5 Year Old Pooping 4-5 times/day

Anonymous
I will be calling the pediatrician tomorrow, but wanted to hear if others have experienced this with their child. My DC has been pooping 4-5 times a day for the last few days. His normal frequency is once a day. It's not diarrhea, but they are fairly soft. Sometimes it's a lot, sometimes just a little. His stomach hurts on some occasions, but not everytime.

I hope this just goes away, but I also wonder if he's started to become sensitive to something in his diet.
Anonymous
Once a week to three times per day is supposedly normal. If he’s going on a week of 4-5 times, and it’s soft, sometimes accompanied by pain (straining, cramping or both?), you should probably also consider increasing soluble fiber to firm it up/slow him down a bit. It may be a minor illness, a sensitivity, or something more concerning. Good luck op.
Anonymous
Yes, it’s a sign that something is off. Has his diet changed recently? Dates cause my kid to poop frequently after eating them.
Anonymous
Lactose intolerance? It's much more common than people think.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s a sign that something is off. Has his diet changed recently? Dates cause my kid to poop frequently after eating them.


No, I can't think of any changes in his diet or any new foods that he's tried......
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Lactose intolerance? It's much more common than people think.


I guess that's a possibility. It can just develop suddenly? I'm waiting for a call back from the pediatrician. We'll see what they say.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Lactose intolerance? It's much more common than people think.


I guess that's a possibility. It can just develop suddenly? I'm waiting for a call back from the pediatrician. We'll see what they say.


I was 18 when it developed very suddenly.

Also consider other diet changes, especially at this time of year eg. Sugar alcohols, extra fruit, etc.
Anonymous
A few days? I wouldn't freak out. I'd consider it's probably a virus. If it starts to happen routinely, then you can look at causes. But honestly, I'd bet money he has a virus and should be better soon.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Once a week to three times per day is supposedly normal. If he’s going on a week of 4-5 times, and it’s soft, sometimes accompanied by pain (straining, cramping or both?), you should probably also consider increasing soluble fiber to firm it up/slow him down a bit. It may be a minor illness, a sensitivity, or something more concerning. Good luck op.


Er, once a week is nothing even resembling okay. No decent health professional would ever claim that. If your doctor told you that, it’s time for a new doctor!
Anonymous
There is a stomach bug going around that is exactly this ... frequent stools, between watery to loose, some stomach cramping.

One of my 5 year olds had a more intense version ... felt really badly, lots of cramping, explosive poos several times a day. The other (her twin), had a milder version that sounds just like your son. Kids in class also had stomach issues.

If it lasts past 7 days, I'd look into diet. Right now, I think you're looking for a zebra upon hearing horse hooves.
Anonymous
yup, just get rid of milk for a while because milk + stomach virus isn't helpful.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:There is a stomach bug going around that is exactly this ... frequent stools, between watery to loose, some stomach cramping.

One of my 5 year olds had a more intense version ... felt really badly, lots of cramping, explosive poos several times a day. The other (her twin), had a milder version that sounds just like your son. Kids in class also had stomach issues.

If it lasts past 7 days, I'd look into diet. Right now, I think you're looking for a zebra upon hearing horse hooves.


I'm glad you posted this. My son has been complaining of an upset stomach for a couple days, but really hasn't had any other symptoms besides a few episodes of loose stools. No fever, no puking.

How long did this last for your kids?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is a stomach bug going around that is exactly this ... frequent stools, between watery to loose, some stomach cramping.

One of my 5 year olds had a more intense version ... felt really badly, lots of cramping, explosive poos several times a day. The other (her twin), had a milder version that sounds just like your son. Kids in class also had stomach issues.

If it lasts past 7 days, I'd look into diet. Right now, I think you're looking for a zebra upon hearing horse hooves.


I'm glad you posted this. My son has been complaining of an upset stomach for a couple days, but really hasn't had any other symptoms besides a few episodes of loose stools. No fever, no puking.

How long did this last for your kids?


Longer than I would have expected, given that previous stomach viruses have tended to hit with fury but be short lived. I'd say my daughter with the milder version fussed for 4 days and my daughter with the more intense version really wasn't back to herself for a full week (the last couple days weren't the crazy poops but still not wanting to eat much).
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