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Potty Training Problems
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| Potty Training Resources for Parents: Potty Training Tips: Everything you Need to Know Potty Training Girls: Are they Easier? Potty Training Boys: A Complete Guide Potty Training 911: Potty Training Help |
Potty Training Problems and Constipation:
You've finally taken the big step---you've potty trained your toddler or preschooler. You give away the last of your diapers and tell all of your friends. You are officially a diaper free house. Then it happens. Your 3 year old begins to have poop accidents in his underwear. At first you aren't alarmed ---every 3 year old has accidents--- but they are becoming more frequent and sometimes your child is having several potty accidents a day. What has gone wrong? What can you do?
Does any of this sound familiar? You've got a potty training problem.
What is Constipation?
Once a child is potty trained there are several reasons why he may begin to have potty accidents again. The main reason your 3 year old or 4 year old may be pooping in his underwear is constipation. Constipation results from a large stool that is difficult to pass. Some children may have small pellet sized stools in their underwear, while others may have liquid, messy stools. If your child is constipated, his accidents may be the results of stools that escape from around the blockage, which is why they will seem loose. Often, parents who notice loose stools in their child's underwear will not think of constipation as the potty training problem. They often blame the child for not listening, for being "bad' or for being stubborn.
What can you do to relieve your Child's Constipation?
The best thing you can do to begin relieving constipation is increasing the amount of fluids they are drinking. When many parents are potty training their children, they limit drinks in order to cut down on the number of wet accidents they have. The result is that children often get a bit dehydrated and their stools begin to harden. Once they become constipated, it hurts to go to the bathroom, so the child begins to avoid it. When you are potty training, avoiding going to the bathroom only makes the constipation worse and the pain worse--- so the cycle begins. Unfortunately, once your child is caught in the constipation cycle, it is difficult to break. Increasing your child's fluids will make his stools softer and easier to pass.
You will also want to increase the amount of fiber in your child's diet by increasing their fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Try not to increase your child's fiber too drastically at first or it may make the constipation worse. Apples, raisins, strawberries, and beans are all incredible sources of fiber and easy to add to any child's diet to help with the potty training problem of constipation.
If you have increased the water and fiber in your child's diet and his constipation isn't improving, talk to your pediatrician. There are several over the counter medications that can help soften your child's stool naturally and without side effects. If your child is in pain or if you see blood in the stool or if their stool is black, contact your pediatrician immediately as it may be a serious sign of illness.
Other Articles of Interest:
Great Potty Training Resources:
Most moms and dads dread potty training. Visions of urine soaked bed sheets and soiled pajamas are enough to make even the veteran parent apprehensive. While potty training can be a stressful time for both parent and child, most potty training problems can be solved with a little knowledge and a whole lot of patience. Want to know the secret to potty training your child? Make sure your potty training goes smoothly by checking out these great articles and resources:
Potty Training Problems is an article about tackling some of those issues. Some potty training problems are easy to solve if you know how to recognize them. Check it out!
Potty Training the Stubborn Child is an article specifically for all those parents whose children seem to resist any attempt to potty train. Get tips, tricks and proven results!!
Does any of this sound familiar? You've got a potty training problem.
What is Constipation?
Once a child is potty trained there are several reasons why he may begin to have potty accidents again. The main reason your 3 year old or 4 year old may be pooping in his underwear is constipation. Constipation results from a large stool that is difficult to pass. Some children may have small pellet sized stools in their underwear, while others may have liquid, messy stools. If your child is constipated, his accidents may be the results of stools that escape from around the blockage, which is why they will seem loose. Often, parents who notice loose stools in their child's underwear will not think of constipation as the potty training problem. They often blame the child for not listening, for being "bad' or for being stubborn.
What can you do to relieve your Child's Constipation?
The best thing you can do to begin relieving constipation is increasing the amount of fluids they are drinking. When many parents are potty training their children, they limit drinks in order to cut down on the number of wet accidents they have. The result is that children often get a bit dehydrated and their stools begin to harden. Once they become constipated, it hurts to go to the bathroom, so the child begins to avoid it. When you are potty training, avoiding going to the bathroom only makes the constipation worse and the pain worse--- so the cycle begins. Unfortunately, once your child is caught in the constipation cycle, it is difficult to break. Increasing your child's fluids will make his stools softer and easier to pass.
You will also want to increase the amount of fiber in your child's diet by increasing their fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Try not to increase your child's fiber too drastically at first or it may make the constipation worse. Apples, raisins, strawberries, and beans are all incredible sources of fiber and easy to add to any child's diet to help with the potty training problem of constipation.
If you have increased the water and fiber in your child's diet and his constipation isn't improving, talk to your pediatrician. There are several over the counter medications that can help soften your child's stool naturally and without side effects. If your child is in pain or if you see blood in the stool or if their stool is black, contact your pediatrician immediately as it may be a serious sign of illness.
Other Articles of Interest:
Great Potty Training Resources:
Most moms and dads dread potty training. Visions of urine soaked bed sheets and soiled pajamas are enough to make even the veteran parent apprehensive. While potty training can be a stressful time for both parent and child, most potty training problems can be solved with a little knowledge and a whole lot of patience. Want to know the secret to potty training your child? Make sure your potty training goes smoothly by checking out these great articles and resources:
Potty Training Problems is an article about tackling some of those issues. Some potty training problems are easy to solve if you know how to recognize them. Check it out!
Potty Training the Stubborn Child is an article specifically for all those parents whose children seem to resist any attempt to potty train. Get tips, tricks and proven results!!
Visit our New Potty Training Squidoo Page... Potty Training 911!!!
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Information given on this website can not be construed as medical advice. Please check with your health care provider when making decisions regarding you or your child's health care.
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Legal disclaimer:
Information given on this website can not be construed as medical advice. Please check with your health care provider when making decisions regarding you or your child's health care.
To the best of our knowledge, all images and pictures on this website are in the public domain, if you believe otherwise, please contact us immediately.
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