Stool Retention

What Is Stool Retention?

Stool retention happens when a child avoids or delays having a bowel movement, causing stool to build up in the rectum. 

With early recognition, healthy routines and gentle support, most children improve. 

What Causes Stool Retention? 

Stool retention — when it is not caused by injury, infection, or anatomic abnormality — usually occurs in toilet-trained children for a combination of reasons, some environmental and some behavioral. Common contributors include:

• Eating a high-fat, high-sugar, “junk-food” diet
• Drinking mostly soft drinks or other sugared beverages
• Lack of exercise
• Reluctance to use public bathrooms
• Stress at home, with friends, or at school
• Being “too busy” playing to stop and use the bathroom
• Changes in routine (for example, fewer bathroom breaks at school)

What Difficulties Are Associated with Stool Retention in Children?

The challenges can reinforce each other and create a vicious cycle—the longer a child holds stool, the larger and harder it becomes, which can make bowel movements uncomfortable and increase avoidance.

If stool continues to build up, it can lead to constipation and, over time, a condition called encopresis — when watery stool leaks around backed-up stool.

How Parents Can Help Prevent Stool Retention

By building healthy bowel habits and addressing issues early, you can help your child avoid stool retention and stay comfortable.

Encourage Fluids

Make sure your child drinks enough water so their urine stays a light yellow color. Hydration helps soften stool and makes bowel movements easier.

Create Daily Toilet Time

Routine matters. Encourage your child to sit on the toilet at the same time each day, ideally after meals when the body naturally wants to pass stool.

Keep it calm and consistent — praise their effort rather than focusing on results.

Focus on Soluble Fiber

Fiber helps regulate bowel movements, but not all fiber works the same way.

• Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool.
• Soluble fiber absorbs fluid and keeps stool soft.

Too much insoluble fiber without enough fluid can make stool harder to pass. Aim to include plenty of soluble-fiber-rich foods each day.

Foods High in Soluble Fiber:

• Oat bran and rolled oats (oatmeal, Oatmeal Squares, Cracklin’ Oat Bran)
• Prunes and other dried fruits (apricots, cranberries, blueberries, etc.)
• Mango, pears, plums, apples (with skin)
• Avocado (as guacamole or on toast)
• Broccoli, carrots, snow peas
• Lentils, beans, chickpeas (try roasted chickpeas as a snack)
• Peanut butter with ground flaxseed
• Ground flaxseed or chia seeds (add to cereal, smoothies or casseroles)
• Green smoothies made with spinach or kale