02/11/2021
https://www.facebook.com/84481407382/posts/10159504748027383/
Children who have poo problems often have trouble knowing when they need to go to the loo so it’s important to get them into a good toileting routine.
This should involve sitting on the toilet at the same times each day, ideally 20-30 minutes after each meal. This makes the most of the natural squeezing that happens after eating. Your child should also go to the loo before bed.
Other tips for a top toileting routine are:
Get into position: When they’re sitting on the toilet, make sure your child’s feet are firmly supported flat on a box or stool. Knees should be above the hips in a secure position. You might need a children’s toilet seat to help with this. Your child should lean forward slightly, rest their elbows on their knees and gently push out their tummy.
Make it fun! We need to relax to let the poo out, so distracting your child with toys, games and books whilst they’re sitting on the loo can help. Keep these ready by the toilet, so they can sit for 5-10 minutes at a time.
Stay relaxed: Gently rocking forwards and backwards and massaging the tummy in clockwise circles can help.
Help the bowel muscles to push down: Laughing, coughing or blowing can help with this. Try blowing bubbles – then it’s fun too!
Encouragement: Give lots of praise for sitting on the toilet regularly and getting into a good routine. Your child obviously won’t poo every time they go, but they should be praised for trying.
Keep a poo diary: This will help you record the different types of poo your child is doing and the time of day they do them (ideally the poo should look like a smooth sausage – Type 4 in the Bristol Stool Form Scale). By keeping a close eye on your child’s poo habits, you’ll be able to spot the signs of constipation early
