Ds is holding his poop in. Help

CantWait2Be

So he's getting over a diaper rash which made his butt sore and he'd cry when he pooped. Now he's doing everything he can not to poop. Looks like he's trying hard to poop but the way he arches his body makes me think he's trying to hold it in. How do I make him have a good poop so he knows its okay?

chuicafina

Have you tried a glycerin suppository right when he seems like he needs to poop? I would probably try that since glycerin suppositories have helped DS in the past. I would also probably call his pedi and ask if there's anything else to try. DS's PNP specifically said to watch out for this kind of avoidance behavior when he was constipated as a younger baby. She said it could be hard to break and would make the constipation worse :-( 

  

butterfly62682

This happened to my nephew about 6 months ago and he will not poop regularly now. He will hold it in until he just has to go. Then he will only let a little out to release the pressure and continue to hold the rest in.  I blame SIL for this problem but that is another story.

I am saying this because if you don't solve the problem now it could turn into a fear of pooping. I would make sure his butt is lubbed up for the first few days and maybe if you know he is pooping, hold him with his knees to his chest. His back to your chest arms under his knees. This will help stop him from arching to hold it in. 

Is it hard? Is he constipated? He will have to go at some point, his body will take over. I just hate that he is suffering. GL

ETA: I also agree with the suppositories. If it will help him, then I don't see any harm in doing it.

CantWait2Be

His stool is soft and he's doing super tiny ones. I think cuz he's trying to hold it in and that just sneaks out. I've given him juice and grapes thinking that might make him go. But I relly think he's fighting it. Where do I get the suppositories? How soon would I give those? He's also stiffening up and not letting us look and trying not to let us wipe him. He's a bit red in the butthole again.

dannie2011

I would not do the suppository, since you know hes not constipated just use vaseline all around his little butthole.  Alexis went through the same thing after her bad rash, he will go just make sure he is well coated so when he does it doesn't irritate anything.  How long has it been since he went and how long has the rash been pretty much gone?

CantWait2Be

He frequently makes pretty much just a streak in his diaper. Once in a while like when waking from a nap or overnight hell have a small turd pressed against his butt. He's had this small turd today I think every day since rash actually but no good decent size poop. He's still acting like he's either trying to go or not to go multiple times per day. I've been trying to hold him and bend his legs as much as I can but then he stops. I'd say his rash hasn't been completely gone yet, was just looking better but is getting red again. We're gonna get some ad and give that a shot.

CantWait2Be

He's now had a pretty firm decent sized poo but has since continued with his straining and only tiny poo coming out. Wish I could tell if he's scared and trying to hold in or having a hard time getting out. Poor guy. Can't decide if/when to call the doc

lovebugkim

It sounds like he's constipated. I would give him some apple juice mixed with water of course, make sure his poor butt is lubed up with vaseline & see what happens.

germanpickle

Not a popular opinion but I suggest allowing your little guy to wander around without a diaper for two reasons. 1. to give the rash a chance to heal 2. to see if your little guy is willing to freely poop when a diaper is present

There could be so many reasons. Like he hates the feel of poop against his skin. Or that the rash hurts when he poops. Or he is constipated. Or he has a physical issue. Before you treat it, I would suggest discovering if he poops in a slightly different set-up.

A child at my little man's day care was ready for potty training long before anyone thought and this was the only symptom (unwillingness to poop with diaper on).

I would also suggest talking to a doctor if this continues.