Holding back?

[Tea Lady]

I won't bore you with my DD's long and painful history with constipation, but to cut a long story short, I think she has now developed a holding back problem. She won't do no.2s on the potty (but no.1s are fine) - she has to be standing up, and usually when she thinks she's trying to do no.2s, it really seems like she's trying NOT to go, not trying to go (if that makes any sense at all). The end result is that she's constipated, miserable and in pain.

Has anyone had problems like this? I'm at my wits end with her - I can't think of anything to help :(

[2girls&1boy]

Hi Tea Lady,

My 3 year old has recently had this issue... Her problem started when she was obviously constipated a little bit and strained and had a little fissure on her bottom. So pretty much everytime she had to do a #2 it hurt so she basically would stop herself going all the time.

SHe would be playing normally and then she would obviously get a poo pain and her whole body would tense up until the pain went away. It was a real concern as she did this for about 8 days.

We saw our doctor and she recommend giving her parachoc(sp?) each day for about 2 weeks and also she had to have 2 lots of microlax(up the bottom) as there was a bit of a (ahem) build up so to speak.

We also told her she would get a little treat each time she did a poo and didn't hold it back. It was a KiT KAt and we had to cap it at 1 as she was doing about 3 after the parachoc kicked in!!!. SHe is now back to going every day with no probs at all.

Sorry it is such a long post. I hope this helps.

[lukaelmo]

Oh poor Jojo :(...

Does it hurt for her to go? Is that why she is trying to hold it in? I don't have any new ideas for you really, I know you have tried everything and then some...

[Tea Lady]

Thanks Gracesmum and Ali :)

I should have said that she's already taking a laxative (2 actually!) every day because of her chronic constipation issues - so in theory it shouldn't be a problem for her to go.

I think the holding back (if that's what it is ) started when we moved her into her big bed - she used to play in her cot and would do no.2s while she was standing up playing before she went to sleep, but because she can't go unless she's standing, I think she got out of routine when she changed beds. I sometimes go in there now and she's standing up in bed trying to go (or not go!). Poor little thing. :(

I have no idea how to teach her to push while she's sitting down - if she could go on the potty that would solve alot of her problems I think.

[Rainbowbrite]

Lucy, what about getting a set of steps for the toilet? MJ uses them, will see if I can find a link. We got them at Big W. That way she can put pressure on the step as if she is standing.

I notice MJ stops herself from going a fair bit. I have to sit in front of her with my hands on her legs or she won't go. DH gets told to go away & get mummy :o But yeah, I can see her closing her bum instead of pushing iykwim.

[Oscar's mum]

I know this is not an option but sounds like she needs one of those Japanese toilets where you stand. I wonder if you could get something similiar to fit on your toilet????

[Rainbowbrite]

Here you go. Its called a Bambino Toilet Trainer (http://www.bigw.com.au/Pages/DEPARTMENTS/baby/bathtime.asp). Cost about $30.

[Percy]

Oh poor JoJo, that sounds miserable.

One of DH's mates had a similar problem with his little girl. Ill get him to ring tonight and find out some more for you. She is over it now, i just can remember how they got it sorted.

[misskittyfantastico]

I have a friend who's daughter sounds exactly like JoJo. She's got absolutely dreadful constipation and is on all sorts of laxatives which has led to her continually holding back....it's been going on for nearly 18 months now. Their whole day revolves around poos. She's actually got an appt for hwe DD with a paediatric psych to try and arm herself with new techniques to try....I'll let you know how she gets on.

:hugs: to you and JoJo.....it's a really tough thing to be dealing with.

[Tea Lady]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone :)

Your friend sounds like she must be in a similar situation MKF - our day revolves around poo (or lack of) as well - such fun! :rolleyes:

We do have another appt with the paed next week, so I'll talk to him more about the step idea - that sounds interesting.

I also did a google and found out some more info that might help, but if anyone hears anything that might help, please please please tell me! :o :)

[IAdoreYou]

It's funny you mention this, DD has been potty training this week and she won't do # 2 on the potty, she prefers to stand up or just have a nappy on and be by herself when pushing it out.

She has been wearing undies or training pants, whatever is dry the past 2 days between 8-5, after 5 it's back to nappies, we are just doing the day training here 1st, anyway she tells me "pee potty mummy" and we run in and she pee's, but, last 2 days I've noticed she won't poo until her nappy is on and she is relaxed doing her thing, tonight I think she was glad to have her nappy back on again as she pretends to get my attention focused on something else, tonight she told me to look at the bugs in the light "look BUGS she said" while I look back and she is holding onto the back of the lounge going red and pushing madly and still pointing to the light saying "Buuuuug mummmy buggg" doing a # 2 :D
2 mins later she says "pee potty mummy" :thumbsup: got to love kids. I just need her to relax on the potty somehow for # 2's.

[Tea Lady]

I read a suggestion on a website that said to get them to sit on the potty for 5-10mins (good luck!) after meals, because there are bowel contractions (or something) that happen naturally after meals, so they might get the urge to go while they're sitting there. Could be worth a try :)