Encopresis
A 6 y/o girl who "holds" and has avoided encopresis, but needs to learn to poo naturally.
Hello,
We are from the Chicago area. Having read through your forum letters, I can tell that we are on a path with our 6 year old daughter which we would like to curtail as soon as possible. She started public school this year, and I believe, with that, having been in a Montessori school previous, the Scheduled bathroom trips and less movement have started her on a cycle of constipation. She has not soiled herself, but we have had a series of weeks where she will stop going, afraid of the BM hurting, embarrassed to go at school etc. and then we end up a week or so later needing to give her a glycerin suppository. She will have regular BM's for more than a week, and then the cycle starts again. She drinks water, eats whole grains, fruits and veggies, although definitely fewer then we would like as she has also started to become more picky with her diet. Our question is, would the protocol you suggest for encopresis be the same for her pattern. The Doc went the softener route. We have a probiotic from our chiropractor, and have even tried cod liver oil pills. It is so sad to see her emotions get so extreme when she goes so many days without a BM. I'm sure so many children entering public schools must fall victim to this cycle. We would appreciate your insight. As a side note, I work as a Doula and I appreciate the work you have done to guide Father's back into the delivery room. With our daughter's situation, I often feel like her "poola". Thanks,
Jennifer—Your experience as a Doula is so very relevant to this issue of stool hoarding! There are so many parallels physiologically and psychologically to the birthing process which can be helpful, but hard to talk about. You appear to have avoided encopresis which is simply defined behaviorally as having BMs in inappropriate places at age 4 years and later. You are doing so many things right with diet, drinking, and the occasional use of a glycerin “primer” to aid her. You are right about the risk for encopresis being associated with going to public school, it is the second most frequent correlate for its onset. Your observation on the effect of holding on her emotions and disposition is often missed by parents because they assume it is due to the encopresis itself. No, it is the discomfort and effort of holding with a fear of an accident is very taxing and often makes them cross. The Soiling Solutions protocol would fit your child’s situation very well. She is trapped in a constant cycle of holding and toileting avoidance even as she has escaped the encopresis itself because of your dedication. You have been doing good prevention, but it is all premised on your efforts which she should take over now and make it over into a natural function under her control. You have been patient enough! I will attach a copy of my medical journal article and editorials concerning it in a separate email to you to help you in your making a decision.
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