Stool Withholding Help

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Stool Withholding Help

🌟 Dr Kate McGarry 🧠 Developmental Psychologist 📖 Check out my book for support and guidance ⬇️

24/07/2025

🚨 Exciting news!
Squiggy the Poo: On a Mission is coming soon to ERIC’s online shop 🎉

I’m so proud that this next instalment in the much-loved Squiggy series will be available through an incredible organisation that supports families dealing with bowel and bladder issues. When you buy from ERIC, you’re not just getting a powerful toileting tool — you’re helping a charity that makes a real difference every day.

This interactive book invites your child to take on a mission with Squiggy to help get poo in the loo, complete with glitter poos, bum squeezes, and clever psychological techniques to overcome toileting challenges in a playful, empowering way.

💩✨ Let the mission begin!

22/07/2025

💩 Confused about which laxative your child needs?
Not all laxatives work the same way — and knowing the difference can be the key to helping your child poo without pain or fear.
In this post, I break down the 4️⃣ main types of laxatives:
🔹 Osmotic (Macrogols like Movicol & Laxido)
🔹 Osmotic (Lactulose – works differently!)
🔹 Stimulant (Senna, sodium picosulfate)
🔹 Lubricant (Liquid paraffin, arachis oil)
💡 Learn how each one works in the body, how they affect the bowel, and when they’re most helpful for stool withholding and constipation.
👶 Many children need more than one type — especially if they’re withholding, not just constipated.
📌 Always consult your GP before making changes to your child’s laxatives.
👉 Swipe through to feel more confident navigating your options!

21/07/2025

🚽 Let Your Child Watch You Use the Toilet? YES — and Here’s Why ⬇️
For children who are anxious about poo or nervous to move from nappies/potties to the toilet, watching you can really help 💩
Here’s why it works 👇
👀 It makes the toilet feel familiar – seeing you sit, flush and wash hands helps your child know what to expect
🧠 It builds a mental model – children learn by watching, and copying feels much easier than guessing
💬 It creates natural chances to talk about poo – and gently bust any fears or myths
🫂 It reassures them that pooing is safe and normal – especially if they’re afraid it will hurt
🧸 It encourages playful imitation – many kids want to “be like mummy or daddy” 💛
➡️ Letting your child observe you can be one of the easiest ways to support toilet confidence, especially for kids who withhold poos
✨ It’s free. Simple. And powerful.
—

18/07/2025

💬 “I’m scared to poo on the potty.”
If your child struggles with sitting on the toilet or fears pooing, try this gentle and playful strategy: The Worry Whisper.
Let them choose a special toy to whisper their worries to, a safe way to help them express their fear, without pressure.
This builds trust, connection and starts the path to overcoming toileting challenges.

🧸✨ In the carousel, I show you how to use it with real examples for poo and potty related fears.

📚 Find more support via my Squiggy books and practical guide in my bio.

16/07/2025

I’m taking a short break so consultations will be paused until mid August while I’m on leave. 💛 But don’t worry, there’ll still be plenty of helpful content popping up here, especially around stool withholding, so keep an eye on my posts for support while I’m away.

You can still access my Squiggy books and practical guide for stool withholding any time—they’re full of strategies and tips to help you support your child. 📘✨

I’ll also be announcing the winners of my Squiggy the Poo: On a Mission competition very soon, so stay tuned! 🎉

14/07/2025

This little poo book has truly transformed lives and I’m still blown away by the messages I receive from families like this one 💛
⠀
“Back to pooping anywhere — school, home, out and about — ANYWHERE!” 🧻💩
⠀
Squiggy the Poo was created to help children who struggle with poo anxiety or withholding, using gentle psychology, story, and play.
⠀
If your child is avoiding the toilet, refusing to poo, or struggling with constipation anxiety — you are not alone, and there is help.
⠀
You can grab your copy now on Amazon, Waterstones, or through the ERIC website. Tap the link in my bio for more 💫
⠀

07/07/2025

💩 Struggling with stool withholding? This post shares ✅ what to do and ❌ what not to do when your child is holding in their poo.
🧠 Stool withholding is often caused by fear of pain, needing to feel in control or anxieties around the whole toileting process. These gentle tips support both the body and the brain.

✨ Think: 🕒 Calm routines 💬 Encouraging language 🚫 Less pressure 🎲 More play
📌 Save this for later 

03/07/2025

🚽✨ TOTAL GAME CHANGER ✨🚽

I wrote Squiggy the Poo to help children who struggle with poos and the results speak for themselves.

One mum shared that after just one read, her daughter who had been holding in her poos for nearly a year started engaging with doing poos💩💪! It’s stories like these that remind me why I created this book in the first place.

Squiggy the Poo is an interactive, psychologist designed story that helps children overcome toilet anxiety in a fun, empowering way.

Find it now on:
📚 Amazon
🌐 Eric’s website
🔗 Or tap the link in my bio

02/07/2025

🚽💩 POO RACES! 💩🚽 Struggling with your child holding in their poo or refusing to use the toilet? Try this silly but smart game to turn toilet time into something they actually look forward to!
⭐ Use edible cake toppers (stars, animals, cars or their fave characters) 👧 Let your child race their topper against their poo 🌀 Flush and cheer for the winner!

This fun toilet game supports children who struggle with stool withholding, constipation or toilet anxiety by adding play, predictability and positive outcomes to a tricky moment.

✅ Perfect for potty training ✅ Great for nervous poopers ✅ Works even if they’re still in nappies

🎯 Save this for later
 💬 Tell me who won your race!

01/07/2025

💩 TEDDY WON’T POO! 💩
Got a child who’s scared to poo, holds it in, or avoids the toilet altogether?
This game gives them the chance to be the helper — and it works magic.✨

🧸 Their toy has a full tummy, a sore bum, or a case of the wiggles.
🧠 Your child problem-solves how to help:
🚽 Take Teddy to the loo
💨 Teach him belly breathing
🦵 Show him bum squeezes
💬 Talk him through it

Why it works: It’s empowering. It externalises the problem. And it’s play — not pressure.

Save this one for your toolkit and tag a parent who needs it 💛
Follow for more child-led, practical strategies.

27/06/2025

Struggling to get your child to sit on the potty or try for a poo?

Try the Froggy Lily Pad Game 🐸
This simple activity uses movement to get the bowels going — and makes getting to the toilet way more fun.

Perfect for anxious or resistant kids who need a little nudge without pressure.

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