SPD And Poop Training

by Becky
(Garner, NC, USA)

My son was diagnosed at 2 1/2 with SPD. He is 4 1/2 now and over the summer he has successfully learned how to pee in the potty. I did this by the no pants method for two weeks. He has done great and even holds his pee through the night. He tells us every time when he needs to go.

But poop is another matter. He holds it as long as he can (3-4 days a couple of times), then he will go to the potty over and over and try to poop but he cannot make his muscles do it.

He cries through the whole thing (like he is afraid) but a couple of times he was able to do a "dot" and he was so proud.

I talked to the doctor and she put him on Miralax to try make it easier. This causes loose stools but he never could do it in the toilet no matter how long you made him sit. I quit the Miralax a week ago, but the loose stool finally stopped yesterday.

My problem is now that for the last 3 nights he has peed in the bed. Last night he even pooped(hasn't done that since a year old). Yesterday afternoon he kept going back to the potty trying to poop but just couldn't do it.

Sunday he had accidents all day. He would tell me "I've got poo poo" and it would only be pee or maybe a streak. I think he has the sensations but can't distinquish what it is. And I don't think he knows how to make it happen. And then he gets really upset about it. It tears him up when he has an accident.

How can I break this down so that I can teach him about poo poo? I know if I go back to pull ups full time, he will revert on his pee.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.