Twin boys who won't poo in the toilet

[1909mum]

I would really value any advice on how to encourage twin boys to poo in the toilet - they are now 3.5years old and both seem to be regularly going for a wee in the loo. However with the poos it will either be a case of them waiting until they get their nappy on after their bath OR they will do it in their pants! They know when they are doing it and they repeat back to me at random the fact that they need to tell me when they want to do a poo...
Not sure what to do...I think that once one of them does it the other will follow as that is what happened with going for a wee..

Any advice appreciated...

[twinterror]

Hi I am in process of potty training my twin girls. the second one has just started, the first one did really well but didn't want to poo in potty or toilet only in pants (one day did 5 poos in pants!).
This lasted about 3 days what I did was increase the rewards she got for doing a poo on potty or toilet - I told her if she did a poo in the toilet or potty she could go to the shop and choose a 'magazine' (comic) plus chocolate buttons - she did one same day. Then I made it that she got a few chocolate buttons every time she did a poo on the potty or toilet plus a star on her chart and every time she got 2 stars she had an extra treat (an ice cream, a chocolate cake, a peppa pig bowl are the ones I have used so far - telling her in advance what she will get if she does 2 poos in potty and gets 2 stars). at the same time (without telling her or making it obvious) I stopped giving her any other cakes, biscuits, chocs, ice creams etc so making the reward even better. I gave her fruit for pudding and actually it has made it easier for her to go and she is doing one big one a day rather than several little ones. Good luck!

[Pigmella]

My son is almost 4. Had numerous attempts at potty/toilet training before with no success. However this Easter I had to sort it. First day me very patient and wee and poo in pants all day, refused to sit on toilet unless had pants and trousers on (not quite the point!). Day two same. Then I lost all patience at lunchtime. Took away new Easter bunny toy, refused chocolate mousse after lunch. He then sat properly on toilet. No wee, but a start. An hour later he did his first wee on toilet, that was a week ago. We've only had one wee accident since, and we're both pleased and proud. However he won't poo on toilet, will wee, then get off and poo in pants! Hasn't asked for nappy, happy to do in pants! He has always stood to poo, never had a problem with constipation. Now he is holding it in (by sitting down and trying not to move) for as long as possible. Had two poo accidents today. How do I get him to poo on toilet? Help!

[sunnysunny]

My daughter is nearly 4 and has been potty trained for nearly two years. She has always completely refused to poo anywhere but in a nappy (lately a pull up). In the past we have tried bribery, stern faces, reward charts and 'running out of pull ups' with resulting accidents and hysterics.

Yesterday she decided that she didn't like the design of the pull up (too babyish) so took herself off to the toilet put her seat on it and did one Her only comment was 'that's good I can't smell it'

I've got no idea if this is helpful to anyone else, but it has made me so happy.

[spiderlight]

Pigmella and 1909mum, try Poo goes home to Pooland. It's a story with pictures, free to print out from that link and it sorted out my son's refusal to poo in his potty or on the toilet within 24 hours. I was totally when I first saw people on here raving about it but it was a blooming miracle cure for us after five months of flat refusal to poo anywhere but in a nappy. He loved it and made me read it to him three times on the evening I printed it out, and the next poo, the following morning, was in the potty!

[playdoughpotty]

Hi Sunny, i have found your post very encouraging. I bet you are absolutely delighted!

My DD is 3 and a half and has been weeing happily on the toilet since she was two. She is also nappy-free at night. However, she will only poo in a nappy and nothing we say or do makes any difference.

Do you think the answer is just to wait for her to be ready? Sometimes I'm not too bothered by it all and just think she'll crack it eventually, other times I feel really frustrated at the lack of progress.

[JaynieB]

My DD is 3 and a bit and is exactly the same, really good with potty and wees, but refuses to poo until she gets a nappy on at night.
If its any consolation, I mentioned this to the staff at the nursery and they said it was pretty common and quite a few of the children of that age will not poo at nursery.
I reckon they'll eventually grow out of it...(sooner rather than later I hope!)

[playdoughpotty]

You're right, they'll get there. DP and I will be gob-smacked when DD finally does though! I'll be soooo pleased when the weekly shop doesn't include a pack of size 6 pampers.

It's a shame that it isn't more widely recognised that some children take a while to get the hang of this - I've had some unhelpful reactions from relatives and friends. People sometimes seem more tolerant/aware of other toilet-training hiccups.

[endofhertether]

I would just like to thank "spiderlight" for the recommendation of "Poo goes home to Pooland". My DS who is 3 has been dry for over a month but was getting VERY stressed about doing poo's anywhere but in his pants. Since reading the short book he now happily will poo in the toilet and this was all within 48hrs. We do find ourselves going to the toilet a million times a day as he sometimes does loads of little poos but he does also does big poos too. I would recommend this to anyone who is having difficulties. Thank you

[flo136]

I was just wondering how or if you solved your problem with your boys poo?

I have a 4and a half year old.
We have been struggling with this problem for almost 2 years.
We are seeing a psychologist, GP and paediatrician to get it fixed before school next year. Crazy times!
Any top tips welcomed.