My two year old daughter is having problems going #2. She keeps holding it in instead of pushing it out. I don't know what to do. Does anyone have suggestions?
Please help.
Thanks
L.
This happens. I don't understand a two-year-olds mind well enough to understand why.
My pediatrician recommended 'poop friendly snacks' such as dried prunes, grapes, high fiber cereals (like those little circles made of nothing but bran) and LOTS of water. This made him have to go so quickly he couldn't hold it for long. The food sounded kinda icky to me, but my son thought it was good and it helped him not hurt himself.
That is totally normal! From what I have heard/read it is frightening for many kids to have a BM... they don't understand what is going on and often times they feel like they are losing a part of themselves. If they get constipated it hurts and that just compounds the situation.
I would just keep encouraging her to go... sounds funny but maybe let her watch you go and talk about what is happening. Also, maybe read some stories about it like "Everybody Poops."
My son did this when he was that age. The dr.'s told me it was totally normal. I tried everything, and ended up having to give his suposatories to go. He'd hold it for 3-4 days! The dr.'s told me they do this because it's a control thing. It's one thing that they can control. They said they would eventually learn it's less painful to just go and they will, and my son did! So as frustrating as it is...she will figure it out!
S.
GRAPES! My son likes grapes. When this happened with my son I stayed and talked to him,calmly,in the bathroom and told him take his time and don't hurry, then when he feels that pressure, thats the time to push and don't be afraid it won't hurt. And then his face would turn red and I knew he had eaten too many Gold Fish crackers. But seriously if its been more than 2 days, call the doctor. I always kept it in the back of my mind if he went #2 today. If he didn't, I would give him fruit or fruit juices, grape or apple. This always worked. Good luck.
This is sooo normal and yet so annoying. Both of my children did this and then would soil their underware because of it and also get constipated from doing it alot. We tried lots and lots of things.... nothing really worked to stop it and none of my friends have either. All I can say is keep giving positive reinforcement and rewards for going on the toilet and she will eventually grow out of it.
Blessings.
M.
