Problems with bowel movements

Elizabeth - posted on 02/02/2011

I feel for you...My husband and I went through a similar struggle with our oldest daughter. I think even to this day it was the biggest issue we ever had to deal with as parents ..and the MOST frustrating. She would go #1 no problem but #2 was a fight every time. She would hold it for an entire week until she couldn't anymore and I would have to force her to sit on the toilet to go. Of course, by that time, it was painful because she had waited so long. Rest assured this time did pass for us and she has no problems any longer with it. She was able to go to school on time ..we were concerned that it would impede starting school, it didn't.

We did speak with the doctor on this topic ..he was quite concerned because holding it for this amount of time stretches out the intestines and can cause more serious complications. He prescribed a powder (I'm sorry ..It's been so long I don't remember what it was called..but it is used as a filler in prescriptions.) It had a strange name like p 135 or something similar and it is over the counter. The powder softened the stool so she would see that it doesn't have to hurt.

The tears you are referring to are called Fissures...OMG are they ever painful and never completely go away. You have to treat him immediately after a bowel movement and don't use anything with alcohol to clean his bum..it will hurt a lot. I know it sounds aweful but you will need to put some of the diaper rash cream just a little inside his bum to treat the tear so his pain will improve and he has a better chance of a pain free bowelmovement the next time. I know this from experience and from going to a "bum specialist"
lol

Stifler's - posted on 02/02/2011

Does he drink enough water?

Cheryl - posted on 02/01/2011

We have had similar problems. I could never get my son to eat prunes or prune juice, but he loves peaches and peach juice...it has really helped us. Have you also tried increasing the amount of stool softener you give him. We mix glycolax in with his drink and there is a fine line between not enough and too much...you may just have to play with it. Good luck!

Kirsten - posted on 01/28/2011

Hi, My two and half year old has been the same. We eat lots of vegetables and fruit, the best being kiwifruit. I don't know if you can get them where you are. We are in New Zealand, where they come from. We have also delayed potty training and just get excited if she does a poo. Anika is getting better, still takes lactulose as well. I hope you little one improves.

Aicha - posted on 01/27/2011

try prunes also talk to his doctor

Melinda - posted on 01/27/2011

Strawberries!! These help my little one. She eats lots of fruits and veggies and always has, but still suffers from bowel issues. Which have a history in my family (me included) and she used miralax, but when the medicine doesn't seem to be enough, I buy lots of strawberries. She loves them and eats them like most kids eat candy. It helps her. Perhaps you are offering lots of fruits and veggies, but maybe even though they are on the plate, he isn't eating them. Try to find one he really loves and offer it as a treat to him. See if that actually gets more in him than what he is taking in currently. Good luck, I no your pain. We have waited on potty training to b/c of the pain related to pottying (at times).

Kristy - posted on 01/27/2011

Does he eat lots of fruit and vegies that are rich in fibre? does he eat lots of wholegrains? Does he eat sultanas, dates or prunes, all good for being constipated, or venbetter will he drink prune juice? All of these things will help for the fibre. Prunes will do the trick! As or being scared of the potty, u need to make it an unscary place,put it in the lounge room and pretend to sit on it and play games with it, give him a treat if he just sits on it, read books to him while he sits on it and make it a fun, non stressful place before you even start toilet training and dont push it a that will make it worse. Good Luck.

Renee - posted on 01/26/2011

What does your doctor say? He eats fiber rich vegetables right? (just checking) Does he drink juice? If so is it half and half or more? These are all things that would help, I'm only guessing for ideas here, since I don't know all aspects involved here.