TMI -7 year old constipation - what's the solution?

amother

Mon, Apr 17 2023, 5:00 pm

I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and can give some guidance.

I believe that my 7 year old son is constipated - on and off.
It seems like he holds it in when he has to go and he can hold it in for a few days ... can that be? He's usually more grouchy and gets upset easily during those days that he's holding it in. He'll flit around during those days, and run and hide if he feels it coming. He also goes to the bathroom often to wipe 'a little bit that came' and sometimes he makes a bit in his underwear. After a few days, he'll finally sit for a while and make a huge BM with a lot of effort. Sometimes he'll make again the next day but then again not for a 5-7 days.

I've tried so many things on and off over the past few years - a chart, motivation to sit every day for ten minutes (as per Dr recommendation), miralax etc. Recently he told me to stop bugging him about going to the bathroom.

I'm nervous that it is dangerous for him to hold it in for so long.
The impact on his mood and persona is major.
He's also not a big eater - if this makes a difference.

Someone suggested a specialized OT to target things that he's holding in...? Any other advice?

Thanks in advance!

oneofakind

Mon, Apr 17 2023, 5:09 pm

You can't force someone to go. You can provide lots of fluids and fiber but at the end of the day, if he likes this "system", he's only going to fight you.
It often happens when the child is power struggling with the parents. If you stop trying to control him, he'll stop needing to control this.

amother

Zinnia

Mon, Apr 17 2023, 5:15 pm

Reflex integration therapy
Craniosacral therapy
Homeopathy
Pelvic floor therapy
Magnesium taurate
Ndf pooper from bioray
Ndf happy from bioray
Vagus nerve exercises

I'm not so convinced it's behavioral much as it sounds like it is.

amother

Mon, Apr 17 2023, 5:16 pm

oneofakind wrote:

True that it's probably a control thing. I'm doing my best to let go and ignore. But isn't it dangerous or toxic for his body to hold it in for a week?