Can we talk about pooping, please? (TMI)

[whoanellie]

My 19 mo. old DD, ever since she was a baby, hasn't liked to poop- it has caused crying etc. I'd always been assured by other, more experienced moms that it is common and she'll grow out of it. But she hasn't, and I think her discomfort is getting worse as she gets older. I know she gets crampy before she has to go- her anxiety builds and she races around. I hold her, reassure her- she's begun using the potty for most of them (largley due to the fact that I've got lots of warning). She seems to really strain and shrieks when she goes, but she's not constipated- infact, her stool is soft enough to not hold it's shape.
Please help if you can- I feel like a terrible mom because I've let it go on this long-it's just that she just seems fine after she goes. I've mentioned it when she got her vaxs, the nurse just said to keep giving her fluids/fibre. She eats a healthy diet. She's a big healthy girl. It just kills me to see her in pain.
What is normal- should toddler poop look like adult poop? Is it common to have this much discomfort/pain? Every time I've searched for info I can only find articles on constipation. I'm starting to wonder about food sensitivities. We do have an appt. with our new family doc. in a couple of days- long story but we couldn't get one in our new town here for the past year. A big thanks to you if you can help!

[~Demeter~]

My daughter was very much like that.. it got better when she potty learned. She likes to be in control and I think she really just felt going in a diaper was totally out of her control. She would lock her little legs up and attempt to hold it in, which of course made things worse. I, also, discovered any form of 'comfort attempts' made by me made it that much worse. She needed time alone when she was going to feel comfortable and confident about it. Occasionally she has a poop now that causes her discomfort and I've just taught her to breathe through it, while I sing but don't touch her.

My daughter had a tummy bug last week that caused her to vomit. She likes so much to be in control of her body functions that she held off throwing up (sorry tmi) by writhing and wriggling around and complaining that her belly hurt. It wasn't until she finally dozed off and relaxed enough that her body ejected her stomach contents. I think I'm like this to a degree as well... some people just are. I would really try not to over stress about it, it will work itself out eventually...

[redvlagrl]

Could it be that she is eating some acid foods that burn her tender bum as the poo emerges? Like lots of tomato or citrus?

DD's poo is usually fairly soft and has some form but not adult like turds, if you know what I mean! She still BFs twice a day and i think this is why they are fairly soft. When my milk came in with DS they went like giant, toddler-sized BM poos as she was nursing a LOT (sorry TMI). On days where the nursing is very short (I am encouraging this!) they are firmer and more formed like adult poos. She is potty trained so I get to see them in the toilet.

If it is a "ring of fire" problem, then would she let you put some vaseline or something on her anus to protect it as the poo comes out?

Has she ever been constipated? Could it be a small fissure? I had one after DS was born and it was v painful even though my stool was very soft.

[whoanellie]

Thanks for your replies. Hmm- the acid thing might be a clue. She has been eating tomato pretty much every day as she loves them and we have a ton from the garden. I will cut them out along with other acidic foods and give it a try. She hasn't really been constipated more than once or twice and it wasn't bad so hopefully no fissures- but OUCH indeed! Thanks very much for your comments.

And I don't think there is such thing as TMI once you've gone through child birth and toddlerhood

[foodymama]

I of course don't know but I would definitly persue the food sensitivity issue. My MIL had severe stomach cramps and bloody stools for years and was even hospitalized and every time she was sent home from the Dr. or the hospital with an unknown diagnosis. Until she started seeing a homeopathic Dr. and he had her tested for food allergies of which she tested positive for numerous food allergies. As long as she eliminates those foods she doesn't have problems, but as soon as she adds them into her diet again she has the same problems.

[ThankfulMama]

If it is of any help, my DD has known food sensitivities and when she eats offending foods (or above her threshold) she cries at poopie time. However her BMs were firmer than usual so it is not exactly the same situation.

[swd12422]

I would definitely suspect the acid/tomatoes. My son was the same exact way, although he wasn't pooping on the potty... Now he is nearly 3 (and pooping on the potty) and his digestive system seems to have developed more so that he's not having those issues anymore. Make sure she drinks lots of water -- that will help, too.