Help! My Toddler Won't Poop On The Potty!

A question that I am asked on a regular basis is "Why won't my child poop on the potty?" Know that you are not alone if currently facing this common toilet training problem. As frustrating as it might be, steps can certainly be taken to overcome this stumbling block to diaper freedom.

More common in older potty training children (2.5 years and older), the "poop" issue can become a major power struggle between you and your toddler. The reasons for this apparent stubbornness can be caused by fear, medical problems, embarrassment, or standard toddler contrariness. Let's tackle each issue one by one.

Medical Problems:

First, a disclaimer: If you believe your child's unwillingness to poop on the potty is truly a medical issue, please consult with your pediatrician. There is a condition called encopresis which is caused from chronic constipation. Children experiencing encopresis have a problem with the bowel that dulls the normal senses about the urge to go. A more benign medical condition is basic constipation, in which the child fails to have a bowel movement over a couple of days. Usually an increase in dietary fiber or a mild stool softener will help to relieve the situation.

Fear:

Believe it or not, many children believe that poop is a part of their body. Imagine how reluctant you might be to use the toilet if you thought a body part might fall off each time! For other children, the fear comes from the actual sensation of air hitting their bottom, the "plop" that can be heard in the water below, or the sound of flushing. Other children have had a previous painful episode of constipation and they become afraid to experience it again.

Embarrassment:

I think many of us can confess to occasionally "making a stink" about our child's poop. We joke or tease about the smell, or the size, or the consistency of the poop. Some children, especially the "sensitive" ones, can become self-conscious about this bodily function. If you think this might be the reason for your child's problem, try to discuss poop in a very matter-of-fact manner. Make it clear to your child that pooping is a very normal and natural part of life. It might be helpful to read books to your child such as "Everyone Poops" by Taro Gomi.

Stubbornness:

For most parents reading this article, the "terrible twos (or threes, or fours)" might be the culprit in your potty problems. The key in convincing your child to use the toilet rather than their pants is to find a method to make the child finally decide that life is just easier and more sanitary if they use the toilet. Some parents are violently opposed to bribes or "punishment" but sometimes the basic concept of "you get as good as you give" is the magic answer. If your child cooperates, they get positive reinforcement. If they don't, negative reinforcement is dispensed. Allowing the child to decide if the positives outweigh the negatives will actually empower them and allow for increased independence. It's also temporary - believe me, you won't have to bribe your child to poop in the potty on the day of their high school graduation!

A Method to End the Madness:

Should you find yourself in the "stubbornness" category above, there is a step-by-step method available to finally convince your child that poop belongs in the potty. Many parents have found success with what I call the "The Potty Boot Camp Pooping Program." It is a cook-book style, no-nonsense, straightforward method which teaches your child that pooping has its rewards! It will walk you through what do with your child, the "secrets" of what to say to be the most convincing, and the steps to take should your child not want to cooperate. In no time at all, you'll be diaper and accident free forever. The Potty Boot Camp Pooping Program is available at http://www.thepottybootcamp.com.

Suzanne is an eye doctor turned "potty training expert" - a career move she certainly never anticipated! Fed up with diapers, Suzanne set out to toilet train her daughter before the age of two. Through trial and error, she developed a potty training method that has been incredibly successful for hundreds of parents.

http://www.ThePottyBootCamp.com

A Parents Guide to Toilet Training (Potty Training)

Toilet or potty training can be a frustrating time for parents and toddlers. My wife and I are getting to the end of toilet training with our son, but I wish we had prepared a bit earlier to make the process easier for all of us.

Most children learn to begin their bladder and later their bowels, between two to three years of age. Girls often before boys. Most parents, (well at least my wife and I!) only really start to think about toilet training when their child reaches around two.

But there's a lot of preparation that can be done before this age to make a child feel comfortable and acclimatized to the idea of going to the toilet before the experience begins.

Discuss with your child when they need to go to the toilet. "Are you doing a wee? Are you doing a poo?" Teach them through encouragement to tell you when they are emptying their bladders or moving their bowels.

Nappy time is ideal for these discussions. "You've done a poo. Soon you will go to the toilet to wee and poo like a big boy/girl." Talk about it weeks or months before putting them on the toilet.

• 
  Read stories and watch children's programs or DVD's about toilet training (such as Elmo's Potty Time)
  
  
  


• 
  Let them watch adults or older siblings when they go to the toilet and see that it is a natural and regular occurrence.
  
  
  


• 
  Let the flush the toilet
  
  
  


• 
  buy a special seat and foot stool for the toilet and sink so they feel safe and are able to easily wash their hands afterwards.
  
  
  

Around the the age of two your child should be well prepared and able to sit on the toilet at every nappy change. At first it's usually quite easy as they enjoy the thrill of being a big boy or girl. After the excitement wears off it can be hard to encourage them to sit.

Praise them for sitting on the toilet, regardless of their success. Give them a clap, a cheer a high five, stamp or sticker everytime they sit on the toilet, no matter how briefly. Then put them back in a nappy (reuse the same nappy if dry), then follow the toileting routine of using a small amount of paper, flushing the toilet and washing hands.

Praise them in front of others about how grown up they are for sitting on the toilet. They love that! Our son loved to show visitors how he could sit on the toilet all by himself.

To encourage success while they're on the toilet, they'll need to spend some time there at first. It's a good idea to keep a little basket of books in the bathroom so you can sit and read to them while they're sitting there. That first wee in the toilet is a big deal to parent and child!

Put them on the toilet at normal "go" times, such as after waking up, after meals, before a bath and before bed.

After sufficient preparation (weeks or months depending on the child), they will start to show signs of toilet readiness. Tugging at nappies, sometimes with words, stamping of feet etc. Now is the time for training pants.

To begin with take them to the toilet every hour. Don't give them the option by asking them, just tell them, "It's toilet time," and take them by the hand. Sooner or later most two year olds begin to object when they realise they have to stop playing for a little while to go to the toilet. At this time, don't let them leave the toilet until they've sat down and "performed". They know what to do by now. Encourage them by saying things like "As soon as you've weed we can go and draw, play with your favourite toy etc."

Be positive and praise small successes. Accidents happen. Don't scold them. Talk to them and say "Whoops, you peed on the floor. We pee in the toilet don't we? Next time we'll make it to the toilet." You can also encourage them to tell you when they need to go. After accidents complete the usual toilet routine - sit on the toilet, paper, flush and wash hands. If they don't go through the routine they'll soon see the advantages of peeing in their pants.

Once your child is in pants during the day, don't go back to nappies except for sleep periods. It is too confusing to children to work out when they're in a nappy and when they're in pants. After an accident, it's back into pants. Sorry!

Of course there are times when pants aren't convenient. Huggies "pull ups" are great for going out when toilet training. Don't use them like a nappy. But they offer peace of mind in case children don't make it to the toilet in time.

To limit accidents while out:

• take your child to the toilet before every outing
  


• take your child to the toilet between shops
  


• take a potty with you in the car for emergencies
  


• take spare clothes with you.

The hourly routine must still be maintained while you're out.

Most children will wet the bed at night long after they're dry during the day. Keep them in nappies at night and take them to the toilet as soon as they wake up.

Consistency between home and day care or other carers is very important. Remember to be positive and delight in your child's every success. Best of luck and I hope this guide will help you through this sometimes challenging process!

This article was compiled with the help of our local childcare centre - The Village Early Learning Centre.

Darren Johnson is a parent of a beautiful little boy, almost at the end of the toilet training phase. He also the co-owner of Little Pixie Gifts, an online gift service specialising in high quality baby gifts and Christmas Hampers, delivered Australia wide.