My son is 7 years old and has NLD. Has anyone had any problems potty training their child? We are having a terrible time. I’m sure it started when he was young, formula and milk constipated him. He started a system of trying to hold it in, and we can’t break it. We know he CAN go in and have a bowel movement without messing his pants, he just doesn’t do it. Usually he will run to his room, try to hold it in, and after he’s smudged his pants, then he’ll go to into the bathroom. We’ve tried tons of things. And we always wonder if maybe his learning disorder is making it harder - due to the dysgraphia or some misunderstanding. It makes it hard to handle because you are always afraid of disciplining for something he can’t help. Any suggestions? Dawn Marie
Re: Potty training
Also, encourage him to drink lots of water. “Holding it in” allows the bowel to withdraw water from the stool, making it hard and difficult to pass.
Carol
Re: Potty training
I think the term is “encopresis.” I don’t know much about it, but I’ve seen a section on it in the Columbia University Home Medical Guide.
Re: Potty training
We went through this with my daughter. We took her to the children’s Hospital where they x-rayed to be sure there was no physical obstruction that was causing the problem. Then they told me to give her 1 tablespoon of mineral oil a day. Which I did for a couple of weeks and that got her more regular. There is also a product called Lansoil (if my memory serves me right) that is like a red jelly which you can put on toast and may be easier to convince your child to take. With my daughter the problem was not drinking enough. I gave her lots of expensive fruit juices, like mango, pear and cherry which incouraged her to drink. You could also try these new iced drinks - fruit sryup, ice and real fruit in a blender. Avoid giving bran and other types of fiber if the child does not drink enough it will worsen the problem. I have also heard that bananas cause constipation. But you should really start with your doctor or hospital to rule out any physical problem.
Re: Potty training
Thanks ladies. Isn’t it remarkable that sometimes we can forget the simple things…like making sure our kids drink enough water! I appreciate the help. Dawn
Re: Potty training
My 8 yr old son has this problem. He’s been to a gastroenterologist who put him on a high fiber diet (didn’t work because he’d have accidents he couldn’t control at school), a psychiatrist who humiliated him and told him he was lazy, a second pediatrician who said not to make a big deal of it and he’ll stop when he’s ready. My son says he can’t feel when he has to go. He’s definitely not constipated and drinks lots of fluids. We’re all frustrated. I’m at a loss about what to do next. Please let me know if you find something that helps. Thanks, Cheri
Re: Something that worked for someone else....
was taking the child to a very good chiropractor who uses the gentle form of chiropractic (a small pressure instrument) rather than regular manipulation. In this particular case it was a little girl in 2nd grade who had to wear pull-ups to school because she would have little accidents all day long. She had been to a number of doctors and pediatric specialists. After the first chiropractic treatment she had only one accident. After the second chiropractic treatment she had no accidents. My very unscientific understanding is that there is a small valve in the lower intestinal tract that can get “stuck” in the wrong position. A really good chiropractor knows how to manipulate this back to where it should be. This particular chiropractor is older and operates a naturopathy office that offers acupuncture, Shiatsu, etc.
Mary
This sounds like a problem called endocoprsis(not sure of spelling). Kind of like bedwetting but with the bowel. They hold it too long and then get constipated which causes pain so then they hold it to avoid pain. Kids I have worked with that exhibit these symptoms need a specific behavior plan and laxatives to help overcome the problem. If you haven’t already, talk to your pediatrician to rule out biological issues and seek psychological support. Hope this helps.
Jean