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3 year old withholding poop...HELP

Annabelle7Annabelle7 member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+
I think it started because he was little constipated and then got a rash around the same time, but DS used to poop once a day with no problem.  Now he is scared to poop and literally shakes cause he tries so hard to hold it in, causing only tiny bits to come out, causing a rash.  See the cycle?  Plus it keeps him up during the night, and naps.  He sits up and whines and grabs his bed to hold it in.  He's miserable and so aren't my husband and I.  We hate seeing him like this, and none of us have been sleeping for like a month now.  We tried Miralax per doctors suggestion and he still fights to hold it in.  We try to offer him prizes if he poops but he will say his pushing and he's really holding it in.  When he does poop, now with help every 4 days, he screams but then claps and is happy he went, but it doesn't break the cycle even though it doesn't hurt.  Did I mention I'm 7 months pregnant with twins on modified bedrest with no one to help b/c everyone is sick or working.  :(  Please someone have a suggestion. 
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Re: 3 year old withholding poop...HELP

  • NathsPrncssDNathsPrncssD
    We've been dealing with this same problem for about 9 months! Fun times! NOT! Lol! We did the Miralax for a long time and had some good results...but it just wasn't going away. I finally called and talked to my doc about two weeks ago and she suggested increasing the Miralax and it has been helping. For some reason I thought I should just give her enough to make the poop soft, but by giving he more it helps her poop more at a time. (Did you ever imagine you would discuss poop so much in your life!? :)) I've also been giving her smoothies with lots of berries that seem to help. Oh and Triple Paste is so helpful with the rashes too. Ugh, this is such a crappy situation (pun intended!). I totally feel your pain! Try increasing the Miralax and see if that helps!!! It has for us! Good luck!!!
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  • Lynn07Lynn07 member
    When we first started PT DS1, he started holding it, too. He went from pooping 2x per day in a diaper to once every 23 days on the potty. I asked the pedi, and he suggested Pedialax. It's a chewable tablet that softens and stimulates the bowels. I wasn't sure I wanted to give him meds, but the pedi explained that he feels its more of a supplement than a medication it's mostly magnesium. We started with 2 tabs the first day the next day DS went. One tab for the next 34 days kept him regular, and he lost his fear of pooping on the potty. No problems ever since. Now we only give him one if its been more than 2 days only happened probably 2 times since we started. Hope that helps!

    Eta Posting from my phone. Those 2 digit numbers should have dashes in between them!
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  • 2-Step2-Step member

    My DS used to poop twice a day and was so proud of himself. He got constipated and now he won't poop because it hurt once!  The only thing that works for me is rewarding him with an M&M when he goes. He usually will do it if I tell him he can have a treat after he goes. I'm worried this is going to make him hold it even more though because he waits for me to offer a treat. I also have to watch him go because if I don't he will say he went just to get the treat. When I ask him why he doesn't want to go he just says - I dont like to poop.

    We've been working really hard to keep his diet high in fiber and we mix his morning juice with prune juice. I made high fiber pancakes and muffins for his breakfast.

    I can't imagine trying to do all that with twins on the way too! GL! Sounds like this is pretty normal. 

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