9 Yr Old and Poo

One of my sons had the same issue with poo in his underwear until he was 10 or 11. He was VERY embarrassed about it as much as I was frustrated and confused. He was a very intelligent person but this was very annoying! The problem was that he thought he was only going to be 'passing gas' and by the time he discovered it was the REAL DEAL, it was too late to make it to the restroom (even when he was at home). He was able to keep the bulk of it from coming out, but only after that 1 little droppling had passed through. Somehow he managed to keep the rest from coming out until he could get to a restroom. I told him he needed to go to the bathroom whenever he felt that 'feeling' no matter WHAT... He eventually outgrew the problem.

If he doesn't "go" at home and there is poop in his underwear something is wrong. Ask him what it is. At 9 he has knowledge of his body and bodily functions. Show him the poop and ask him what is going on. It might be a physical problem that needs a doctor. It might be an emotional issue. Talk with him till you two figure it out.

You say his teacher sends him to the bathroom every few hours, but does he go? It sounds like to me he's trying to hold it and these little balls of poo are just what he's unable to hold. Does he have stomach aches or other signs of constipation? If he's been doing this for a long time, he might have stretched out the bowel and doesn't feel like he has to go. You should keep track of when he has bowel movements for a while to be sure that he's having regular bowel movements. I bet you'll find that he's not. If that's the case, he's probably holding it because maybe it hurts to go. if that's the case, give him some mineral oil. That will coat whatever is in the bowel, soften it up and help it to come out without pain. If it's been in there a while, it may still hurt somewhat, but it will be better than nothing. Also, when he goes, put a foot stool under his feet so he has something to push against to help him go. Also, if you find that he hasn't had a bowel movement for a few days, you may want to start with an suppository to get things going.

Google "encopresis" and see if it applies....

Have him checked by the doctor....get a hand vacuum and have him clean up his mess. Don't make a big deal of it, but he is old enough to change his sheets and keep his room tidy.

Blessings.....

I haven't heard of that in an older child but when my 17 mo old gets constipated she does the same thing with rabbit size hard balls. Try adding more fiber and see if that helps. If not then I would check with his doctor.

First of all, it sounds like he's constipated and maybe thinks he's passing gas when a little more than that happens.
Second of all, at 9 years old, he is plenty old enough to shake out his own underpants in the toilet and deal with it before they ever even make it to the laundry or there is poop on the floor. No offense, but that's just gross. Pebbles or not, he's crapping in his pants he is old enough to not let it get on the floor or in the laundry basket or wherever.
Holding it is not a happy option so help him with stool softeners and going to the bathroom. If he makes a mess, he needs to clean it.
My son hates "using" the bathroom at school so as soon as he gets home, he heads right for the bathroom here and does his thing. Fortunately he's never had an accident, but if he did, it would take about one time of him hiding it in the laundry basket or it ending up on the floor for that to be done and over with. I'd rather know ahead of time than find it later. That's just yucky.
Your son doesn't need to be embarrassed, he just needs to deal with it and hopefully you can give him a way to not worry about holding it, if that's what he's doing because that way isn't working out very well. Is it more embarrassing to try to hide it or to just come out and talk to you about it? It's not like you don't know there's poop in his pants.

Best wishes.

sounds like encropresis or chronic constipation. A visit to to his pediatrician will be helpful. My daughter has suffered from this for awhile. Stool softeners and laxatives can clear a large piece of stool, but the ped may suggest a routine of trying to use the bathroom at specific times, etc.
Good luck!

I have not heard of this but it sounds like he's constipated. Try increasing his intake of fresh, raw fruits and veggies. If he's not a fan, I can tell you about a product that has been a Godsend for my family!

Blessings,

M.

Probably he is holding it in, and holding it in alot. He may be wetting the bed because he is constipated, and the excess stool in his large intestine is pressing on his bladder, making it able to hold less urine. The little poo balls are most likely some poop that gets out while he holds it in. A visit to the pediatrician would be good, he might benefit from a stool softener, increased fiber, and regular "toilet time" after dinner. I know my older son likes to "hold it in" sometimes, but I usually catch him doing it and make him sit on the pot with a magazine until he goes. It's frustrating, I know, but some kids just can't go in public places (school) and then they just get used to holding it in.

I would suspect he is not wiping well enough. then as he walks, his underwear rolls the residue into a ball. He may need to use the flushable wet wipes to help clean himself. Not sure how he will get them to the bathroom without all his classmates seeing and teasing.