Potty Training - Soiling

[AliH]

My dd is almost 26mths, and from about 18mths has had bladder control. Three weeks ago, I decided to bite the bullet and go into knickers during the day.

She's doing brilliantly, and not having any wetting accidents, but still doesn't seem to have any notion the soiling her knickers is not the thing to do!

Each time it happens (usually once a day only, luckily), I explain that she should do it on the potty or toilet (she doesn't mind either), but she just says 'Mummy clean knickers' please.

Does this come with time, and does anyone have experience/advice to offer?

[EmmaM]

Yep, it took a while for our ds to get 'clean' too. He was in control of his bladder, but would poo in his pants regularly.

One day when he was on the toilet he started getting distressed because a poo was coming and he wanted to get off. I distracted him by making up some game about what we could see in the bathroom and he eventually couldn't hold on any longer. Once he had a successful poo in the loo we made a big fuss and he thought he was great. We had the occasional accident, but he became disgusted with the idea of pooing his pants and soon ended up doing it in the toilet or potty. In fact now, he hates dirty pants so much that even if there is so much of a hint of a 'skidder' (!) he has to change them!

Don't worry, your dd will get the hang of it - keep persevering with the encouragement that poos need to go in to the toilet too, use distraction to keep her on the toilet when you think she is going to poo and finally loads of praise when she does one successfully on the toilet or potty.

Another thought, empty the poo from the pants into the toilet and show her what you are doing. Tell her it would help mummy lots if she did a poo straight into the toilet instead of her knickers. Little kids like to please their parents so maybe if she thinks she is being helpful to you then she might think twice about where she does a poo in the future! Good luck!

[Crunchie]

AliH I am in the same situation. We are sometimes dry, but often have pooey pants - yuk! She knows that poos go in the potty, or the loo, but still won't do it, or tells me just too late. What really really irritates me is when after she has done one, I put her on the potty or loo while I clean up, and also incase there's some more. Often this will be for 10 mins or so, only for her to poo in her pants again, the minute I put a clean pair on. AGGGGHHHHHHH! Even when she does manage to poo in the potty, and we make a fuss, call granny, give her a present etc etc, she still does it in her pants the next day! So sorry AliH I can't office advice, only frustration!

[SueDonim]

Isn't it just the pits? My boys got the hang of both poos and wees at the same time but the girls were both later to train and took a while to manage the poo bit.

Have you tried getting them to clear up after themselves, including washing their own knickers? You have to have a strong stomach, and be prepared with lots of disinfectant, handwash etc but it can get the message across that it's not nice for them and not nice for you. Good luck, anyway!

[Hilary]

My son is doing the same thing but he is older. He is 3 y and 1 m and since he got wees sorted out at 2 y 10 m has only pooed in the right place about twice. He either does it in his pants and denies all knowledge (even when I have seen it!) or waits for his night time nappy. Please post all the ideas you have, I am running out of my own.

[Pupuce]

My 25 mo son is clean when naked... goes on the potty of his own will and does everything in it (then comes and tell me). The minute I put pants on, he will hold for quite a long time (6 hours) but then won't ask to go on the potty but do what ever and everything in them .................. it drives me crazy so we have reverted to pull ups (as they are easy to put on) as I want to give him a break - a lot of people have also told me that he was still quite young anyway.
I too don't know what to do but will probably wait another 1 or 2 months before we try again.