Withholding Behavior
Withholding behavior, bowel and/or bladder, happens when a child consciously or unconsciously is holding back bowel movements or the voiding of urine.
Over time this behavior can lead to more severe issues like chronic constipation and UTIs.
What causes it:
Withholding behavior in children is often caused by fear of pain from previous hard or painful bowel movements. Anxiety about using the toilet, unfamiliar environments, or loud flushing sounds can also contribute.
Some children withhold as a way to assert control, especially during times of stress or change. Over time, this behavior can lead to constipation and make the problem worse.
How PFPT can help:
Pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy helps with withholding by teaching your child how to relax the pelvic floor muscles and improve their awareness of body signals.
Your therapist will use gentle exercises, biofeedback, and play-based techniques to retrain healthy toileting habits. This approach reduces fear, improves muscle coordination, and helps break the cycle of withholding and constipation.
It also empowers your child and you as the parent with tools to support consistent, pain-free bathroom use.
How long does treatment take:
Treatment for withholding through pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, with weekly sessions. However, the exact duration depends on the child’s needs, how long the withholding has been happening, and how consistently home strategies are followed.
Some children show improvement within a few sessions, while others may need ongoing support over several months. Regular follow-up and practice at home help speed up progress.
Get To Know Our Pelvic Health Team...
Tristen Swengle
Nikki Randolph
Deena Winham
Testimonials
What Clients Are Saying
I have been coming to Vitality Pelvic Health for several weeks. I was looking for options to help strengthen my pelvic floor following an injury during childbirth and just aging in general. I am 44 years old, and my youngest child is 13, but Tristan explained that we are always in that postpartum phase. Tristan is extremely knowledgeable and so incredibly thorough! I’ve never met anyone who knows so much about pelvic dysfunction and ways to combat it. She’s created a strengthening program for me that I can continue to use long after my sessions are completed. I highly recommend her to any woman seeking help in this area. You will not regret it!
Dr. Nikki is truly amazing. I came to her a year and half after having my baby because I felt like something was off and that I was still not fully recovered. She gave me a whole toolbox of movements and practices to get myself back together and feel confident that my body could safely pick up my growing daughter. She figured out exactly what I needed to do, and gave me a realistic plan all while being so kind and patient. I could not recommend her more to any new moms or moms to be (or really anyone struggling with functional movement).
