Stool Withholding: What To Do When Your Child Won't Poop! (USA Edition)

An absolute lifesaver, thank you for writing this book and not only making me realize that my child is not struggling to go several times a day but struggling to hold. I’m eternally grateful to have figured this out now at just past 2 years old but before we start potty training. I have spent so many days so frustrated at his constant poopy smell from just a small amount of poop passing. I also want to just say that you have also given me recognition and relief from the realization that I myself suffered for YEARS and even into adulthood with withholding. I just thought I had gastric issues and had tried everything in the book. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my 2nd child and terrified of reliving a horrific constipation issue I had with my first that my dr assured me I could take up to 4 stool softener pills everyday of my pregnancy with no consequences. I did this and Now realize after reading your book that that’s how I finally trained my body to stop unconsciously holding. I’m so relieved to have found your book and be able to help stop this cycle with my son before it starts because it does cause psychological anxiety and distress in my experience. A billion thanks and I know how brave and dedicated one must be to put together their experience into something useful for others so I see you and commend you!

Amazing and easy read!!! Gave me so much peace and a clear action plan!!! So glad to have found this!!!

Book is well written but I feel it sums up all the info online and didn't share anything "new." My 3 year old is terrified of pooping and we've already been on laxatives so I bought this out of desperation in hope it would share some magical Fix but I feel it didnt give me anything new that I hadn't already read online in other forums. Did help remind me we're not alone in our struggle

My child is struggling with early stages of withholding. This book has helped frame the issue and provide our family with suggestions on how to move forward out of this stage. We are currently administering magnesium daily as opposed to the laxities suggested. Magnesium’s benefits weren’t addressed in this book, but I am a fan of trying magnesium for constipation prior to laxities. We are currently increasing our child’s daily magnesium dose to get to a good therapeutic level. We are using the Calm brand which has no sugar. We’ve actually had successful poops in the toilet and our child is so excited about going! This will be a long process as the author suggests, so we are focusing on regular positive changes with consistency!

This book completely described what we were going through. My 3 year old has been withholding for a year. Only going about once a week . The PEG dosage was wrong. So I decided to try what this book said. My daughter had a bowl movement on the 2nd day, comfortably. I'm going to give her the maintenance dosage till we get this down. Thank you for this book! I felt alone. Dr would just tell me it's gonna come out eventually. Thank you! Thank you!

This book just works! After a year of poop accidents and not understanding what was going on or what exactly to do, my 3.5 year old went from poop accidents everyday, to none within 10 days of following this book. He's maybe had 2 incidents in the 2 months since starting the program. It's a miracle. There may be some other books that are more thorough out there, but this one is short and sweet and effective which worked for us, being a busy working mom with two little ones in preschool. It explains the mechanics of what's happening when a child is stool-withholding, just enough, so that you can fix it. A life-saver!

Could have been summed up in about one chapter. Just give your kids a bunch of laxatives, and monitor them. What worked for me, laxatives and finding out what he really liked, then telling him if he wanted it again, then he had to go poop. Then he started going. But I guess the book did help me get through a very difficult time in our childs life, and ours.

I like the info provided. There were good reference sections for laxative doses and good/bad foods to eat. We haven't implemented anything yet. Our issue didn't start as constipation, so it will be interesting if the physicians assessment includes these suggestions as well. Appointments have been made with child psychologist as well, hope the collection of information sends us on a treatment path. Good to know we are not alone!

I was afraid to use Miralax as there is a number of websites saying it is harmful for children; however , after reading this book, I am confident that PEG is the way to go.

Thank you, its a great book and it has given me hope that some day we will be able to have poo with out any movicol.

This book was excellent with it's explainations for withholding and guidelines for assisting long term recovery. Recommend to all parents of children with any sensory issues, food intolerances, developmental delays, and especially Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This book was just what I needed. Dealing with this exact situation it made me feel like my concerns for my child were justified and seen. Thank you!

I’ve been worried about my 5 year olds stool withholding for months. I came across this book today and I’ve got an appointment with our doctor today. I feel reassured about what plan of action may be most helpful and can discuss this with the doctor. Thank you