If you feed your child at regular intervals, she’ll probably poo at regular intervals too. And if you’re reading this then chances are that you, or someone you know, is affected by it. However, he is for some reason terrified to go poop. If it’s related to smell… try aromatherapy oils to provide an alternative smell. (They don't call it the Anal Stage for nothin'!) or at any public restrooms? My three-year-old daughter has been smearing poop, and it has increased in frequency. What time does your 9 year old go to bed. ‘You need to clear up the mess with minimal attention to your child and without showing disgust. I have suggested to OH to take the computer off him for one night every time he does it, but OH won't do it. To try to comprehend the genesis of movements like, “I’m going to put my own poop in my hand and smear it on the walls,” is a mind-numbing exercise for an outsider. Make sure her diet contains lots of natural fibre — plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains — and that you're also encouraging her to drink plenty of water. Learn more about abnormally large poop, what generally causes it, … Please note, as this is a peer-to-peer discussion board, Netmums has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. See Answer. I'm just wondering whether he's feeling ostracised because you're not his "real" mum and that he may think the other children are favoured. Just keep a neutral expression and clean up as calmly as you can. I do think though your OH needs to understand that this behaviour is not acceptable and you need an united front to tackle it best. At three or four years old, some of those techniques can work, but at 5, 6, 7 and 8 years old, it is beyond normal toilet training tactics. While there are no official figures about how many children are affected by faecal smearing, it’s usually linked to one of the reasons below, or more often to a combination of reasons. Kids should be doing that anyway but they're alone in … It can be very difficult for you as a parent to cope with and can stop you wanting to have people over or go out, in case your child smears. I'm having trouble with my 10 year old son pooping in his pants. Poo smearing was a topic talked about when we fostered, because the children have been hurt, and so if he had someone he could talk to about his birth mother that might help him? Does he have any special needs at all? She dosnt even wash her hands afterwards so she spreads it onto her fae, in her mouth, and around the house. Asked by Wiki User. Aging causes the gut to slow down, so poop does not pass through as quickly. 0 0 1 0 0 0 0. This increases the motivation to learn proper bowel habits. Smearing has been linked to children with autism, but this is only one of many possible causes. I would say ask her if she wants some diapers, one she might be doing this as a means to control you because she is unable to communicate her will two she may very well wish to be treated like a baby again. This wasn’t first and has yet to be the last time one of my toddlers has removed or simply reached into their diaper to smear, paint, and plain out play with their poop. My OH (his father) is reluctant to punish him for this, so I don't feel its in my place to punish him if his Dad doesn't. He was playing with poop. i agree with this. In every case reward and respond in a way you know your child will enjoy.'. 'Always look for, and treat, any medical causes first.’. Have namechanged in case dd wants to be a politician or marry someone in the royal family when she grows up. It's normal for a toddler to play in poop, because they haven't yet developed the usual disgust reaction. The strangest part is I will go into his room sometimes and in his closet he will be standing and trying to poop. What can I do to get her to start wiping herself? Hi, Whether you have a toddler or an older child, if she is smearing her faeces on the wall, carpet or anywhere else, it can be a difficult and embarrassing (not to mention messy) issue for you to deal with. So they can't control the accidents that usually follow. It does sound like that he has quality time with you but it could be that he needs more. My SIX year old has smeared poo on the walls at school, help! And is mainly Towards his dad but i have also seen it. He said that he just can't wipe himself well, but it is - Answered by a verified Pediatrician It may be that your child is constipated or her bum is sore and itchy, or some other medical issue. I asked the occupational therapist who was working with him at the time (he was three years old then), and she had never heard of it. Whether or not the behaviour is linked to constipation, Linda suggests: She explains: ‘It's important to establish regular mealtimes. Then, after a week's supervision you let him go alone, if it happens again, back to supervision. From behaviour to bedtimes, school choices to screen time, this is the place to talk all things child-related. Choose one that also enourages feelings of calm and relaxation. My 9 year old step son often finger smears poo on the bathroom walls, floor, sink, bath and even his bedroom walls and the side of his bed. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team. Last modified on Thursday 17 December 2020. Not only does she smear her poop everywhere, but she also has a corner in my living room where she, for the lack of a better term, "marks her territory." I work in an Elementary School and we have found several instances where a little girl has smeared poop on the bathroom wall. There is never any deliberate favouritism and we do try to make sure they are all treated fairly. If OH is so keen he isn't punished leave it to him to clean up! He also has regressional behavior. Linda says: ‘Your child might be very insensitive and not feel it when she goes. He doesn't have any special needs but his biological mother moved abroad when he was very young and that affected him quite a lot. Don't overreact. This can include putting playdough out to play with during the day (if she is old enough) or touch boards offering different textures. Hi thanks for replies :-) 'Does the smearing happen at predictable times or in particular places? I'm going through this Right Now and My County Will NOT HELP ME!!! It does sound like that he has quality time with you but it could be that he needs more. Medical reasons could include: Linda adds: ‘I’d recommend parents rule out a physical or medical cause first. She knows when to pee on the potty and does it fine. But it's unusual for a six year old. ‘Also make sure you have regular toilet times. Even is she doesn't manage to go, Linda recommends praising her for trying and then carry on with whatever you were doing before the smearing. good luck. Make sure you keep the oils or diffusers well out of your child’s reach though. Just wondering how common this is? If your child is smearing at night, the National Autistic Society suggests thinking about using a special bodystocking to stop the behaviour. Linda says: ‘Whenever your child poos in the toilet or potty, even if they try but don’t produce anything, reward with lots of praise and attention. It can be very difficult for you as a parent to cope with and can stop you wanting to have people over or go out, … How you are coping with it on a regular basis I really don't know it's horrible. But the 1 year old especially takes up more of our time with dressing, changing and feeding. It fluctuates what our needs are for quality time and it could be that he is unsettled. Eww the dirty little toe rag! But says she can't do it when she poops. I dread opening the door to find he’s used an entire roll of toilet paper and smeared the walls and toilet with poo. How you are coping with it on a regular basis I really don't know it's horrible. Very gross. Replies. Not far off but I’ll spare you the details. If your OH won't agree to put a stop to this, maybe he wouldn't mind cleaning it off the walls? Smearing has been linked to children with autism, but this is only one of many possible causes. After all, it’s his poop in his pants. Smearing can take lots of different forms, from a toddler reaching into her nappy and then wiping poo on herself through to an older child taking faeces out of the toilet and playing with it. I’m curious….if my son is smearing would this be a sure sign that there is some sort of mental illness? 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