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Old May 14th 08, 09:44 AM posted to misc.kids
Eowyn
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Posts: 9
Default my 6 year old poops his pants

avalon_mom wrote:
Ok so my almost 6 year old is still pooping his pants i'm at a total loss. I
dont think its a medical condition because he can make it to the bathroom he
knows when he has to go it doesnt hurt. I make him go to bed early I take
away tv I've spanked nothing has worked. He will go to the bathroom for a
couple weeks sometimes a month no problem then out of nowhere he starts
pooping in his pants again. It's not alot though usually one small to medium
size like he's holding it in doesnt want to go I think because he's too busy
playing to stop and go any idea's on how to make him go and stop this
nonsense? Please help


It is not entirely unheard of for 6yo, especially boys, to poop their
pants, but it is definitely unwanted. If you are absolutely sure it is
not a medical issue, the most likely problem is that he doesn't feel he
has to go, or ignores it. This behaviour has to be changed asap, the
older he gets, the harder it is to learn this properly again.

We are in a similar situation with our 5.5yo. First and foremost thing
to do is not make this an issue for him. When he poops his pants, let
him clean it up, wash his own bottom and change. You can even let him
wash his underwear. He has to become aware that his poop is his
responsibility and noone else's. Do NOT get angry or upset, just ignore
it entirely.

For DS1 we have a fixed schedule of going to the bathroom: before a meal
he goes to pee and wash his hands. After every meal he can take a small
toy and goes to the bathroom for 5 minutes (we give him a timer) to try
to poop. If nothing comes, that's OK. If he poops, he gets praise and a
sticker with which he is saving up for computer time (you can make him
save time for anything he really enjoys doing). During the weekends he
gets to use up his time whenever he likes. When things are going well,
we reward him with extra stickers to keep him motivated.

Also pay attention to his behaviour, see if you can find clues that he
has to go. We noticed that DS would always go play in his room just
before he pooped his pants. So he now has to ask to go to his room, and
then I tell him to go to the bathroom first.

HTH! We noticed a really quick improvement when we started this
schedule. Within a week or two DS was nearly clean. Since then he has
had an occasional accident, but is OK overall. If you don't notice
improvement, take your DS to see a pediatrician.

I
--
mommy to DS (nearly 6)
mommy to TG and TB (2.5)
guardian of DH (age classified)