3yr old holding poop!!!

[Alwaystired4]

DD is 3 will be 4 in autumn
She had a phase of holding in her poop every month or so
I thought I'd cracked the problem with some innocent coconut drinks (basically the fibre boost made the bowel movements happen i guess) and increased fluid intake. More fibre in diet etc...
No problems for months and i thought yay we're over it!
This week it's started again! I know she needs to poop but she crosses her legs and holds it!
All the medical advice I'm getting is to give lactoluse...doesn't seem like a long term solution to me and i dont wanna ply her with that stuff all the time in case it messes up her bowels in the long run
Any suggestions?
Any grouchy comments will be ignored!
Thanks mumsnet x x x x x x

Anyone had a child who's done it? Xxx

She might really wanna go but she’s scared. Banana is really good to help go. You can also try weetabix. Any wholemeal products are good sources to help her go without struggling. But of course don’t give too much of these - just moderate amounts. Hope this helps.

Yep both my daughters did this!! This what I did, obviously I have fairy magic and turn poo and water different colours 😁. Tell her you can do this, obviously she will have to do a poo first, then she has to turn around/ go out the room while you say the magic words (putting food colour in the bowl) - hey presto!! She can pick the colour, different every time!! Then after you say bye to the poo when your flushing it and wave it on its way to see it’s other poo friends. No idea why the saying bye worked but it really did!

Any chance you can give something like Fybogel? That can be used for months. Check if there’s an age restriction on that though

Pear juice on an empty stomach.
We use glycerin suppositories if it’s been a few days since the last time as otherwise it hurts too much and sets up a vicious cycle.

@Workinghardeveryday this made me laugh so much but it's genius!!!! I am so going to try this 😆😆😆😆

@MySocalledLoaf thank u i haven't heard of pear juice il have a look! Xxxxx

You don’t want to hear my experience but I’ll tell you anyway!
My son withholds, has done for 10 years. Yep, 10.
He’s now coming up to 12.

He has been on lactulose, cosmocol and sodium picosulphate. He’s on double adult does and has been for over a decade. He has regular X-rays, bowel biopsies and they’re now saying he needs anal irrigation system or a colostomy bag.

At that age I was given so much conflicting advice and nothing worked (he is autistic though)

I would say, make the loo a welcoming place, let her choose some posters, put a basket of sensory toys and bubbles (the squeezing and blowing relaxes the bowel) read to her and make it a nice time. Ten minutes morning, after lunch and evening.
There’s also poo books, poo top trumps, find the poo book. Anything you can do to normalise it. Use diet to make it so soft so it doesn’t hurt and with a bit of luck and consistency she will realise going every day or two doesn’t hurt and it’s not a big deal. Good luck.

@Mymapuddlington thank u i hadn't thought about making much of the loo, the sensory toys I'd never have thought of that! Sometimes when i read her a book on th loo she has a movement 🤔🤔🤔 xxx