By the time your child is between two and three years of age, potty training becomes extremely important. Eventually, it may mean fewer diapers for you to change and more independence for your little one. However, in the meantime, it may mean lots of accidents to clean up, as well as the arrival of other issues such as constipation.
Significance
Constipation is defined as not having had a bowel movement for at least three days, or having fewer than three bowel movements over the course of a week. It can seriously hinder progress with potty training.
Features
At some point, toddlers realize they have control over their bodily functions. When they begin to exert control, sometimes they can make mistakes by either not holding it in long enough and having accidents or by holding it in too long and becoming constipated.
Considerations
Having a bowel movement on the toilet can be a scary thing for children. It can be a disconcerting feeling to be seated and have their bowel movements land in the water (which can splash and make noise) rather than going in a diaper as they have their entire life. This can cause them to not want to go on the toilet and either go in their diaper instead, or hold it in and become constipated.
Theories/Speculation
Children can become constipated periodically, before, throughout, and after toilet training. It may be easy to blame toilet training on constipation issues in children, because potty training involves the moving of the bowels. Occasional constipation usually requires no more than a single treatment of a stool softener or other remedy. When constipation becomes chronic or much more frequent during toilet training, you may need to speak to a pediatrician.
Prevention/Solution
There are a few things that a parent can do to create an environment that lessens the chances her child becomes constipated during potty training. First, make sure the stool stays soft by feeding your child foods with lots of fiber and having her drink lots of fluids. Second, make potty training a non-stressful endeavor. Do not force a child to potty train before she is not ready. Many children will master peeing in the toilet a long time before they feel comfortable having bowel movements in the toilet. Patience on the part of the parent is key. Offer praise when they go in the potty (or even prizes, stickers, or snacks) and do not punish them for the inevitable mistakes they will make. If your child feels good about pooping in the toilet, she will do so more readily.
Tags: bowel movements, potty training, toilet training, your child, become constipated, bowel movement, have their