3 year old soiling and wetting

[Dori_111]

Hi, my almost 3 year old started withholding poos after some pain passing them and large stools. We have been giving her moivcol to help soften them up but we have found now she is having poo and pee accidents all the time simultaneously ( the poos are smears or very small amounts of poo). It’s so difficult to tell if she is still withholding or still constipated and that’s why this is happening. She will do bigger poos semi regularly. Obviously I am just glad she’s getting it out but be good to know what the problem is there.

We have tried sticker charts, books in the bathroom, lots of praise etc and at least she’s not in pain

Any advice be appreciated

[Yaleamanda]

How much movicol are you giving? Are they potty trained if so do you encourage regular toilet sits after every meal? You probably need to add a stimulant to the regime. i suggest having a look at the Eric website as there is a wealth of information on this subject there.

[Dori_111 in reply to Yaleamanda]

Hey, thanks for your reply. She’s on one sachet a day (if she drinks it all) This all started just not long after starting potty training so not completly no. What’s a stimulant? Thank you I have looked on ERiC and we do sit on after meals x

[Yaleamanda in reply to Dori_111]

A Stimulant will help push things along. It doesnt sound like she is on enough movicol. How are you giving it to her?

[Dori_111]

Ah okay the nurse never suggested anything else. Just mixing it with water then adding juice as per instructions. It’s just weird as the stool is very soft but just small amounts so like you say possibly still constipated that only a little is getting out at times

[LB1234]

Hi there, we've gone through pretty much the exact same thing with my 3 year old over the last few months. Started off witholding as she doesn't like pooing in public toilets or at nursery but her body naturally wanted to go in the middle of the day so it led on to constipation and lots of soiling and wee accidents. No amount of encouragement or rewarding was working and I was worried she had actually lost the ability to control her bowels.

We started on movicol (1 sachet per day in the morning) and after about 10 days her stool was soft enough for her to pass without any straining (almost a paste/mousse consistency). We rigidly stuck to a routine of sitting on the toilet/potty after every meal and before bed and gradually she started having bowel movements at these times. We give her plenty time - it can often take 20 mins or more for her to go even now - so lots of games, chatting, books and laughing.

Initially she was still having accidents but we stuck with it and have been without a poo accident now for about 6 weeks, and only a couple of wee accidents. She'll pretty much always poo during at least 1 sit now, but generally at both the morning and bedtime sits.

Also keep her diet really varied and lots of water to keep things moving.

Hope you find something that works for you - it's really frustrating for all involved!

[Dori_111 in reply to LB1234]

Hi, thank you so much. It’s really reassuring to know it’s not just us. It sounds exactly the same. Thanks for your advice we will definitely keep going with that. Thank you x