Pee and poop problems
For most children, toilet training is a process that happens 'naturally' between the ages of two and four. The basis for potty training lies in the ability, willingness and understanding. A child must feel that they have to pee or poop and must understand what a toilet or potty is for.
However, sometimes toilet training does not work or not so well and children older than four years still regularly have wet pants or faeces in their underpants. The reason may already be known: for example, problems with urinating and defecating can arise as a result of abdominal surgery, a congenital defect or a traumatic experience.
This is of course extremely annoying for the child itself, but the parents/caregivers also experience stress surrounding these problems. Children don't always show that they are bothered, hide the clothes that have become dirty or ignore the wet pants they are wearing.
What is paediatric pelvic therapy
Paediatric pelvic therapy focuses, among other things, on peeing and/or pooping accidents, abdominal pain, constipation complaints, not being potty trained and bedwetting. Our therapist, specialized in the pelvic floor in children, can draw up an examination and treatment plan with you. The therapy is aimed at creating insight in the child and carers and that children become the boss of their own stomach, bladder and intestine.
One of our therapists specializes in the pelvic floor and can help with the problems below.
- Peeing accidents during the day
- Bedwetting
- Having to urinate very often
- Bladder infections
- Poop accidents during the day
- Fear of urinating or defecating
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain combined with the above symptoms
What does the examination and treatment look like with children?
First consultation
To get a good picture of the complaints, a conversation will first take place with you and your child. The request for help is inventoried and you will be asked questions about your child's urinating and defecating behaviour, toilet posture, eating and drinking. Sometimes it is decided to schedule a separate meeting with the parents in order not to burden the child too much.
The paediatric physiotherapist will give you a poop and urine diary, which you can use for a number of days to record when your child urinates/poops, drinking or when it has an accident. The paediatric physiotherapist will then carry out an assessment to get an impression of the motor skills, sensory information processing, posture and the use of the pelvic floor muscles (this is with clothes on).
The treatment
The treatment plan is drawn up in consultation with the parent(s)/caregivers, the child and possibly the referrer.
The treatment may consist of:
- Explanation about peeing and pooping and what the problem is.
- Completing a pee and/or poop diary.
- Explanation about the correct toilet behaviour and the correct toilet position.
- Advice on eating, drinking and exercise.
- Learning to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles.
- Exercises to learn to pee or defecate correctly.
- Exercises aimed at breathing and relaxation.
Do you recognize signs or do you have questions about your child's toilet training? Then please contact us. contact us.
