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Observing postprandial bowel movements in diaper-dependent toddlers

Tinne Van Aggelpoel1,2, Stefan De Wachter1,2, Hedwig Neels1,2

  • 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University, Antwerpen, Belgium.

Journal of Child Health Care : for Professionals Working with Children in the Hospital and Community
|October 22, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The gastrocolic reflex, a bowel response to stomach food, aids potty training. Utilizing this reflex 15-30 minutes post-meal can help toddlers establish regular bowel movements on the potty.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The gastrocolic reflex is a physiological response where food in the stomach stimulates colon activity.
  • Understanding this reflex in young children is crucial for addressing bowel regulation and toilet training challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To observe and quantify bowel movement patterns in healthy, non-toilet-trained toddlers following a meal.
  • To assess the potential of the gastrocolic reflex as a tool to facilitate successful potty training.

Main Methods:

  • Monitoring stool behavior in 40 toddlers aged 18-27 months.
  • Recording the timing of bowel movements in relation to meal consumption.
  • Analyzing defecation frequency and timing across different times of day.

Main Results:

  • 75% of toddlers had a bowel movement within one hour after a meal.
  • Defecation occurred 15, 30, or 60 minutes post-meal in 25%, 48%, and 66% of observations, respectively.
  • 37% of defecations happened within 15 minutes and 72% within 30 minutes after eating.

Conclusions:

  • The gastrocolic reflex is a significant factor in toddler bowel movements post-meal.
  • Leveraging the gastrocolic reflex 15-30 minutes after meals can aid in potty training success.
  • Utilizing this reflex may make it easier for 50% of children to learn to defecate on the potty.

Keywords:
Constipationfaecal incontinencefaecesgastrocolic responseinfanttoilet training

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