3 year old holding bowel movements

[Sophia013009]

I have a 3 year old daughter who has been potty trained for approx. 8 months successfully. She does not have any accidents  but she hold her bowel movements for days( sometimes 5 days despite she is taking Miralax everyday). My husband or I will encourage her to sit on the potty and we can tell that she tries to hold it in saying that it hurts. However, when she does have a bowel movement, sometimes after 4- 5 days, she admits that it does not hurt. I feel that his diet consists of adequate fruits,fiber, plenty of juices and water. The pediatrician recommends us to give her miralax every day and we have been adding Miralax to her milk at breakfast.

Obviously, I notice irritability when she has not had a frequent bowel movement. I am afraid she can develop painful cracks around the rectum. There is not blood in or around the bowel movements. Sometimes she has small amounts of diarrhea or soiling in her pants  but this is unusual.

We put her at the bath tub to relax ther rectun muscles and help her to have bowel movement easily. I don't know what else to do. Should I need to take her to see a specialist? What kind of specialist? A pshycologist or a gastroenterologist?

Thanks in advanced for your help.

Olga D.

[maemac]

A related discussion, my 4yr.old daughter was started.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Yes, I think that is a good practice in her situation.

[Sophia013009]

Dr. Kennedy

Thanks for your soon reply. We try to put her at the toilet after breakfast but sometimes she does not want to do it. Would you recommend to force her to sit down at the potty chair despite she does not want to do it? We read it may be worse...

Thanks again

Olga

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Actually she is not poty trained as long as this situation continues. Follow the guidelines of her pediatrician. She is avoiding bowel movements because she expects them to be painful, and it will take multiple experiences for this fear to relax. She does not need to see a specialist - the pediatrician is doing the right thing. Be sure her bowels are not impacted - if they are, this will require a strict regimed, ogten for weeks, first to clean out her bowels and then to help her establish a regular schedule.