Son Is 6 and Starting Pooping in His Pants Again

You should look up Encopresis. My son would always "poop " his pants and I was getting so frustrated, and then found out this is what he had. Its when a child resists having a bowel movement which cause impacted stool. Liquid stool leaks around the impacted stool and the leakage ends up in their underwear. Sometimes my son wouldn't even know it was happening, sometimes they can't control it. I have read they grow out of it and my son who is almost 9, hasn't had any "accidents" in a while. This went on for quite a while though. Just a possiblity! I hope you find some answers!

Why do you "fear" he will have an accident at school? Accidents happen sometimes.

There are really only 2 reasons why a child regresses with potty issues. 1 is medical, so you need to rule that out.

The other reason is that potty stuff is really the ONLY thing they have complete and utter control over in their life. It's not just "a way to get attention" but it IS a way to let you know that they are feeling out of control and are feeling a need to be in control of something.

You have posted several posts about your anxieties, in general, as well as your fears about his friends and his choice in toys. He may be picking up on your anxieties. If he starts feeling that you are not happy with him, but he isn't sure why... this can cause him to regress with potty training.

I agree with your husband. This is nothing to get upset about. This is a developmental issue that YOUR SON has to handle for himself, and YOUR job as mom is to help him and teach him. So, when he has an accident.... you simply help him clean himself up. Without judgement. Without emotion. ONLY with empathy. Know that your son is struggling inside with SOMETHING and this is the only way he can express it.

Good Luck.

I agree with CoMoMom on everything she said.
Often, from my experience, regression happens because of some change in a child's life: new baby, starting preschool/school, new family situation (ie a grandparent moving in or elderly parent needing care), new spouse... those events are very huge for kids.

Did your son attend Kindergarten yet, or is this his first year? Not saying this is the reason it's happening; it's just a question for you.

Do you notice a certain time of day that he does this? Sometimes children can get in a habit of pants-messing at a certain time of day. I once cared for a four year old who did this almost immediately every day after coming home from preschool. With younger children, you can sometimes circumvent things by getting them (in a friendly way) on the toilet before they poop.

I would most certainly NOT mention your fear to your son; it will only cause him more anxiety. Just calm, matter-of-fact cleanup as suggested. If you need to say *anything*, keep it a positive message: "I'm looking forward to the time when you get to the toilet in time." Leave it at that. And because I do take your concern very seriously, if it continues, talk to the school counselor and teacher privately. This is not something your son needs to know you are discussing with others--he'd likely be mortified. However, if there is something going on at school or if you need some help, school counselors are a great resource. Maybe there's a stress that he isn't able to be aware-enough of or process/identify on his own; those who spend time with your son like his teacher may have some insight, so follow up with them if this continues. My guess is that unless you are having a big reaction or giving lots of attention to it, it likely isn't an attention-getting behavior.

Talk to your doctor. At this age, it is very common, and if it is not a "full poop", but more like a big smudge amount, it IS a sign of constipation. My son had it. It's called encoperisis and it's pretty common. Your pedi can help with it and it can be helped with a diet change and miralax.

You can take him to the Doc, just to rule out anything.

My daughter's Teachers, from Preschool to Kindergarten to 1st grade, ALL said unanimously, that kids these ages, have accidents. And yes, even at school. And it is normal. Except, that the parents are embarrassed about it but ask the Teachers about it, in a hush-hush manner. And, at my kids' school, the Health Room even stocks... clean underwear and shorts and t-shirts, for the young kids that do have accidents at school. And they make NO fuss about it. Because, accidents, happen.

You see, I know this because my daughter had accidents in Kinder and 1st grade. And in Preschool. And she was my first child. I wasn't sure, what was "normal" or not, back then.
She is 10 now and perfectly normal.

Have you tried, to chat with your son, about it? In a non-lecturing manner and in a manner so that he is not afraid to express himself about it? See what he says. Or, maybe him being in Elementary school now, he is getting adjusted and so many things can tweak a kid. Maybe, he is holding it ALL day... and by the time he comes home, he is bursting...and then it just comes out before he can get to the toilet?
Some kids, DO hold it, ALL day long while at school. They are self-conscious to poop at school. Maybe that is the case?
Ask him, in a comforting manner, what may be bothering him.
And I agree with your Husband. Try not to get "mad" at him. I highly doubt he is doing this on purpose.

Talk to your doc. It may not appear to be constipation but that is a sign of it. And send him one or two extra pairs of undies in a bag to keep in his backpack just in case.

I really think it's common around this age for kids to have some accidents. If you're super worried about it have the doc do an abdominal x-ray to see if he's constipated. If he is add some of that powder you mix in drinks. Metamusil. That's what the pediatrician gave my granddaughter.

Another vote for potential encopresis. Our son had it. The pediatrician can be a real resource right now, so I would call his/her office about what's been going on.

Exactly what CoMoMom said.