Hello!

My 6 year old has toileting challenges. Basically, she soils herself whenever and wherever she likes. She is NOT constipated – she has a few sensory challenges but this has become a bad habit. We have tried reward charts, medication, consequences, bribery, blackmail, routine – you name it we’ve tried it! As she approaches 7, her classmates are going to become more aware of this and it needs to stop NOW! My question is to other parents out there who have experienced this and how they have overcome it. This is NOT endocrepsis – as she does not hold it in. I want to hear from other parents that have experienced the same problem and what they did about it. I might add, we have seen a dietician, a Naturopath, been to a continence clinic, seen several OT’s (we’re on our 5th), seen a Paed and a Gastroenterologist. I need HELP and I need it NOW

Posted by anon 25.2.2013


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  • If your child is regularly pooping in their pants, it’s important that they take some responsibility in the clean up. First, have them dump any solid stool into the toilet and flush. Then, take the soiled underwear to the tub and have them clean the stain. It’s what I did with all of mine from age 5 on or so (except by my youngest who has Down Syndrome).
    Good you sought professional support from various backgrounds, something I would have done as well. In some cases it’s a psychological issue and psychological help is appropriate


  • Know this will sound silly but here goes.. Have you thought of sitting and chatting with her, like how do you feel when you poo your pants? a non judgmental conversation.May be stressed in her life you are not aware off! Let her do talking and try remain as non judgmental as possible. I worked for years with kids out of home and it was amazing things they told me,like when driving along or when my attention was not focused on them and their issues. Hope it helps


  • but being oldetThis is a touolder now hope she grown out of it .


  • It’s been a while since you posted. Hop everything is much improved and your daughter got the help she needed.


  • See the doctor for better solution.


  • hi there. how is she going now ……….


  • Hope worked it all out.


  • I hope you got the help that you needed


  • I hope you have found some helpful suggestions here.


  • Have things improved since this post?


  • Mums can give advice but sounds like u need to see a specialist!


  • Wow, I hope things have improved for you since you asked this. I dont think I really have any advice that would be helpful


  • You have been through everything it seems – what do all the professionals think???


  • The last lady had a good point. When I have normal milk I have to go to the toilet really quick.
    It gives me an upset tummy. Maybe your daughter is the same she might not know why she is doing this and maybe it comes so quick she cant control it. ..


  • Just a question – is your child holding on to her poos and then just letting it happen. I had a friend whose son was doing something similar. It was that the passing was going to hurt and so he would hold on. He was drinking full cream milk and I suggested putting him onto a light milk so that it wasn’t too heavy. Strangely this worked and he was happy to go to the toilet. Only a small suggestion, but one to try. Good luck.


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