Only Pooing in a Nappy, Diaper or Pull up! Where to start in helping?

Charmaine Champ Author

Only pooing in a nappy can impact upon more than our childrens toileting needs. Within this blog we share more about pooing and the help available.

The progression from wearing nappies, diapers, pull-ups in the day, to using the toilet to pass wees and poos, is a monumental childhood milestone. Children can begin to be ready to use the potty or toilet between 18 months and 3 years of age. However, the skills needed to recognise, understand and respond to using the toilet are not age related and do not happen over night. Skills need to be learnt. Learning new skills can take time. There are many internal and external factors that can influence how and when a child is "able" to progress with learning new skills, using the toilet and stopping using a nappy.

Toileting should not focus on age and instead focus on building the skills needed to progress with toileting. 

Studies reveal that one in three children experience a "poo difficulty", however, these are just the children known to the medical professionals.

Poo, when we poo, how we poo and what our poo looks like, are not easy topics to talk about, with family, friends, colleagues or medical professionals. Therefore discussions about "what" is normal is not always easy to identify or explore with others. This can lead to thinking that a poo pattern or the way a poo is passed is "normal", for an individual child i.e. a child always passes a large poo in his nappy, after school, and no further thoughts of "why" this may or may not be taking place occur.

• Does it matter how or where our children poo? 

Yes, it does! How, where and when our children poo, can highlight a child's poo pattern, the first step in ruling out if there is or isn't a poo difficulty, which may or may not be preventing our children from progressing with toileting. 

Why do some children only Poo in a nappy? 

Poo is the waste, the part our body does not need and is meant to leave the body. Poos are passed either three times a day or three / four times a week. 

When our children experience the following, poo can remain within the body: 

• a slower poo transit or low muscle tone, resist or with hold passing a poo, a delay occurs.
• Sensory processing differences
• reduced drinking
• microbiome balance
• illness
• change in routine  

When poos remain within the body they can become painful or uncomfortable when passed and the size, type and how often being passed can change.

Wearing a nappy, diaper or pull up can provide security, feelings of safety and sensations of comfort when poos are uncomfortable or difficult to pass.

What is being communicated by our children when pooing in a nappy?  

Only pooing in a nappy, is our childrens way of letting us know that they are struggling with either their internal or external needs. 

Our role as parents, carers, teachers or other professional is then to support our children in identifying "what" the internal or external needs that are affecting the child, are!

Poo "can" and "does" really affect how, when and what children do, both within the family home and school as well as how our children are to respond to others and their environment. Poo affects our childrens behavioural responses, eating, sleeping and so much more! 

Where can we start in helping?

How can we help our children who are only pooing in a nappy? 

We can start, by identifying and confirming "your" child's "poo pattern". Keeping track and identifying "what" your child's Poo type and pattern is, is not always easy. That's why here at Clear Steps Consultancy we have an easy to use approach to help:

1. A Monitoring chart: Where to start in getting the PEE & Poo in the loo! using the Bristol Stool Chart

It is recommended recording your child's Poo type for a minimum of four days (if possible fourteen days, to give a really clear picture of what is happening for your child)

We can also help our children who are only pooing in a nappy, or avoiding the toilet when pooing, through exploring their gut health. What to do about Poo? is a step by step support approach, sharing where to start with poo, gut health. Click on to our website for your copy today.  

How can Clear Steps Consultancy help you further, with children who will only poo in a nappy?

Charmaine, at Clear Steps Consultancy supports children with and without a diagnosis, additional needs, their families, schools, organisations, charities and professionals internationally, in progressing and being successful with Toileting, Sleeping and Understanding Behaviour.  Support available to help with Poo, is as individual as the children, families and schools themselves, from online support to one to one Parenting Support Packages to Comprehensive assessments.

Charmaine, helps with Poo progress and toileting, through a support group: How to get the PEE & Poo in the loo! When Poo difficulties are impacting upon your child's daily life, these can be overcome through and supported through the group.  

Help and support is available!

Where are you on your child's poo journey?

Start helping your child, with Poo today!"

Categories: : Poo, Pooing in a Nappy, Sensory needs and toileting, Toileting