Pooping in the Potty...Same Old Question...

I have heard many suggestions on this, but here are mine. You can give her a treat for every time she goes. I have a prize box that my daughter picks from. Or, you can make her a chart with a picture of something she really wants and after she fills the chart up (I suggest 5 - 10 times), she can get that Cinderella movie or bike or whatever it is.

I also suggest using Miralax just during this stage. She may be constipated and scared to go, but Miralax will help soften it and make it easier on her. My daughter was on this stuff for over a year and have seen no side effects, so safe to use.

Good luck!

I am unfournatly going through kind of the same thing, my daughter is holding it, but she has pooped in the potty twice and she knows that is were she is suppose to go, but like I said she is still holding it or waiting til she is wearing a diaper. Personally I would not discipline. As frustrating as it is pooping in the potty is the most difficult part kids are used to doing it comfortably in the diaper whenever they need to and in the right position they need to do it. Right now I am giving my daughter apple juice to keep her going and not get constipated, kids normally will not go if it hurts, so give her fiber like crazy!! And just remind her that we don't want to make our panties yucky with poop! And ask through out the day where is she suppose to go poop and pee. Just reinforce it and encourage! She will get it just be patient. Good luck!

Odd that you say that as on a daytime talk show the star said her little boy just announced when he turns four he will poop in the pot, as he is three now, and won't go in the pot. I tried (when I thought it about time for them to need to go) setting them on their potty chair with a little book to look at, and sometimes they (accidently) went while looking at the book, and then I'd give a treat if they went poop in the pot. We'd be all excited. Your child acts scared if he holds it for two or three days, so maybe he had a hard bowl movement that hurt and now is scared. At this age I doubt spanking would help, if he were 6 that would be a different story, but I feel patience is what is needed now. My forth one had constipation, and went in his pants some, and I didn't disturb him if I noiteced him going I was so glad he was, and he wasn't doint it for aggrivation etc. or to defy. I'd notice him all of a sudden be over in a corner being real quite and sure enough that would be what was happening. I started trying to watch what he ate, and give him more water, and then a Dr. said colice drops helps put more water in their last intestines and they aren't constipated then, as it isn't a laxative. Hope some of this helps.

As crazy as this sounds, my daughter used to be one to hold in her poop as well. When she did finally go, the plumber had to be called. But the way that I got her to go is by (I know this sounds odd) sitting across from her and encouraging her to "squeeze". I made it sort of funny with the face and clenched fists, but she did get the hint. And from then on out when she had to go I could hear her saying squueeeeeeeeeeze. And then "Mommy I squeezed" cute and at the same time grandma gave me funny looks. But what else can you do? lol