Toddler withholding bowel movements- recommend a doc/psych?

Sorry to have to discuss this topic. My toddler has been withholding bowel movements, resulting in lots of pain and tears when the time finally comes. This cycle has been going on for at least 6 months now. We've worked w our pediatrician to add fiber to diet, did prunes, all sorts of other diet modifications, even have him medicines. At this point I think we need a specialist- either a pediatric psychologist and / or a pediatric gastroenterologist (idk- is that even the appropriate doctor???). Looking for recommendations! Thanks.

Message edited 6/26/2014 9:08:12 AM.

Re: Toddler withholding bowel movements- recommend a doc/psych?

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Dr Daum

Toddler withholding bowel movements- recommend a doc/psych?

Is your toddler newly potty trained? Its very normal for kids to do this when they start getting potty trained.

That said - my dd was also like this and before potty training. I felt so bad - she would hold it in for so long and scream and cry when she did finally go. I took her to a gastroenterologist and they were of no help. Just told me its common for the age and to give her miralax everyday. We started giving her probiotics everyday and that help alot. Honestly even the miralax helped too. The biggest issue was that she was scared of going bc when she did it would hurt. It took a while of adding the probiotics in her drinks everyday and her going smoothly for her to start to get over the fear.
I seriously thought she had a medical issue but she didnt - it was all mental. And I dont think a psychologist will be of any help. I truely believe that once her bowel was softer and easier to pass she overcame the fear. She's now almost 5 and every now and again she holds in in again and then gets scared of pushing it out. I just give her a dose of the miralax and that usually helps it come out and she realizes its fine. But I have to kept up on the probodics. I now do it every few days.
I hoped that helped a little. I totally understand what your going through. I spent many nights on the bathroom floor with her clingy on to me screaming

Re: Toddler withholding bowel movements- recommend a doc/psych?

I just posted this on the other thread (then realized it was an old thread)

"Just a thought ... my son had AWFUL constipation for MONTHS. We used miralax and it was helpful. At 3, we potty trained. He trained right away and never another issue with constipation. Not a single issue.

We spoke with our ped and she said that more than likely, he was withholding from going in the diaper. It was a sign that he was ready.

Could she be ready to train?"