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The Ins and Outs of Poop: A Guide to Treating Childhood Constipation
ENCOPRESIS? STOOL WITHHOLDING? POOP ACCIDENTS? This book is the revised and expanded 2nd edition of The Ins and Outs of A Guide to Treating Childhood Constipation. It is a how-to book for parents and a treatment guide for pediatric healthcare specialists. This edition contains all of the information contained in the first edition plus new and updated information on important topics related to prevention, early diagnosis and the treatment of functional constipation. These topics functional constipation in the first 24 months of life, how toilet training can cause encopresis, how to manage encopresis in the classroom and how temperament-related behavior problems can cause functional constipation. It also includes a self-study Parent-Child Interaction Training (PCIT) course which teaches parents how to “treat” such behavioral problems. Functional constipation (encopresis) is an increasingly common condition that can cause children aged 6 months and older to withhold stool following a painful bowel movement. Occasional or mild constipation is very common in children. However, more than 20% of children who have occasional constipation go on to develop a more severe type of constipation known as functional constipation or encopresis. Functional constipation occurs when children do not sense the need to defecate. Some of these children accidentally soil in their underwear, which causes them embarrassment. Functional constipation is not a disease but it does cause serious physical and emotional problems which can be prevented by knowing what to do when a child develops occasional constipation. Because functional constipation can persist for months or years, treatment can be stressful for everyone involved, including healthcare providers. To treat functional constipation, parents and providers work together as a treatment team over an extended period of time to manage and resolve the problem. There are six steps required to effectively treat functional 1. Educate the family 2. Empty the rectum 3. End withholding 4. Shrink the rectum 5. Withdraw laxatives 6. Remain vigilant. Each step is explained in detail along with the tools needed for successful implementation, such as forms for data collection and instruction in the use of laxatives and incentives. There are many stories written by parents describing specific aspects of their child's treatment. The book is written in a light-hearted fashion and uses cartoon-like illustrations to highlight key points. It emphasizes the very good news that with comprehensive care, functional constipation can be dramatically improved.
- GenresParentingNonfiction
206 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2012
67 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Thomas DuHamel
2 booksDr. Thomas R. DuHamel, PhD is a clinical child psychologist who has successfully collaborated with parents and pediatric health care providers about functional constipation for over 30 years.
Dr. DuHamel is currently in private practice with the Associates in Behavior and Child Development, ABCD Inc, in Seattle, Washington. He is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. DuHamel graduated from Brown University and earned his doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He completed a post doctoral residency in the Department of Medical Psychology at the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland and was formerly Chief Psychologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Dr. DuHamel is married with two children and a very precious granddaughter.
Dr. DuHamel is currently in private practice with the Associates in Behavior and Child Development, ABCD Inc, in Seattle, Washington. He is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. DuHamel graduated from Brown University and earned his doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He completed a post doctoral residency in the Department of Medical Psychology at the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland and was formerly Chief Psychologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Dr. DuHamel is married with two children and a very precious granddaughter.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 7, 2014
I cannot believe that I am reading this. Ugh Nicholas!!!
June 9, 2019
As a result of a painful bowel movement after a bout of constipation, we had been seriously struggling with our 3yr old son REFUSING to poop. As a parent, it has been the most difficult struggle to see our son in pain, know the solution, and have him scream and yell while he tried to avoid giving in. I didn’t realize that something that should be just a normal human function could be such an ordeal. After months of struggling, doctor visits and laxatives, he was still going 5-7 days between bowel movements. When he finally realized he could no longer hold it, it would take hours to convince him to just TRY to poop. I was emotionally defeated. We could hardly even go to dinner without him screaming that his stomach hurt. I was constantly looking online for ideas and solutions and I tried everything from blowing bubbles, holding his hand, making him earn screen time by sitting on the potty. Nothing worked. He seemed traumatized and we couldn’t even pin point an instance that caused it.
Finally I stumbled across this book that let me know I was not alone and that this could get very serious if I didn’t try harder and move quickly. After reading the whole book, and armed with my new knowledge, I used a modified version of one of the charts and it worked on the very first night. I almost cried I was so relieved. He had gone so long without intending to poop (it normally came out against his will) that he had forgotten how to push. The chart helped me keep him calm and teach him how to be in control. It’s only been a few days but he’s gone twice now with no crying and no anxiety. I truly could not be more grateful and he is so proud of himself. If you are a parent struggling with toddler constipation or withholding, read this book!
Finally I stumbled across this book that let me know I was not alone and that this could get very serious if I didn’t try harder and move quickly. After reading the whole book, and armed with my new knowledge, I used a modified version of one of the charts and it worked on the very first night. I almost cried I was so relieved. He had gone so long without intending to poop (it normally came out against his will) that he had forgotten how to push. The chart helped me keep him calm and teach him how to be in control. It’s only been a few days but he’s gone twice now with no crying and no anxiety. I truly could not be more grateful and he is so proud of himself. If you are a parent struggling with toddler constipation or withholding, read this book!
December 2, 2025
Super insightful and practical
This book is an indispensable guide for any parent dealing with functional constipation in their child. It doesn't just scratch the surface; it thoroughly dissects every aspect of the condition, offering a truly comprehensive understanding.
One of its greatest strengths is how it demystifies highly confusing topics, particularly the safe and effective use of laxatives in children but with appropriate tesevations. The author provides clear, evidence-based insights that help alleviate common parental anxieties.
Furthermore, it offers practical, actionable advice, clearly outlining the do's and don'ts for managing the condition at home. This guidance was a game-changer for me, completely transforming my approach, especially regarding potty training. It shifted my focus from punitive methods to one of support and successful management.
I highly recommend this book—it's an essential resource that empowers parents and offers a path to long-term relief for their children.
This book is an indispensable guide for any parent dealing with functional constipation in their child. It doesn't just scratch the surface; it thoroughly dissects every aspect of the condition, offering a truly comprehensive understanding.
One of its greatest strengths is how it demystifies highly confusing topics, particularly the safe and effective use of laxatives in children but with appropriate tesevations. The author provides clear, evidence-based insights that help alleviate common parental anxieties.
Furthermore, it offers practical, actionable advice, clearly outlining the do's and don'ts for managing the condition at home. This guidance was a game-changer for me, completely transforming my approach, especially regarding potty training. It shifted my focus from punitive methods to one of support and successful management.
I highly recommend this book—it's an essential resource that empowers parents and offers a path to long-term relief for their children.
June 9, 2017
Laugh if you want at the title, but my kid is fully potty trained now.
This book went a long way to explaining what was going on with him. In the end, I don't think he had the excessive constipation that was described in this book, but I certainly was able to calm down and understand what he was going through better after reading this.
What really did it for us was the "Softy the Poop" book that goes along with this one - as soon as we started reading that regularly, he started going poop in the potty every time. I never would have guessed that would happen!
This book went a long way to explaining what was going on with him. In the end, I don't think he had the excessive constipation that was described in this book, but I certainly was able to calm down and understand what he was going through better after reading this.
What really did it for us was the "Softy the Poop" book that goes along with this one - as soon as we started reading that regularly, he started going poop in the potty every time. I never would have guessed that would happen!
May 20, 2019
Helpful Guide for Hard condition
This is turning out to be a very helpful guide for something not talked much about and where many doctors don’t know how to correctly guide parents to help their kids.
This is turning out to be a very helpful guide for something not talked much about and where many doctors don’t know how to correctly guide parents to help their kids.
February 15, 2019
Great information book if your child has any indication of pooping problems
November 11, 2019
Informative read. Giving concise instructions.
Useful read when things seem hopeless. This helped us move through a difficult family issue. Easy to follow and helpful.
Useful read when things seem hopeless. This helped us move through a difficult family issue. Easy to follow and helpful.
September 30, 2020
It's a book about your kid's poop. It tells you what you need to know and how to help keep it moving.
December 28, 2020
This is where my life is at! 2020 is the year that keeps on giving!
March 8, 2022
The things we read for love! 🤣
December 30, 2012
Highly recommend for parents with kids with occasional and/or long term constipation. Learned a lot really quickly to help our 3 year old who has been constipated on and off for a few months. It's an easy read, with clear steps on how to help a child not only physically but also psychologically and emotionally which I appreciated (she often doesn't want to poop because she says "it will hurt"). Loved the educational drawings/cartoons, stories by real parents, and the helpful charts and forms at the end.
September 16, 2014
I wish there was more on preventing the issue but then it is a book about treatment not prevention.
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December 12, 2016Sigh, yes. This is my life right now. #parenthood
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews