Stool Withholding Help

19/08/2025

Check out the new Squiggy book on the ERIC UK website!

Is your child struggling to get their poo in the loo?

Squiggy the Poo on a mission in this fun and engaging new book!

Created by Developmental Psychologist Dr. Kate McGarry, this evidence-based storybook is designed to support children who feel anxious or unsure about using the toilet.

With playful language, calming techniques and a gentle dose of humour, Squiggy helps children understand what’s happening in their bodies and feel more in control when it’s time to poo. From glitter poos to toilet teamwork, this interactive story transforms toilet time into a positive and confidence-building experience.

Perfect for children who are reluctant to poo or finding toilet training tricky. Let the mission to the loo begin!

🛒Visit the ERIC shop to buy your copy - https://shop.eric.org.uk/products/squiggy-the-poo-on-a-mission

19/08/2025

🍎 Snack & Sit for Easier Poos 🍎

One of the simplest ways to support a child who struggles with poos is through routine. 🕒

👉 Offering a high soluble fibre snack (like apple slices with skin, oats, or raisins) at the same time each day, followed by water, helps soften stools and sets the stage for success.

💡 Here’s why it works:
✨ After eating, the gastro-colic reflex kicks in (this is your child’s body’s natural signal that it’s time to move food (and poo!) through the digestive system.)
✨ Pairing this snack with a predictable toilet sit 20–30 minutes later takes advantage of that reflex.
✨ Keeping mealtimes and snack times consistent helps your child’s body fall into a regular, predictable poo routine.

🌟 Over time, this rhythm builds comfort, confidence, and consistency.

03/08/2025

Potty training can be such a struggle for little ones who feel anxious or stuck when it comes to pooing. That’s why I created Squiggy the Poo, an interactive story designed to help children feel more confident and in control when using the toilet.

This 5-star review captures exactly what I hoped this book would do. Confidence, routine and progress—without the tears.

You can find Squiggy the Poo on Amazon, Waterstones online, Eric’s shop or by tapping the link in my bio.

🧻

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