Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Potty Training

Christine E

Recommended Posts

Christine E Newbie
Christine E
Posted

Hi, did anyone have trouble potty training their celiac child and suspect it was due to celiac disease? Especially pooping on the potty? Is it reasonable to get a doctor letter to allow my 3 1/2 year old son to wear pull-ups to preschool due to the irregularity in bowel movements? I suspect he is often constipated and that may be the problem. He's pretty good with going pee-pee in the potty, but I wonder if number two has to do with celiac, or is it just normal potty training? Any suggestions?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


dandelionmom Enthusiast
dandelionmom
Posted

We have the same problem. Julia is 3 and a half and I'm not sure if she can go to preschool in a pull up. She does so well with pee but I just don't think she has enough notice when she has have a bm.

Christine E Newbie
Christine E
Posted
  • Author

Do you think it's celiac related?

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

None of my six kids wanted to poo on the toilet. I would sit them there when I knew they had to go, they would hold it, then go as soon as I put the diaper back on.

SO, what I did is, pay attention to when they go ... when you see the signs that it's coming soon, have them SQUAT on the toilet (stand on the seat and hold onto you for balance). This is the position they get in to go in their pants, so it's more natural. The added bonus is, they can't hold it!

We had to hold my son in this position because he would try to stand up straight to stop it from coming out.

After a couple times of this, the fear of pooing in the toilet is gone.

If they're having loose bm's and not making it to the toilet, that's a whole different story. I think many adults here can relate to that!

vanillazeis Rookie
vanillazeis
Posted

my little girl turned 3 last monday, and we're dealing with the same situation. i was wondering if i talked to her school if they would make an exception for her to start preschool in pull-ups. im nervous!! although i've been bribing her and telling her that her baby brother goes potty in his diaper because thats what babies do, but big girls go big girl potty. seems to be working, but she still goes in her pull-up once or twice a week. i think the answer here is to quit putting pull-ups on her, but we're still dealing with some diarrhea, she's only been gluten free for a month. i dont have the answer. sorry. if it makes you more comfortable, talk to her pre-school about it, im sure they will be understanding. unless its a public preschool. then i would get a note from my dr!

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
but we're still dealing with some diarrhea, she's only been gluten free for a month.

I really think a doctor's note would be a good idea. We adults even struggle to stay clean when we are dealing with diarrhea. :ph34r: I think it's way too much to expect a newly potty trained kid to be able to handle it ... they have enough stress with dealing with their celiac than to feel bad about "accidents" that are truly accidents.

covsooze Enthusiast
covsooze
Posted

I agreee with carla re the pull ups at school but, please be aware that poos on the toilet are difficult for olts of kids, not just coeliacs. We had big problems with our DS getting him to poo on the toilet, but it eventually just clicked. When seeking help with it, we discovered that loads of kids struggle with poo related fears. One day they just get it. I told the nursery teacher about it and she was great, she said not to worry and that he won't be in pull-ups when he's 18! Just wanted to reassure you that you will get there :)

Susie x

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


dandelionmom Enthusiast
dandelionmom
Posted

I am sure it is celiac related. She looks so sad when it happens and she says, "I didn't know." :(

I think she has so much gas that she can't differentiate the feelings. Just today she ran to the bathroom yelling, "I have to GOOOOO!" And she actually did, right on the potty. I don't know how quickly children start to feel better but we've been gluten-free for a week and I'm noticing a marked improvement in her overall temperament so I wonder if the potty success is another sign that she is feeling better.

Juliet Newbie
Juliet
Posted

Our son is almost 3 years and 10 months and all we've gotten him to do is pee on the toilet 5 times in the last month. We can't get him to do anything else. He's absolutely PARANOID when he doesn't have his diaper on. He begs and cries for it to be back on. He doesn't even like it off when he's taking a bath. He's been gluten free for over a year and a half, and during that time he's only had 2 really bad diarrhea episodes, but the fear of losing control is still there, we think, in part, because it was soooooooooooooo bad before diagnosis. So he always wants it on just in case. We found a pre-school that will take him even if he still uses diapers and we plan on starting him there next month. Any suggestions from others who've dealt with this I'd be glad to receive. In the meantime, I'm jealous of all of you who at least have their kids pee in the toilet! ;)

vanillazeis Rookie
vanillazeis
Posted

i dont know if your kiddo still takes naps or not, but the way i started getting bayleigh to pee on the potty was putting her on it right when she wakes up from her nap, at first we read books and sang songs, but we sat there until she went. eventually it turned into always going on the potty. if he wakes up dry in the morning you could try then... or even if he doesnt if he wakes up at the same time everyday, wake him up before he usually wakes up and run him to the potty. i also reward with jelly beans. for my kid it was like she really didnt understand what she was supposed to do, and when she finally got it, it just kinda clicked. good luck!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. ShariW
      - ShariW commented on Scott Adams's article in Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
      4

      What are Celiac Disease Symptoms?

      In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, I had gastroesophageal reflux that was becoming intolerable despite treatment with PPIs and antacids. When I went gluten-free, the GERD lessened tremendously (as did the other symptoms).
    2. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      Thank you so very much Scott. Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful. If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to ...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,908
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ebrown
    Newest Member
    ebrown
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      My only proof

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
    • Scott Adams
      I think I am gluten intolerant

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Based on what you've described, it is absolutely possible you are dealing with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.   Your situation is a classic presentation: a negative celiac panel but a clear, recurring pattern of symptoms triggered by gluten. The symptoms you listed—particularly the extreme fatigue, bloating, neurological-psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety, and even the skin manifestations like facial flushing—are all well-documented in research on NCGS. It's important to know that you are not alone in experiencing this specific combination of physical and emotional reactions. The only way to know for sure is to commit to a strict, 100% gluten-free diet under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian for a period of several weeks to see if your symptoms significantly improve. It is also crucial to rule out other potential causes, so discussing these symptoms with a gastroenterologist is a very important next step.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.