Surely you have ever heard the case of a child with fear of pooping, or it may even happen to your own child, as it is something that It happens with relative frequency in childhood.
Although this phobia coincides, in most cases, with the time when the diaper is abandoned, it can also occur in older children. We explain the causes that are behind this fear and how can we help them overcome it.
Causes of fear of pooping
Constipation in childhood is a frequent problem that, according to the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, occasionally affects 34 percent of children between the ages of four and 11 years.
The causes of constipation can be organic (due to certain pathologies or diseases) or functional, which occur in 95-97 percent of cases.
Functional causes include psychological factors and fear of pooping caused by:
The removal of the diaper is an important change for the child in his routine and body awareness. This leads some kids to relate the act of pooping with the loss of a part of themselves, so that they consider feces as theirs and are afraid to expel them and lose them.
According to psychologists, for other children stool retention is due to a hygienic issueThat is, they are afraid, ashamed or disgusted that something dirty and unpleasant comes out of their body.
Emotional situations such as the start of school, the arrival of a brother or a change of residence can alter the preschooler, and begin to suffer from leaks of pee, fecal incontinence or, conversely, stool retention.
In Babies and more, do you think your child suffers stress? We tell you what symptoms you should considerSome kids they don't feel comfortable going to the bathroom outside the family environment, such as schools, camps, public toilets ... And others simply do not want to interrupt their activity to go to the toilet, retaining feces voluntarily.
Stool retention makes you become harder and cost more work to expel them (causing pain and even anal fissures), so that the time to go to the bathroom ends up becoming a drama for the child.
In the end, there is a vicious circle that is difficult to get out of: stool retention for fear of pain - stools increasingly hard for retention - more and more pain during bowel movements.
How is it diagnosed
In most cases, this episode is something temporary that ends up being solved over time. However, it is important consult with the pediatrician to diagnose functional constipation through clinical history and exploration.
The doctor will determine if it is necessary to follow some type of treatment with laxatives, in addition to referring the child to the consultation with the gastroenterologist if it is a complex episode or that requires special attention.
What can we do to help our son overcome this fear?
Apart from the treatment and recommendations offered by the pediatrician, parents can also carry out some simple guidelines that help our son overcome that fear of pooping, so that the time to go to the toilet does not become a nightmare for them.
Diaper removal should be a respectful process with the child
If we are going to start with the diaper removal process, we must be aware of the importance of do it respectfully with the rhythms and times that the child marksWell, only then will we avoid this and other problems associated with a withdrawal ahead of time.
Of course, we must avoid putting pressure on him, as well as teasing, getting angry or punishing him, and at all times the child must feel comfortable and calm with the process.
Check the child's diet
The American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, (NASPGHAN), also recommends check the child's diet, in order to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and foods rich in fiber.
In Babies and more29 foods that will help you avoid constipation and recipes to prepare themAlso, we must ensure that our child drinks the recommended amount of water, as this will help soften the stool and that the time to evacuate is not annoying.
Be patient and empathic
As with any aspect of parenting, it is essential respect our son and be empathic with his situation. In this way, we cannot fall into the error of ignoring him, downplaying what happens to him, much less making fun of him.
It must be understood that if the child has had a previous painful experience, he will live the moment as something dramatic, so we must understand and help you overcome it Showing our support.
Involve the child of his problem
Since this episode happens in children from two or three years old, or even older, we can already try to talk with them about this issue, encourage them to tell us what happens to them and explain why it is not good for your health to retain stool.
If they don't want to poop because they fear losing a part of themselves, we'll explain that adults go to the bathroom and nothing happens to us. And if retention occurs because they do not feel confident in a bathroom outside their home, we must insist on the importance of attending to their needs as they arise, as well as taking care of their food to avoid such unpleasant situations.
The time to go to the bathroom: a pleasant routine
Until the problem is solved, the fact of create a routine to go to the bathroom, where the child feels comfortable, confident and calm. Join the toilet and turn the moment into something pleasant, even helping you with resources such as games, songs or stories.
In Babies and more Learning to go to the bathroom alone? Seven things that will facilitate the process of leaving the diaper behindOther guidelines
The physical exercise is essential at any stage of life, and of course also in childhood. And the movement helps intestinal motility, favoring the time to go to the bathroom. It can also help to give our little one a soft massage in the gut.
In no case should we stimulate the anal area of the child or administer any laxative that has not been prescribed by the pediatrician. Likewise, if the situation does not improve after a few days, or we even feel that it gets worse, It is very important to consult with the pediatrician immediately for a new evaluation.
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