My Potty-trained 3 Year Old Daugher Won't Poo Poo in the Toilet.

My daughter did it, all of my friends kids did it (regardless of gender, but all were 3 yrs old. There are two ways I've seen it dealt with: 1) Run out of diapers and don't get any more. If she poops in her pants, don't get mad, just come up with a consequence that will mean something to her -- can't go to the mall because you're afraid she'll have an accident so you have to leave her with a sitter...or can't read bed time stories because you don't have any time. Your story time was used up cleaning a poop mess.

2)Keep diapers or pull-ups on hand and simply let her choose where she wants to poop and don't make a big deal about it one way or the other. Don't say a word about it. If she can get them on and off by herself, keep the pull-ups where she can get to them and when she asks to go poop, say cheerily "ok! would you like me to help you potty or would you like to get a pull-up" But the more you fret over it the more she'll drag it out. Remaining emotionless is the key.

My little girl did that too (she's 8 now) and to be honest I just had to get tough with her one day and say no more diapers. She refused to go for about 2 days but then it got to the point that her poop was about to fall out of her body so she had to sit on the potty - never was a problem after that day. Her little body can't hold it in forever so time is on your side if you can stand to be a little tough :-)

Hi M.--

My daughter had a difficult time in the beginning pooping in the toilet. Our pediatrician recommended Milk of Magnesia over an actual laxative. You can put it in their yogurt or whatever kind of food their eating (obviously you'd not want to let them know you're doing anything to their food). I think pooping is a bit scary at first...and if it hurts then that makes it even worse. I wouldn't force the issue, however, I bet it'll work itself out in the next few weeks. Good luck--I know it's frustrating!
-R.

M.,
I just cannot believe a pediatrician would give people laxatives to give their children! "Making" someone poop is impossible and she will come to do it in her own time. Praise her like crazy if she even just sits on the potty. Reinforce her positively. Get a new toy for her if she poops on potty. Make a party out of it. Bring her favorite dvd in there with her. Do anything POSITIVE. Making it negative could cause her emotional issues with pottying for a long time!!!!! let it go gradually. She will get there. Some are ready earlier than others. Please try not to give her a laxative as a potty training tool. I have a son with autism and BELIEVE me I have been throught the potty training hell. And researched over and over. The best thing to do is be POSITIVE!!! SHe will get there.
Hope that helps.
L.

My story is totally exact the same as Glenda's. My oldest son was potty trained at 2,5 but asked for a diaper for poo poo. We never made a big deal of it for about a year. He was not constipated, so one day we also decided to get tough. He held it also for 2 days (boy, I was worried because all the books tell you it’s not the right approach) and than went potty. And after that everyday, like a switch was turned on.

Good luck.

I.

(I don’t think your daughter is constipated, she only asks for a diaper. So I would not give her laxatives)

Take away her pants. No underwear, no pants, nada til she gets the idea. My sister's 4 1/2 year old was still pulling this stunt this summer (always hiding to poop in his underwear). I told her the same thing... take away the kid's drawers! There's nothing to catch it! After once or twice of learning that warm comforting turd is not going to be in their pants to hold onto, they'll figure out it's a whole lot easier to put it in the toilet than let it hit their foot or have to come tell you that they pooped on the floor.

Good luck!
B. / mom of 2 who are (THANKFULLY) past that stage... now if the older one would just wipe thoroughly...