What could be wrong with my 4 year old son?

Question

When my son tries to poop it hurts him so he ends up streaking in his underwear all the time because he says it hurts him to poop, but when he does poop its really big, is there something we could give him or do to help him feel better when he does have to poop so they don't hurt as bad and so he will use the toilet instead of being afraid because it hurts too much

Answer 1

Oh my goodness...I could have written this same thing 10 years ago...my son was the same way!!

My son was "too busy" to go poop, because he didn't want to stop playing, and so he was almost 4 by the time I finally got him toilet-trained. So he'd hold it until he couldn't stand it any more and then he'd go and because it all sat there in his bowel for so long, it gets harder and more impacted because the moisture is reabsorbed by the body.

Finally, he all but lost his sensation that he had to "go" because of basically abusing his body for so long. I can't tell you that he's much better now actually...

I wish I had been better about giving him fiber and making him go potty every single day, make sure he went. I did do enemas a couple of times but he viewed it as a punishment and I think it sort of scarred him for life, I don't know...

Try to get him super-hydrated and give him some fiber cereal and see if you can explain to him that when he waits to go poop, THAT'S why it hurts. If he goes every day, it will help.

There is a reflex called the gastro-colic reflex that is supposed to make you have to move your bowels right after you eat. Remember when you fed him as a baby and he'd fill his diaper when he was eating? That is that reflex working.

So now try to get him to go poop right after he eats, maybe 20 minutes later. My doc encouraged me to do that with my son to hopefully get that reflex working again. We're making some progress, but 14-year-olds REALLY don't want to talk about bathroom issues with their Mom....

Answer 2

He is constipated poor kid. Increase his fibre. Try giving him a spoonful of mineral oil each night. Start of with two teaspoons the first night, then one the next, then two again the next night...the mineral oil will loosen his stool and isn't as strong or harsh as laxatives and even works better. He really needs more fibre and lots of water too each day to stay regular. Have him eat more fruits and veggies, fresh are best. Put a spoon of Metmucil (fibre) in his cereal every other day...you don't want to give him the runs so try some of these. If he is too constipated he could even get hemmorhoids down the road and you don't want that. Holding it in is not healthy either and can cause abdominal pain. The mineral oil works, so start that right away and ease off when he goes and just use it once a week or so after that or when he hasn't gone by the 3rd day.

Oh and apricots and kiwi are good poop inducing fruits...pediatrician recommended! :~)

Answer 3

I'm so sorry to hear that.

My little brother had something like that when he was about 3. So we went to see a doctor and apparently his colon had a problem where it's a bit tight near the end (rectum I guess). This only happens when a child has matured into 3-5 years of age. So he had a small operation done to him to settle the problem.

He's now 13 years old and plays basketball representing his school.

So I would suggest you bring your son to a doctor to see what's happening. I hope his problem is not as serious as my brother's. Good luck, take care of him well ok.

Answer 4

Is your son drinking enough water and eating at least a couple of pieces of fruit a day? If you gave him some prune juice to drink this would soften things up and it should not hurt him then, if he does not like the prune juice you could try other juices, or if you could get him to eat half a dozen prunes with his morning or afternoon tea as a snack. Good Luck!

Answer 5

My son did the same thing. Fruit juice helps soften the stools. But for the most part it just took time he eventually started using the bathroom with no problem. I don't think there is really any cure all answer. Good luck.

Answer 6

I know someone whose child had this problem at about the same age. It turned out that he was drinking way too much milk and not eating enough fruits and veggies.

Once the cut down to one or two glasses of milk a day and added juice, fruit and veggies, he got regular. And drinking water never hurts either.

Answer 7

My nephew has had this same problem, and still does once in awhile. It usually ends up in a call to the doctor to get a stool softener. I would take him to the doctor first, so you can get the stool softener thing going. Then, find out what is a good diet for him. My nephew eats a special fiber bar every day (usually split up so he gets part at lunch, part at supper, etc.), and I know they watch his diet - but I'm just not sure what they do and don't let him eat.

Answer 8

What causes constipation?
Constipation is likely to happen when your child doesn't drink enough water, milk or fruit juices, or if your child doesn't eat a healthy diet that includes enough fiber. Fiber is found in foods such as cereals, grains, fruits and vegetables. If your child eats a diet high in fat and refined sugars (candy and desserts), he or she is probably not getting fiber, which may result in constipation.

Constipation may also begin when you change your baby from breast milk or baby formula to whole cow's milk, and when your switch from baby food to solid food. Sometimes constipation happens after your child has been sick or has taken certain medicines. You should not be concerned if your child becomes constipated. Constipation is common in children and usually goes away on its own.

Young children with chronic constipation often ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Your child may not want to interrupt play, ask a teacher or use a public restroom. When a child avoids bowel movements, stool builds up in the lower bowel. The stool becomes larger and harder. Passage of the stool can be painful and makes children want to avoid having a bowel movement even more.

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What can I do if my child is constipated?
There are manyt hings you can do to help your child:

Diet--You can start by increasing the amount of fluid your child drinks every day. If your baby is eating cereal, you can try adding a little prune juice to it.. If you have an older child, make sure they are drinking plenty of water, and you can also give them large prune juice, bran cereal, and fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber.

Bowel habit training--Your child should be taught not to wait to have a bowel movement. To establish a regular bowel habit, ask your child to sit on the toilet for at least 10 minutes at about the same time each day, preferably after a meal. Make sure your child can place his or her feet firmly on the floor while sitting on the toilet. If this is not possible, put a footstool in front of the toilet. While your child is sitting on the toilet, you might let your child read a story book or listen to the radio.

Medicine--Many laxatives are available to treat constipation in children. The choice of laxative depends on the age of your child and how serious the constipation is. Ask your family doctor to suggest a brand name and tell you how much to use.

Start a reward program-Begin rewarding your child for just sitting on the toilet. For example, if your child sits on the toilet at the planned time, reward your child with a favorite activity.

If your child has a bowel movement, give your child praise and a reward. Try not to use food as a reward. Some children like to be awarded with stickers or stars on a shart. Older children like to add up points for a larger reward, such as a trip to a movie theater.

If the constipation doesn't get better, or if you think your child has chronic constipation, take your child to see your family doctor. Constipation can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem.

Go to familydoctor.org for the full info.

Answer 9

A stool softener or laxative. But you don't want to use it all the time. You can also try giving him more fiber in his diet and fruit and veggies. "Little Tummies" makes a good laxative in the form of drops -- chocolate flavor. That works well. I had a similar problem with my youngest daughter. The 'drops' work pretty well and don't taste nasty. Good luck.. hope he feels better.

Answer 10

try getting him to eat natural foods that make you poop. Applesauce works great and it comes in many flovors too!
it will loosen his stool and make it easier just don't over do it too much and he will have the runs which is not fun either!!!