How Many Poops Are Too Many Poops

[heatherh]

How many times dose a "normal" child have to poop in a day? My son is about 26months. He goes poop at least 3-6 times a day normally. They are not diarrea but are never solid eather. He wakes up a lot a night, He dosen't say his tummy hurts, but some times he is so grumpy for no reason and he acts like he is hurting.

My daughter, three months from 4, tells me she has to go often..but shes at that age were your not sure if she is saying so for attention, or just as her way of informing us. She is potty trained so I'm not in there with her to see what comes out. I just got my positive diagnosis...could this be related. What other symptoms whoud they be showing at this age? what should I do?

[taweavmo3]

If you have a positive test, I would definately get your kids checked also. I think 3+ stools a day for a baby is too many, and warrants further testing. I have a 3 year old celiac daughter, and I have two other children who have some symptoms, but not all the classic signs. My 18 month old has several stools a day also, and can't tolerate any dairy. He is growing and gaining weight though, so it's been a battle to get him tested. My 6 year old has a symmetrical rash on his knees, but I've been told it's either eczema or psoriasis. He also complains of tummy aches alot, and gets D every now and then. I also used to think he was doing it for attention, since dd gets atttention for her tummy aches. But, I take him seriously now, after I started noticing his frequent bathroom trips.

I don't think any two celiac kids are exactly alike in how they first present with symptoms. Some kids seem to decline rapidly (my dd), whereas some kids only exhibit a few of the hallmark symptoms, or just have slow growth w/out any gastro problems at all. Since you are positive, your children need to be routinely screened....whether they have one symptom, all of them, or none!

The sooner you can get them tested the better, especially your toddler. Developmental delays are a real possibility, and therapy is much more costly and time consuming than the diet will ever be. My dd is 18 months behind in all areas, and her speech is barely on the charts. This doesn't happen to all celiac kids thank goodness, but it is definately something to think about when contemplating testing or not.

Good luck to you, keep us posted!

[Merika]

Hi,

Kids over one year should be pooping once/day, IMO, same as adults. I know docs will say more or less often is "normal" - and yes in the sense that many people go more or less than once a day is typical - but IMO and in the opinion of other medical branches (ayurveda, for example) once a day is what *should* be happening with a healthy body.

I would get your kids tested, since it runs in your family, and also your parents and siblings. 1 in 10 first degree relatives will have celiac if you do Those are way high odds.

Just FYI, tests in kids under age 2 can have more false negatives than the rest of the population, so your son is just at this point....

Hth,

Merika

PS. I found out I had celiac about 9 months after my mom got her results...when she prodded me to have the test we think her mother had it too....

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Tough question.

Many of us "poop" several times a day. Celiacs have that type of digestive system for whatever reason. Its a judgement call, but from what I have seen on this board, 3-5 times a day is not that uncommon.

[Merika]

3-5 times a day is not that uncommon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But that's for *celiacs* who are still recovering. Folks whose digestive tracts are normal and without celiac damage should be pooping once a day.

Merika

[heatherh]

Thanks everyone. Once we get to our new location...can't wait. I'm going to get my kids tested. I hope they dont have it, but if they do I'll be glad to catch it so younge. How they will have to eat will be second nature to them. The chalange will be when their daddy gets home from iraq, and the changes hes going to have to make to acomadat me and posably the kids.

On another note, do celeaic kids take longer to potty train and are their any "tricks" I know it took for ever with my daughter, my son goes more often than she dose and I'm not looking forward to it but at a little over two he is growing out of size 6 diapers, so it has to happen soon.

Lastly, when we talk about "potbelly" looking how do I know what is just normal and what is bloting?

[taweavmo3]

In our experience, it has taken my daughter longer to potty train. Although, it might be a little different for us, b/c she is also a year behind developmentally. About 3-4 months ago, Emmie surprised us by declaring she was ready to wear panties! I didn't have to do anything at all, she just told us she was ready. I really believe you just have to wait it out.........if it's alot of work, then they aren't ready.

That's just me though. I really don't want to spend an entire day going back and forth to the potty, at the same times during the day, etc. Plus, if you are dealing with a kid who feels sick all the time, they aren't going to potty train. Once my daughter started feeling well again, she was ready. Although, that's not to say we still aren't having issues. I think celiac kids have a painful connection to going to the bathroom, so we are still dealing with pooing in the potty. She likes to wait until she has her nighttime diaper on, then she'll go. I don't think there's much I can do about it, until she's physically able to control her bladder at night, she'll have to wear a diaper. And if she's not ready to poop in the potty yet, I can't force it. Btw, she's 3 1/2, and I'm guessing it will be another year before she is completely trained.

Oh, and on the pot belly......Our pedi GI told us what to look for that indicated abnormal distention. Emmie's belly button was popping all the way out, and you could also see all the blood vessels on her tummy. The skin on her belly looked almost translucent. It wasn't hard to the touch though, like I assumed it would be. So there ya go, that's my long winded answer! Take care, hope your hubby is home soon safe and sound.