persevere with the Movicol. Increase the dose if it isn't softening the poo - that's what it's for! A consultant once told me that mushy pea consistency is the aim

Really? I thought mushy would be too far!!
Thanks for the advice. I will persevere, it's difficult because she has just started school so don't want her to need it too urgently.
Xx

We got my son tested at a private clinic for other things, and it turned out he is milk protein (casein) intolerance. He had the opposite problem in that he used to 'go' once or twice a week, and then was on the toilet for ages.

However, I know lactose intolerance causes ibs- type symptoms. Perhaps swop from cows milk to goats milk or soya milk to see if causes any difference.

Possibly wheat can cause problems also.

Mushy is not too far, no! In fact, when your aim is to really blast the backlog of poo in the gut, you can do the Movicol disimpaction regime, which involves higher and higher doses each day until you reach eight sachets. You're actively wanting them to pass very watery poo. Not fun, but you know the bowel is finally clear.

So, bearing that in mind, mushy is not a problem. I used to worry about my DD experiencing major urgency with Movicol as well, but in her case, it's been a pleasant surprise and she hasn't had any accidents. If anything, she withholds and goes in her nappy in her sleep, but that's another thread!

Thanks driver

rivercam what did the tests involve? I'm guessing you live near me if you're near the river cam? X

It was done with electrical pulses. My son had to hold a probe and various pulses were passed through it. The computer 'read' how he reacted to them. I'm not sure I have explained that clearly. We were recommended to the clinic by two different people. My husband also,got tested there. Its defiantly made a difference to,their health.

Used to love a stone throw away from the River Cam, and had a nice weekend there reminiscing a few weeks ago. I'm in Kent now.

Where was this clinic? Any good for a four year old?

Yes the river Cam is beautiful, but I love Kent too! X

I'll pm you as I'm not sure whether men's rules allow me to post the details public ally.

That sounds very woo, and definitely not a medically proven way of diagnosing allergies.

I agree. Not medically proven. I had been down that route, and was given medicine that got rid of the symptoms, but didn't cure the problem.

Now if my son accidnetly has certain foods with milk in, he gets symptoms straight away. My husband has started drinking coffee and tea black when soya milk is not available, because it affects him instantly also. I'm not normally in alternative medicines/treatments etc, but somehow, this worked.