Help! 2 year old holding in BMs

[svs79]

My DD has struggled with constipation for quite a while, and we have made several changes to her diet (no dairy, more fiber and water) which have helped improve this.  We continue to work on her diet, but I feel like we're doing everything we can there.  Unfortunately she has started holding in her BMs which of course does not help matters.  I talk to her about this every time I see her holding it in, telling her to let it out and she'll feel better.  She is also starting some potty learning, so I try to get her on the potty when I see this happening.  I have had to use a glycerin suppository twice in the past week to help get things moving, but I hate doing that (and of course she does too).  I just don't know what else I can do to help her understand to let it out!  Please let me know if you have any thoughts or ideas of how to help her get past this stage.  TIA!   

[kjbrown92]

Have you tried taking out gluten? That's the cause of a lot of digestive troubles (2nd only to dairy). When a friend of mine's daughter had the same issue, dairy and gluten had to be removed from her diet. And it's made a huge difference. Coaxing it out of her by telling her that if she goes by herself, then you don't have to use the suppositories might help, if she understands cause and effect, and doesn't like the suppositories.

[svs79]

Kathy, thanks for the gluten free idea.  We tried this for a while last year when trying to figure out what was causing her eczema, so definitely worth a try again.  I have tried telling her to get it out so we don't have to do the suppository, but that hasn't worked so far.  Thanks so much for your reply.