3 year olds problems going to the toilet

[Rachhas84]

Hi
I’m looking for some advice to help my 3 year old daughter. She is totally fine going to the toilet for a wee But is frightened to go for a poo. She has only been going once or twice a week and normally she would go daily when she was in nappies. She is holding it in so that by the time she has to go it’s big and hurts her bum. I definitely think she doesn’t want to go because it has hurt her a few times.
My question really is what do I say to help her understand It’s better for her to go when she needs to rather than holding it in?
It’s making us both unhappy and I really do t know how to help her.
Thanks
Rachel

Hi, I think you’ve posted in the wrong section but we have the same issue.

Tried movicol from the doctors and that helped for a while but seemed to lose effect so my 3yo now has lactulose every night before bed. They aim to get them going at least once a day. He said even if he’s on it a year it’s not going to harm him and he’s much much better going knowing it’s softer and not going to hurt.

He drinks plenty of water but we do struggle with veg, he will eat fruit but it doesn’t seem to do a great deal.

I’d recommend a visit to the gp for some softener so she’s less frightened of going. X

Thank you for replying! First time I’ve been on here!
We tried movicol too but she just went completely the other way and had diarrhoea even if I just gave her it once every couple of days.
I think it’s just a problem in her head and not really that she can’t go, does that make sense?
She has a pretty good diet (lots offruit and veg) and drinks plenty of water so I can’t see a reason for her to be constipated.
Maybe I should try the movicol just a couple of times a week?
Yeah probably best to go back to the go.
Thanks again