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Strange TMI Question

Nymh's picture

Ok, this may sound gross, but... How often do [your] children go number 2? I've always heard that you're supposed to go at least once a day. SS goes about once a week. I assume it's because of the food he is fed... we try to get him to eat good healthy food when he's with us but he usually is very resistant because he's used to just eating chicken (literally, JUST chicken, every meal, every day). He had an intestinal blockage last year and had to be put on medication and have several things done to him which are done when that happens that I won't get into. I don't think he or BM understand that the things that he eats (or doesn't eat) have a direct correspondance with the fact that he never poops. Am I overthinking this?

Comments

smurfy1smile's picture

Everyone needs a balanced diet for good health, normal, regular bowel movements, nice hair, skin, teeth and nails, etc. I think once a week is not normal but it could be for him. I would check with the pediatrician and see if your concerns are warrented. My kids all have a bowel movement pretty much daily as do the adults in the house.

Oh Canada's picture

is he drinking enough water? The problem sounds much more involved if he's only going once a week. If his stool is really hard it is going to hurt and he will try to hold it in.

Nymh's picture

He never drinks water. In fact, the only thing I saw the kid drink for the first year that we had him was sodas. BF didn't understand that soda is not the same as water even though it contains water. He thought anything liquid was OK. SS would even drink a coke at dinner and end up staying up all night long. At one point I finally was like, "LOOK!" and explained this to BF. It wasn't until SS was hospitalized last year with an intestinal blockage that I finally got BF to listen to me on this issue. But SS still very very rarely drinks water.

*~So sayeth Nymh~*

ColorMeGone2's picture

He probably needs to increase his liquids and his fiber. My SS went through a similar period where he would only go once or twice a week. And I kid you not, that kid could shit a football. He's always loved milk and cheese, but he would get too much dairy and not enough fruits, veggies and greens and it would stop him up. We gave him apples for snacks, which he loved, and grapes, watermelon, canteloupe... anything with a high water content. And, of course, made sure he ate his veggies at supper and cut back on the dairy. We had to watch him, though, because he'd ask for a snack and go straight for the cheese. We had to make sure he was getting something with some roughage and cut him back to one cup a milk at breakfast and water the rest of the day.

♥ Anne 8102, D/B/A Georgia ♥

"Good men don't just happen. They have to be created by us women." (from ROSEANNE)

Nymh's picture

"And I kid you not, that kid could shit a football."

That's actually why I'm writing this. SS went to the bathroom today and forgot to flush, and when BF found it he said it was about as big as his arm! We asked SS when the last time he went before today was, and he said it was Tuesday or Wednesday.

I asked him if there were any fruits or veggies that we could get for him to snack on, and he decided on a few that he likes. I have a feeling it's going to be really, really hard to get him to eat any vegetables, though. The kid is on strike against "anything green."

*~So sayeth Nymh~*

ColorMeGone2's picture

Maybe you can try hiding them in dips. We get the low fat/no fat/low cal Ranch salad dressing for dipping carrots and celery. We get peanut butter for dipping apples. I also get those little flavor packets that you add to bottled water. I get the Wal-Mart brand, which is zero calories and zero sugar, because kids don't always like to drink plain water. They're cheap and they do the trick. If he likes crackers, see if you can get him to eat some Triscuits or some type of high-fiber cracker. Usually the apples help pretty quick. Every single one of my kids/skids likes my zucchini bread, which is pretty much just like banana bread, only made with zucchini. Sounds gross, but it's good. You leave the peel on, so that adds some fiber. None of the kids likes wheat bread, but we get Nature's Own Whitewheat bread and sneak it in that way, too.

♥ Anne 8102, D/B/A Georgia ♥

"Good men don't just happen. They have to be created by us women." (from ROSEANNE)

StepLightly's picture

I only went about once every 2 weeks as a kid and now the same. I know...I'm literally full of $hit! I've been checked out numerous times and that's just the way my system works. So...yes, be concerned, but not overboard.

Oh Canada's picture

I don't have kids - but can a fiber pill help? (not sure if kids can have pills like this or if they are for adults only) If he won't eat veggies maybe he could down a pill once a day to help.

I couldn't swallow a pill to save my life as a kid, so maybe a fiber drink would be better.

Nymh's picture

I'd say that it probably would help, but we're wanting to try to get him to eat healthier. We told him that pills and metamucil-type mixes would be the next step if we can't get him a little more regular by just eating more fruits and veggies.

*~So sayeth Nymh~*

Mary Louise's picture

metamucil makes a "cookie" that you might trick him into eating.

also, we discovered quite by accident that our non-veggie eating kid LOVES spinach leaves - he ate almost a whole bag on them by himself. After I picked my mouth up off the floor, I vowed to keep buying that for salad because he will actually eat them.

Get creative!

Sita Tara's picture

This condition untreated can be fatal. Not having enough BM's is a symptom. We have to watch Anna because DH had surgery for a blockage at 3. I also had hernia surgery at six, so we pay close attention to Anna's biological functions.

If BM is not following a healthy diet, with fiber, water etc then she is neglecting a potential life threatening situation. I would call the Dr, whether DH has legal custody or not. This could be cause for a change in custody. Hopefully the threat of that will be enough for BM to change her ways before something bad happens.

"Om Tare Tutare Ture Mama Ayurpunye Jnana Putin Kuru Svaha"
~Sita Tara Mantra