BM Question

[mimi]

I have written about my dcb who is 3 yet the size of a 5 year old. His parents are hit and miss with the toilet training and he refuses to go here. I know how to deal with that issue however I am curious about age and the consistency of bowel movements. This dcb always always has loose stools. It is a mess and I don't have to tell you ladies how much fun it is to clean that up. I have dck's who have good diets and have solid stools and this dcb is the only one who doesn't and he eats well. When I record his diaper changes I always list "loose" so the parents know this is out of the norm - in my experience anyways. The parents have never commented about this and as I said just think toilet training "will come" (really, like the mail?) Thanks for any insight.

[playfelt]

If the child is eating a lot of bran, whole wheat, veggies, legumes, etc - as in the most healthy diet a softer stool is normal since their body has trouble digesting some of the foods. Some kids just have that as their normal stool no matter what they eat. Which also means when he does do it in the toilet you will still have to wipe him down most likely for the first little while till he learns to wipe properly.

[mimi]

Thanks playfelt. His diet is good, but he has to be incouraged to eat fruit/veggies which he will eat some. I'm just concerned about food allergies or intestinal issues.

[Sandbox Sally]

I find this helpful:

http://www.continence.org.au/pages/b...ool-chart.html

[Inspired by Reggio]

I find this helpful:

http://www.continence.org.au/pages/b...ool-chart.html

LOL yes this always makes me laugh to look at but it is a good resource!

Also remember a 'soft sausage / snake' shown in the Bristol stool chart is reflective of it being left in a 'toilet' so it can often look like a squished sloppy mess in the diaper if the kid has sat in the diaper while pooping or afterwards ... I have a training 3 year old who when he goes in the toilet it looks 'healthy' sausage like but when in the diaper it is a loose sticky mess that makes me want to

A solid stool while nice for us to clean up is actually NOT ideal at all as it is an indication of constipation and generally either from not enough fiber being eaten but also not enough water being consumed in a day ~ something that MOST of us are guilty of ~ our society does not drink enough water!

[mimi]

thank you alphaghetti for the link. I didn't think I would be spending my down time reading about poop LOL. He's a stage 6.

[Inspired by Reggio]

thank you alphaghetti for the link. I didn't think I would be spending my down time reading about poop LOL. He's a stage 6.

My guess is he likely has a food allergy that has gone untreated ... chronic loose stools are common among dairy, wheat and other food allergens!

Does he have any other issues like excema or skin disorders?

Runny nose chronically?

Ear infections?

[apples and bananas]

I have a 3 year old that is the same way. No interest in training and mom and dad don't seem to care. But, his BM's are solid and easy to dump in the toilet. Never had a loose stool from that kid (knocking on wood) I can't imagion dealing with it!

[crafty]

OMG ... I am so happy to see this. I felt completely "poop crazy'' because I have a child that constipates all the time. Especialy on Mondays when he returns from home. I know the home diete is not very ideal. Lots of junk and boxed stuff but he still eats well here...Well NOW he does and he drinks lots of water and when he does constipate I cut down on his dairy but the parents do not seem to get it. I do not want to go in details but sometimes his poop looks like play d'ho or some sort of paste and the color is weird. Have you guys seen this ? He is the one that has severe dry skin and I had to ''force'' the parents to seek medical advice for his skin. But I always suspected allergies or food intolerances but I don't know what more I can do for him. The parents say it"s normal and kinda just brush off my concerns so now I only write it down in his journal. He does not seem in discomfort ...well expect when he itches until he bleeds but tummy wise he never complains.

So thanks for this post ... Do you guys have any advice for me or is that were my job ends ?? Bring it up to the parents and HOPE they do something about it.

[mimi]

Yes Reggio he has ear infections and occasional excema. Could be a food allergy. Thank you all. I now have some good info to get his parents thinking about dealing with this. I will chat with them at pick up. I know what is waiting for me when his nap is over.