Many children struggle to use the toilet. Encopresis, commonly called “soiling” or “fecal incontinence,” involves the unintentional passing of stool. Often linked to chronic constipation, it can also stem from emotional difficulties such as anxiety. This condition is not typically diagnosed as a medical issue until a child is at least 4 years old. Encopresis can be very stressful for both children and their families, but it can be effectively treated. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.
Some tips to support your child if they struggle in this area:
- The first step is to obtain a medical consultation with your child’s physician or pediatrician to identify and address any underlying physical factors. Their doctor may suggest medication treatments such as Restolorax, or complete further diagnostic testing. Additionally, maintaining a diet that incorporates high-fiber foods, increasing fluid intake, and limiting foods known to cause constipation can be a helpful part of your child’s treatment plan.
- Children can be taught how their bodies (i.e., digestion and elimination) work. When children understand this process, it feels less scary to them. Use age-appropriate methods to explain “how and why we poop and pee” by incorporating books, videos, and creative art activities. For instance, the YouTube video “The Poo in You” is a valuable resource that illustrates digestion, the effects of holding in stool, why accidents happen, and proper toilet posture.
- Encourage your child to create different “poop shapes” or model their digestive system using play dough or clay. This normalizes the topic and helps children engage in conversations about bowel movements in a fun, hands-on way.
- Create a comic strip that illustrates the process of food turning into poop. This is another way to help demystify the body and makes learning more engaging and fun for children.
- Engage in messy play (mud, water, sand, or slime) as these activities can help with sensory processing and can reduce toileting fears.
- Practice deep breathing on the toilet such as using a pinwheel for breathing or blowing bubbles.
- Role-play with dolls or stuffed animals, pretending they are learning to use the toilet to make the process less intimidating. Characters in play can also express common feelings of anxiety and avoidance. Children are often more comfortable practicing coping strategies and discussing feelings in the metaphor of play as this provides emotional distance to discuss difficulties.
If you have any questions or would like to book in to further support your child in overcoming their toileting struggles, you can email, call, or submit a message using our contact form.
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