8 yr old boy keeps soiling himself

[SaigonSaigon]

My 8 yr old son keeps pooing and weeing himself. It goes through phases of being normal and then like today and yesterday, he's pooed in 3 pairs of pants before getting to the toilet to do the rest. Its like he's held it in for as long as he can, and then goes. I'm sick of it. I've tried every approach with him; I keep talking to him about it to try and get to the bottom of why he does it and basically, it seems he just can't be bothered to go to the loo. He's lazy. I'm mindful of not punishing him for it incase we have a bigger problem here (encopresis or a learning difficulty, for example) but I'm not sure thats it. I've got a young baby and now its the holidays, he's had more iPad/X Box than usual and that does seem to play a part - so do I ban this? I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what did you do. Is this worth a doctor visit, if only to get him talking seriously about it? When I bring it up now, usually after an accident, he gets upset and tells me to take money out of his money box or says he's an idiot. I ask if he can't feel the poo coming out, but its not that. He just doesn't want to go. There's a Cub camp coming up and i've said he can't go because of this problem. He just doesn't seem that bothered about missing it. I'm really worried for him.

Bless him. He’s not doing it on purpose and he isn’t lazy. Yes he needs to see a doctor for medication and an action plan. And a bit of empathy.

Apart from medication you can try and instil habit. Visit toilet after meals. Before you go out. And in between meal times. Try and make it a nice place. Reading matter. Joke books. Nice/fun soap he has chosen. Also have a soiled clothes routine he is involved with. Bucket rinse with disinfectant. In machine.

Worth getting him checked at the doctors, my DD (who is younger) gets this when she is constipated.

You need to get him to the GP as he could be constipated and could be holding on as it's painful for him to go. Is he drinking enough in this hot weather? It would also be worth getting a wee sample checked as its possible he could have an infection.
In the meantime I'd suggest getting him to sit on the loo after meals. It may be worth putting his feet up on a stool while he's sat there as this will increase the pressure in his tummy and encourage him to go.
Praise him for sitting there (10 minutes at least) and as you said try not to get upset or angry with him. The GP will be able to tell you if there's a physical reason for this. Is there a Children's Continence Service in your area? If so I'd ask for him to be referred as they can help if it's a behavioural issue too. If not I'd speak to your school nurse for advice. (We are all amazing!)
The new baby will have been a big change for you all and if this is behavioural he's found a great way to focus your attention back to him. Are you able to spend any 1:1 time with him?
Good luck!

Thanks for the replies. I will get him to the doctors for sure. I like the idea of making the toilet a good place to be as well. I will do this.