My child is afraid to poop
Constipation during childhood is a common problem and can affect 35% of children.
It is quite normal that during childhood many children become afraid when it comes to pooping . This type of phobia coincides with the moment in which the child leaves the diaper and must control the sphincters. However, there are cases of older children who can also suffer from such a phobia. Then we explain the causes why this can happen and how to treat this problem.
Index
CAUSES OF FEAR OF POOPING
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- Constipation during childhood is a fairly common problem and it can affect 35% of children. As for the causes of said constipation, it can be due to diseases but in the vast majority of cases it can be due to functional causes.
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- The removal of the diaper is going to suppose a quite abrupt change for the child that can cause him to become quite afraid of pooping. There are many children who when they see the poop come out of their body, they think that it is something of their own that comes off and they get an atrocious fear .
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- In other cases, there are children who are ashamed or disgusted that poop comes out of their body, so they may become afraid of pooping for hygiene reasons .
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- Certain emotional situations related to the arrival of a new member of the family or a move to a new house can cause the child to retain stool and not want to poop .
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- There is another series of children who are ashamed when it comes to relieving themselves outside the home so they may become afraid of pooping outside their own home.
- If the child has a phobia of pooping, it becomes harder and it is difficult to expel it to the outside. Fear of pain is another cause of developing this type of phobia .
HOW TO DIAGNOSE FEAR OF POOPING
Fortunately, in most cases, this problem is something totally temporary that will end up being solved with the passage of time. If you see that your child may develop this type of phobia, do not hesitate to go to the pediatrician so that he can observe it and see if it is something more serious than it may seem at first. In many cases it is necessary to start a laxative-based treatment that helps to expel all the retained feces .
HOW TO HELP THE CHILD OVERCOME SUCH FEAR
Apart from the treatment that the pediatrician may advise, parents should follow a series of guidelines that help the child overcome such trauma and going to the bathroom does not become a real nightmare .
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- Do not be in a hurry when removing the diaper from the child . The minor will be in charge of marking the guidelines at all times until he decides to relieve himself in the bathroom . If he poops ahead of time, do not laugh at him or punish him since it is something normal that takes time.
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- The diet at this time is quite important since there should be no lack of foods rich in fiber that help improve intestinal transit. The ingested water is also important since proper hydration will help soften the stool and facilitate its expulsion to the outside .
- Respect and empathy are key when it comes to ensuring that the child is able to relieve himself without any problem and does not have a phobia of pooping . You must put yourself in his place and let him know at all times that you are going to be there to support him in whatever is necessary.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.