Encopresis may be defined as the voluntary or involuntary passage of formed, semiformed, or liquid stool into a place other than the toilet for more than one time per month in a child over four years of age1 for at least three months.
One study suggests that 60-66% of children have a history of passing a painful bowel movement before 36 months of age. Encopresis is a medical condition with a large number of underlying causes and treatment pathways.
Treatment for encopresis is similar to that recommended for constipation: emptying the large intestine, establishing regular bowel movements and keeping regular bowel movements. Regular toilet times are important.
Try to get your child into the habit of going to the toilet after breakfast and dinner, as our bowels tend to contract after we eat.