Imaginary poo

[Bumpatron]

My 2 year old daughter is getting in a real pickle about poo. We stopped the early stages of potty training with her because she got ill (bacterial throat infection poor sausage), but she's been going mad saying she needs changing and she's done a poo when she hasn't and it's just wind or her imagination. This is occuring so frequently that I'll literally just check her and she'll be saying it again. She gets so upset, tearful and almost hysterical and runs around screaming. I really don't know how to handle it. I've tried positive reinforcement, showing her her clean pull ups, lots of cuddles and reassurance but am at the end of my tether. Sometimes I think it's attention seeking (I have a 5 and a half month old who I'm breast feeding) but I don't know. She can't tell me what the problem is or why a poo is causing her so much upset. Any ideas anyone?
Thanks so much.

[RightUpMyRue]

Is she constipated?

[Rhubarbgarden]

Perhaps try potty training again? It could be she really liked the liberation of big girl pants, however briefly she experienced them, and doesn't like the idea of nappies keeping the poo in anymore?

[Bumpatron]

Maybe a little, poo is firmer than usual but still soft. She also did one in the bath tonight at the end of one of her 'episodes'.

[Bumpatron]

I've thought about it Rhubarbgarden, but was worried about restarting when she was poorly (on day of 7 of the antibiotics).

[Bumpatron]

She freaked out last week on a pants free day when she did one on the lounge carpet. I feel so badly for her.

[Bumpatron]

Day 3 of 7 I mean.

[Rhubarbgarden]

Sorry didn't realise you meant she's still poorly. Probably best to leave it a few days then. It sounds like you're doing the right thing with lots of reassurance etc.

You could try being really OTT positive about poos when they happen - "Look at that fantastic huge poo you've just done, isn't it marvellous?" etc etc. When I started potty training dd she freaked out a bit the first time she did a poo on the potty and after that started holding them in till she was in the bath (joy). Getting her super excited about the magnificence of her poos has conquered that and she's now really enthusiastic about doing them on the loo and waving goodbye to them when she flushes.

[Bumpatron]

That's lovely! I like the idea of waving them off. Will try, it's so hard not to get frustrated with her. I normally have endless patience but this is so relentless I'm really struggling.

[Iggly]

Dont potty train with a young baby. Leave it a couple more months.

[Rhubarbgarden]

You could also try reading her some poo books to take some of the fear away. 'Everybody Poos' is good, and I've seen 'Poo goes to Pooland' recommended on here. There are loads of them actually.

[Bumpatron]

A quick trip to Amazon and I'm the proud owner of 'Everybody poos'! Thanks for your help and patience.

[Rhubarbgarden]

Good luck!