If stool withholding continues without proper treatment other problems will develop that make matters even worse dr goldman says when a child doesnt poop for a while their stool collects and hardens with this backup in the rectum other softer or liquid stool can leak around it and stain their underwear. Stool withholding is most common in two to four year olds but it can also affect school age children it is often triggered by an episode of painful constipation the child then becomes so terrified of experiencing this pain again that they hold on to their poop for days even weeks at a time just to add to the misery stool withholding often causes children to soil their underwear. At last we have a book which focuses exclusively on stool withholding in children and how to overcome it inspired by the authors experience of this issue with her own son this easy to understand guide gives detailed advice on every aspect of stool withholding including soiling encopresis toilet training laxative medication and constipation. The goal here is to keep those stools soft and regular in the event that there is any hint of constipation or pain however if your child is not constipated and is poop withholding for other reasons mostly psychological even a healthy diet wont do the trick 5 when your toddler wont poop add a daily supplement. What to do when your child wont poo inspired by the authors experience of this issue with her own son this easy to understand guide gives detailed advice on every aspect of stool withholding including constipation toilet training laxative medication and soiling encopresis