my son is 3 and still wears pull ups- he holds in his bowel movements until the discomfort is unbearable?
Answers:
My 4 year old does this too, and from what I hear I even did that too. I don't think it will make them sick unless they don't have a bowel movement for days..at that time it is best to get him to a doctor. If he still goes every other day then it's normal. A lot of times little ones remember a painful bowel movement and they don't want to go through it again..so they get scared and try to hold it in, not knowing that that makes it worse.
Other Answers:
This is fairly common. Previous poster is right, it's often because the child has had a painful bowel movement and is now afraid. Talk with a doctor about foods to give and avoid in order to loosen stools -- a few "easy" bowel movements may ease your son's fears. Good luck!
Oh, boy, did you make me remember. When I was two years old on, I held my bowel movements. This continued until I was in my teens. Let me tell you of my feelings as a youngster. I was two and three years old then, and I remember them as if they were yesterday. When I had to go to the bathroom, I knew that it would hurt. It was easier to hold my legs together and "squeeze back" than "going". My movements were very solid. I would hold them for a week or more. My mother took me to the Minnesota University Hospital to see if there was blockage. There was none. At that young age, I knew there wasn't. I WAS JUST NOT GOING TO GO. PERIOD, END OF QUESTION. I went thru enemas (spelling), having to wash my own underware by hand, belittleing, etc. This made everything worse because I really wanted to go. When I did go, the stools were so large they blocked up the toilet. My grandfather had to remove the toilet stool at the floor to clear the blockage. This, again, made me try harder not to go. Back then, "1947", I don't know if there was a stool softener or not, but I do know that if there was and if it had been given to me, I would have learned how to go without pain. It would have taken time for me to learn there was no pain involved though. In other words, not an overnight cure, but it would have saved me years of having this problem. Anyway, after I learned how to "hold back", it became a habit that lasted years. I sympathize with you. But I know that if you talk to your Dr. and take my response with you, he/she can learn from my experience. IT WAS THE PAIN AND THE FACT THAT I TRAINED MY MUSCLES TO HOLD EVERYTHING IN. MY RECTUM MUSCLE DID NOT LEARN HOW TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN DURING A MOVEMENT. Good news, though. I could have a movement in warm bathwater (later in any water). So, if your child "goes" during a bath, don't be upset. See your Dr.. show he/she this response, it is true and it represents my feelings as a youngster. I remember it so well, because it consumed my young life.
Source(s):
My own.
My son was 4 almost 5 yrs old before he was fully potty trained! He didn't want to have to do a #2 cuz wiping it was "yucky"! LOL!! We went thru "You are going to wipe your own hiney!" "No, I am not!" on a daily basis. The discomfort can't be unbearable enough or he'd be doing his business on the potty. I don't think this can cause him any harm. Just keep asking "Do you want to go on the potty & get that poopy (or whatever you call it) out? You'll feel so much better." Good Luck! Boys are tough ones.
Source(s):
Been there.
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