The journey to mastering toileting can present unique challenges. I know as I have worked with children for 39 years and have witnessed these unique toileting issues.
Recently, I met a new family with a 4 yr old boy during a toileting consultation whose struggles shed light on the importance of addressing gross motor skills when looking at toileting.
This little one, missed out on crawling altogether and started walking much later than his peers, he is now facing difficulties with wanting to sit on the potty or toilet and withholding his poo.
I found this out from my in-depth questionnaire and by talking with both parents. Part of my assessment.
As I delved into the toileting consultation, it became evident that the lack of crawling, delayed walking and struggles with jumping may be having a direct impact on his core stability.
The resistance to sitting on the potty highlighted the need for play and working on his gross motor skills, pelvic floor muscles, balance, and midline crossing.
It was time to include play to transform his toileting experience.
Something I include in all my consultations- play as a tool to start and engage a child in a non-frightening way.
Enter the unexpected hero – the classic childhood game of "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." Beyond its entertainment value, this activity offers significant benefits for toileting struggles.
When the child jumps, the entire body, including the bowels, experience loads of movement. This action engages the core, promoting stability and paving the way for a more comfortable potty routine.
Incorporating games like "5 Little Monkeys" into the child's daily routine became a key component of my toileting plan.
This, coupled with targeted exercises for pelvic floor muscles, activities enhancing balance, and midline crossing exercises, aimed to address his toileting challenges.
The goal was not just to make toileting easier but to make it an enjoyable and empowering experience for the child.
We covered lots of other areas in my consultation such as
🚽 Diet
🚽 Sensory
🚽 Physical such as constipation.
In children that have constipation, the Pelvic Floor Muscles are often uncoordinated—the child may be squeezing these muscles instead of relaxing them when trying to poo.
🚽 Emotional
🚽 Anxiety
🚽 Temperament
🚽 Medical problems
🚽 Family dynamics
🚽 Sleep
As all these factors can affect toileting.
If your child is navigating toileting and is struggling book a free consultation with me to discuss personalized strategies and interventions tailored to your child's unique needs.
Together, let's unlock the path to a more comfortable and successful toileting journey for your little one.
Don't let the challenges linger—the older a child gets the more challenging toileting can be.