Disimpaction Advice

[GirlMum2009]

Hi everyone. We are currently going through our first disimpaction with our 5yr old. She has had ongoing issues with soiling and only pooing in pants/nighttime pull up since being toilet/potty trained almost 2yrs ago. We have no issues with peeing or using the toilet for that. At first we believed it was behavioural, but as time has gone on we have had more issues with constipation. I'm not sure if she is withholding, especially whilst at nursery which has then caused the problem we have now. Recently,before the disimpaction started, we had a small success of two poos in the toilet, but that was with me watching her like a hawk looking for cues. She is very sneaky about it all, doesnt always show signs, but I'm not sure she is actually always aware it is coming.

Firstly, how watery should it be? We are currently on day 8, 3rd day of 8 sachets. We've had several days of very watery poos. I think the only lumps we are seeing is undigested food such as sweetcorn, pea shells and seeds. She has been wearing a pull up during this and I think it is adding to the lumpy look as well. But it is definitely very watery. I keep seeing rusty tea being mentioned. Should it be almost see through like tea?

Secondly, when I comes to maintenance. We have been advised to reduce slowly and basically follow the plan backwards. Following this, should we keep going with reducing til we get the 'normal' poos, then stick at that dose for at least a week? Or do we stop and the 4 for a week even if still very loose?

My head is absolutely pickled with all this and seeing so much conflicting advice. GP has said we can stop now if very loose, and start reducing, but I'm nervous to undo the work we've done so far if it is too soon.

We want to do it right, but are also aware she is missing important time in pre-school, where she has started to transition to her first year in school. She already had an advantage year due to other reasons, so we are worried about her missing too much of the transition period, when the school year ends in June (we are in Scotland).

Many thanks, apologies it's such a long post!

[GirlMum2009]

Adding a photo of where we are. This was late morning today, we had another mid afternoon. Similar to this, maybe a bit more loose and not quite as much.

Watery poo

[GirlMum2009 in reply to GirlMum2009]

Sorry to add another unpleasant photo.......who would've thought before kids that life would revolve around someone else's poo! 🤦‍♀️🤣

We've had this at bedtime. Pretty much all absorbed into pull up, like a wet nappy would. I'm hoping this is what we are aiming for and keeping everything crossed things stay this way in the morning.

Disimpaction

[Yaleamanda in reply to GirlMum2009]

Not there yet, still a way to go.

[Yaleamanda]

Keep going until you reach watery stools with no lumps consistently for a few days before you start reducing the doses down extremely slowly ie one sachet every few days until you reach a suitable maintenance dose to remain on.

[GirlMum2009 in reply to Yaleamanda]

Thanks. We've had another tonight at bedtime, which I would say is more where we need to be. Pretty much all absorbed into the pull up, like a wet nappy would.

[Yaleamanda in reply to GirlMum2009]

Is it clear like tea without milk? That's what you are aiming for.