3 year old keeps doing a no2 in his underwear

[DettolObsessed]

He is potty trained for a few months now and has no issues using it when he needs to go for a wee. He was doing absolutely fine when he wants to go for a poo, but one time he became constipated for a couple of days and when he went to have a poo, it was painful for him (his eyes teared up). He was screaming when I told him to sit on the potty as I knew he needed it.

Since then, he just goes for a poo in his underwear and not in the potty. He only uses it to wee in. I keep on reminding him to go on the potty when he needs a poo but he doesn't. I get no warning that he is going for a no2, he just does it and then he says "I done a poo poo mummy" and immediately I know he has done it in his pants.

Any ideas what I can do about this? I know it isn't his fault bless him but it's getting a bit too much, especially as he goes 2-3x a day and in public I have to quickly find somewhere discreet to sort him out! I continuously remind him to please go on the potty but it obviously he doesn't really understand/take it in.

Help!

[Beamur]

Do you think the constipation frightened him?
I think you just need to keep gently reminding him, but maybe some incentives too?
My DD was a complete potty refuser for poos and was massively resistant. I promised her a scooter if she started using the potty instead...it did work, eventually.
You might want to start with a chart or maybe something like a jar with marbles in and he gets a reward for every 10 marbles maybe? You can make a big fuss about putting the marble in etc.

[MinnieMouseMaze]

I think you need to go back to basics. Clearly the painful experience was the trigger for going a bit backwards here so if it were me I'd try very hard to stay 'normal' and keep repeating that poo poo goes in the potty etc whilst you are sorting him out. I'd also go back to the start in watching him with pants off at obvious times like first thing in the morning, just after eating so you can direct him to the potty straight away. You'll catch once eventually and the message will be clearer. Dependent on your little one it may be worth trying a reward chart too if that's helps to get the message across and provide a treat as an incentive. Good luck

[Peaseblossom22]

If he is going 2-3 times a day he may be impacted . He may not have much warning because of this . I would have a chat with your GP

[Beamur]

Good point. If the constipation is perhaps worse than it seems it will be affecting him still. You can get leakage which you have little control over.

[DettolObsessed]

Thank you everyone. I second going back to basics and starting again and will definitely use a reward chart to start him off again! As for being impacted, he was when he was constipated! It kept overflowing all day then the final no2 came later on that evening. I don't think he is impacted as it isn't hurting him anymore and he isn't having any skid marks or signs of it? Do you think it warrants a trip to GP? I should also mention that his stools are very fat / large as well! I've had to put cream on his bottom when he became constipated cos it sometimes makes it bleed :( he drinks plenty of fluids and eats lots of fruit and veg so I just don't know really! I can only guess he could be holding it in?

[GrumpyHoonMain]

Put him back into pull ups. He’s probably only still constipated because he’s with-holding. You could then go back to basics from that.