Natalie has had what appear to be hard and large stools in the last week. (She's recently potty trained.) She's had a couple of days here and there where she hasn't had a bowel movement, which is unusual for her. When she does have them, she's having one a day, which is also unusual for her. I've noticed when I have wiped her little bottom that there is a slightly bloody tinge on the TP. Slight, but definitely visible and no doubt it's blood. I'm sure it's from the large stools she has passed in the last 4 days. It's there each time we have wiped her.

I've looked at her bottom and do not "see" hemorroids. It also doesn't seem as if she pushes very long before the stool passes. They are just large. We've added some juice yesterday and today, but really I don't think anything else in her diet has changed.
Should I be concerned?

By Kaye on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 05:39 pm:

I wouldn't be concerned yet. In general when your stool is large and hard it does break small vessels as it passes through. As long as she is going daily or mostly daily, not struggling, not unusually fussy, then I would wait and see a while. Part of potty training is controling all those voluntary sphinters. It takes some time and practice to get it all right. And she may be holding it in a little because of that.

In general if you are wiping small amounts of pink to red blood there isn't an issue.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 07:25 pm:

Get some Tucks Hemorrhoidal Ointment. It used to be called Anusol. Make sure it's the one without the hydrocortisone cream. It should have Mineral Oil, Praxomine HCL and Zinc Oxide. I was specific because there are two types and the packaging is similar.

She may have an anal fissure which is a tear. The Tucks will help it heal before it becomes a problem.

My son's gastro recommended it when he was having issues.

Ame

By Dana on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 07:25 pm:

I would keep up w/ the fresh fruits and veggies..and juices too. Get plenty of water also. You dont want her to stop trying due to pain.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 08:48 pm:

She was eating at least one apple a day (sometimes two), but has stopped that in the couple of weeks. Her fruit intake HAS been down, so I will keep pushing them. She always drinks a ton of water, too. Dana- That was my fear...not pooping due to pain. She does say "My bottom hurts" but then goes anyway. Her saying that is like my cue that she has to go. It doesn't seem to be a problem of her not wanting to go yet, so I'm trying to prevent!

She had 2 bowel movements today and they both had blood-tinged wipes. I will keep watching it,a nd try to up the fruits and veggies.
Thanks everyone!

By Tripletmom on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 09:06 pm:

I give Katie dried fruit, she really likes the apricots.They taste good and they are high in fibre.That usually does the trick within a day.Ditto up above,she's learning to control and holding it longer will make it larger.You can always call you're pharmacy and ask a Pharmacist what they'd recommend.I usually get great advice and its nice that I can talk to them anytime of the day.Hope you get some normalacy(sp.)back soon.((HUGS))

By Amecmom on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 10:39 pm:

If she says her bottom hurts then there's your answer. Just softening the stool is not going to help protect or heal a tear. Call her doc and see what the doc says. As I posted, the above is what my son's gastro recommended when he was about 4 months old. It may make a huge difference. You don't want her to get stuck in a cycle of witholding.
good luck

Ame

By Kiki on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 02:26 am:

Isn't it common though with potty training for kids to go through this? I would not use regular toilet paper with her. Try using flushable wipes. They are easier on the bottom.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 01:02 pm:

Thank you ladies.
Ame, I know what you mean. That's what I'm concerned about, too. There was no blood today, but the stools were also softer. When she first started potty training and would say "My bottom hurts", then "go potty", I took that as she was feeling the pressure of having to go. Everytime she would say that, she would poop, so I just took it that way. Now that I'm seeing a little bit of blood, I'm wondering.

Kiki- I think you recommended the flushables and they are great! We use them, but I try to use just TP first unless I need to use the wipes. I was using them exclusively, and her whole vaginal and bottom area got red and she complained of it hurting. I stopped using the wipes and the redness went away. I'm using the Pampers Kandoo's (always used Pampers baby wipes before), but for some reason it seems they irritate her. Now I'm just using them when TP isn't cleaning her well and ONLY on her bottom now.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts about this. I'm going to keep watching her. She has a 2yr. check-up soon, so if nothing else, I will let the ped know then.