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Stool refusal

Resource Type

Parent Handouts and Info - Parent

Description

Immediate suggestions are given to reduce constipation and painful stools, such as specific changes in diet. Also suggestions are given for dealing with the underlying behavioral and emotional causes of stool refusal.

Ages

All Ages

Age Groups

Infancy (<1), Toddlerhood (1-3), Preschool/Kindergarten (3-5), School Age (6-12)

Web Address

http://resources.childhealthcare.org/cocoon/dtw/parent-text/elimination/stool_refusal.html

Languages

English

Stool refusal

Stool refusal

Sometimes children who are used to the potty for peeing may refuse to use it for poops. This may last a few days, weeks or months. Be understanding and supportive. Tell your child, "You may not be ready to use big kid underpants yet. That's okay. For now, we'll just use diapers" and then use diapers all the time.

There are many possible causes of stool refusal. These include a fiesty temperament, conflict with parents, or fears. Constipation and painful stools can be either a cause or a result of stool refusal but is usually present. If your child is constipated and has painful stools it is very important to deal with this right away. Here are few things that should help.

  • Have your child eat at least 5 grams of fiber plus their age in years (7 grams for a 2 year old). High fiber foods include skinned apples, peas, peaches, pears, Fig Newtons, corn, raw tomatoes, sweet potatoes, popcorn, prunes, pineapples, whole wheat or bran bread and bran muffins.
  • Metamucil wafers, Milk of Magnesia, Miralax, or Citrucel are helpful in softening stools.
  • Have your child drink plenty of water. Apple juice may either soften stools or cause constipation in different children.
  • Also keep away from constipating foods like too much milk, cheese, cooked carrots, rice and bananas.
  • Try switching to soy milk (it softens stools) instead of cow milk.

Once your child's constipation has decreased think about what else might be causing your child to hold in their stools.

If your child has a difficult or "feisty" temperament, try to work with them. Some kids just want to do it themselves and don't want to be pushed or persuaded to do anything. That's okay. Just back off of potty training, put the child back in diapers and let your child take over. Your child will tell you when they are ready to use the potty. Use regular diapers not pull-up diapers as they reduce desire for underwear. At age 2 kids are learning to gain control over their emotions and actions. This is a BIG job. So let them gain confidence and self-esteem in areas other than potty training. Give your child tasks that make them in control and successful. Have them feed the pets, wash their hands or wipe the table with a sponge.

The same tips hold true if you are running into conflict with your child. Potty training overlaps with the age at which most kids start to gain independence. Respect their need to do things on their own. Just be there when they ask for help.

Try to tolerate some messes. Kids need to make messes so they learn how things work. Learning how things work allows them to gain confidence and self-esteem. They also need to tolerate the mess of wiping their bottom. If your child seems upset by messes, try finger painting even with chocolate pudding. Do this with your child so they can see that it is okay and fun!

If your child has fears related to using the potty talk about them. Some kids fear falling into the toilet. Others fear losing their genitals in the toilet. These fears are normal. Reassure your child. Tell them to sit backwards for stability. Let them know that their genitals are 'theirs forever, no one can ever take it away'. Some kids fear letting their stools go because they don't know where water from the toilet goes. Explore the toilet and its pipes to increase your child's sense of control.

If these ideas don't help, talk to your pediatrician so the constipation doesn't come back or get worse.

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