what is it called when a kid refuses to poop for a few days at a time?

It may mean that they are constapated. Or it may mean they may not have to use the restroom.

It may mean that they are constapated. Or it may mean they may not have to use the restroom.

Constipation. Try a bit of prune juice, laxatives are not safe for little ones.

refuses, just keeps saying i don’t want to go and holds it for a few days. goes when he can’t hold it anymore.

And if he they ARE just holding it in, prune juice will make it quite hard for them to hold it in.

It’s just called “stubborn”

Apples or apple juice is a natural, gentle laxitive. Safe for kids and they usually like apples so it shouldn’t be too hard to get them to eat them. It doesn’t hurt anything if it’s just a couple of days without a bowel movement. Not everbody goes every day. I wouldn’t worry unless it has been more than 3 days.

I’m not sure how to fix it, but please go to a doctor and ask them. I was like that as a child and now can’t “go” without some sort of laxative (such as prune juice), and it’s awful. Get that sorted out ASAP!

I had this happen with my 4 year old cousin but instead she would refuse to pee and she would end up wetting herself because she could no longer hold it. All that I really had to do was have a long talk with her that holding it was not good for her and helping her understand that its ok if you have to go no one is going to get mad if you have to go suddenly. And helping her understand that if she has to go she needs to go. It could also be a medical issue. Maybe it hurts to go? If all else fails he/she should be taken to the doctor to further explore the issue.

which hazel makes a childs formula that works very well, if you need instant help they make suppositories for children depending on the age.