My 4 year-old had a bit of trouble over two weeks ago doing a poo as it was very big and hard and caused a great deal of discomfort when she did it. Ever since then, she has been petrified of doing a poo in case it hurt her again. When she sits on the loo, her legs come out and she just locks up and we have had to sit with her for hours on end until she does it. When she does do one, she says that it didn't hurt and is as 'happy as Larry'. She KNOWS it doesn't hurt her but still won't just sit on the loo and poo! This is driving me to distraction and causing so much stress within the family due to amount of time she's spending in the loo. If we leave her alone, she just screams which made us think it was an attention-thing but the look on her face when she is on the toilet is frightening. She looks as though someone has a knife to her throat and she sweats profusely. Each time she says she won't do it again and will just sit on the loo and do a normal poo but it never happens.
2006-08-19 21:56:38 · 7 answers · asked by Sue K 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
My niece used to have similar problems brought on by insufficient drinking of liquids. Poops should be moist - constipation dries them out (gosh I can't believe I am writing this)!!
I would advocate you speak to your doctor for their opinion, but my suggestion would be to increase the amount of fluid water or non citric juices. Lactulose is recommended as the most gentle of "poop softeners" but I think you should only do that on your doctor's advice.
Your daughter will be only able to hold a poo so long if it is moist!! Did she break the skin when it hurt?? If so using a little vaseline on the outside might ease any future passing - just to get her confidence back......
As for the psychological approach for the fear, in my personal experience I would try rewards/presents etc. Some people may think that is "spoiling" them, but when you have a child that is developing a fear you need to put a stop to it before it becomes a long term issue. Don't say anything that suggests to your daughter she is inadequate, just focus on preparing her for these occasions by promises of (for the first few times) a small barbie or whatever she likes....for a being a brave girl. If there is a character that she thinks of a brave (in movies for example) get her to act like the person. (my daughter becomes Hermione when she wants to be brave).
I hope this hotch potch is of some help. Good luck....and by the way it will pass (the poop and your daughter's fears)!!
2006-08-19 22:11:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cousin had this problem with her daughter when she was around that same age. She took her to doctors and everything, they kept telling her nothing was wrong. Poor thing would go to the bathroom and sit there, but her problem was this, she didn't want to poo, so she would prevent it from coming out. She would have the same horrid look on her face while she was in there. My cousin would sit there with Abbie until she went poo poo. This went on for a couple of years with her, and my cousin always had to be in there with Abbie to make her go poo. Finally Abbie told my cousin that she didn't like to poo because it stinks and it made her gag. Funny as it sounds, but it is true. She would rather have not pooed to prevent from gagging. My cousin started keeping air fresheners in there for her so she wouldn't have to smell the poo and gag. We laugh about it now, but at the time it was a worrying time for my cousin. She had to try and explain to a young child that keeping your poo in is not healthy for your body. Good luck with your daughter and her poo in the loo.
2006-08-19 22:45:21 · answer #2 · answered by Deanna C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a difficult one!! She is obviously very frightened, have you checked to make sure her bottom isn't sore in anyway? Is she the one that says she needs to go to the loo, or are you putting her on it because you think she needs to go? Perhaps it would be worth trying to keep her off the loo, and be prepare for a few accidents. Alternatives are trying some Bach remedies for fear, you can get them in health shops.
2006-08-19 22:07:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you make sure she doesn't become constipated again, all you can do is ensure her it won't hurt. After some time, once she realises it'll be ok she'll be fine. If she's still having problems after a few weeks I'd get some advice from the Dr or health visitor.
2006-08-19 22:08:54 · answer #4 · answered by koolkatt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my 2 yr old had the same problem, we went to the doctor, she said to give her 1-1 1/2 tsp of MyLanta at night for a week. i only did it for 2 days and it worked perfectly. my daughter was fine after that....i bought some cherry flavored MyLanta at Target...she liked the taste ...
2006-08-19 22:03:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
attempt putting your self in her place. She lives along with her grandma at the same time as her brother lives with you. and you have yet another toddler coming who additionally will finally end up residing with you... yet she does not. She's feeling rejected via you. She doens't understand why she has to stay with Grandma at the same time as right here siblings get to stay with you. In her innovations you have despatched her away. She's jealous of her brother. It seems such as you do no longer know her o.k. and probable do no longer spend plenty one on one time along with her to make her sense particular the two. you may desire to pass on some mommy daughter dates and carry out a little issues that ladies do. pass cling out on the mall at the same time and get your hair and nails carried out at the same time. pass see a action picture at the same time. pass out to consume at the same time. while she's with you the way plenty time to do spend sitting on the floor and twiddling along with her? Do you study to her? How plenty time are you easily spending along with her doing some thing at the same time? in basic terms answer those questions for your self, i do no longer want the solutions. you may desire to make her sense which you're making an investment time and attempt into her existence. remarkable now it does not appear as if she's getting somebody interest. it would desire to be she's being fed undesirable tips from Grandma or human beings as to why she's no longer with you. you may desire to accomplish a little investigating and locate out what else is going on in her existence.
2016-09-29 11:31:14 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi my 6month old had bad trouble with same thin and also held it in i tried fig of syrup from chemist it was fantastic better than lactulose it will make it soft
2006-08-19 23:40:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋