Hi, we've been battling chronic constipation and overflow soiling for a couple of years and seem to be slowly getting on track. However, we have noticed that our son seems to withhold and we think this is probably where it all started. Certainly, this was the issue when he started school and became constipated, because he didn't want to stop what he was doing to go to the toilet. I think he has stopped himself pooing for so long now, he doesn't even realise he's doing it. He gets super fidgety and hyper. I don't always notice it, and he seems unaware- he doesn't have any feeling that he needs a poo.
I'm looking for advice from others who have experienced this with their children. Any strategies we can use to help him realise he needs the toilet, and help him to make that connection? We do toilet time three times a day after meal times and he's amazingly compliant with this. He has a bit of screen time (10 mins) for 2 out of 3 of those toilet times. We don't really like this, as he loses himself in the screen and either forgets to push, or doesn't even realise he's done a poo! But I think it's a bit of a reward for putting up with the whole rigmarole!
Any ideas?
I could have written this myself ! My 6yr daughter is exactly the same . We are now waiting for a referral to children’s in continuance team . She is having recurrent utis on top of withholding but this seems to be linked .
Sorry I can’t offer strategies , I’m still searching for them myself .
Good luck! I hope some of these tips help you.