why is my son insistent on playing with his poo?

[eandz]

Background information:

He will be 26 months on on the 6th of December. His therapist has classified him as 'delayed' with his speech; but he does have some words (not 50+ words but around 20-30), we use makaton sign language tapes and classes and we take him to therapy twice a week. He's had a lengthy battle with reflux (he was taking omeprazole+renitidine+baby gaviscon+neocate (because he also had a milk intolerance). He is allergic to eggs and red fruits. He is on a limited diet, and I do work with him quite constantly regarding food, speech, play etc. I am holding off on Potty training until he can communicate to me that he is ready to try. He does usually sign to me when he wants his diaper changed, but only after his diaper is dirty.

(I don't know if any of that is relevant or not, but I just thought I'd make sure to mention it). I am a sahm and to keep myself from going a little loopy I've set a pretty regimented routine. DS is normally a very well behaved little boy despite all his discomfort.

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Around 6:30 every evening DS has his free time, where he can choose (after he is in his PJ's) to either play with a toy, pick a book to read or watch tv. The last few nights he's picked TV, but while he's watching he sneakily does a poo (he used to poo in the mornings until three nights ago)and then decides to play with it. Smearing it on the TV, around the stand and into the carpet. The thing is, he does it soo fast that I don't know how/why it's happening and I watch DS like a hawk.

So, have you experienced this? what do I do? and Why is DS doing this?

bump! come on ladies, i've been here to help all of you at some point, in some form.

really? no one is coming along to help me?

Sounds like some form of attention seeking to me. He is in a nappy no? How does he get access - can you remedy that, make it more inaccessible? You say you watch him like a hawk - apart from that being a bit disconcerting, obviously you aren't watching him that closely.

As far as I can gather a passing interest in ones 'motions' is a common enough feature of toddlers. Everything is worth exploring to them, if it kicks up a stink (pun intended) then all the better.

I'd concentrate on removing the opportunity and distraction. HTH.

I've put him in babygrows ever since the first incident.

seriously, the first incident happened while he was on my lap (he smeared the sofa) we were sitting on.

second+third instance happened at the tv while i was sitting right next to him. it all happened within seconds.

I've read on babycenter that cold showers was the way to go, but i feel like thats a little too traumatic for me to feel comfortable with doing.

Hope this is not a wind up

I'd imagine he's getting some sensory feedback from it. You might try giving him access to something with a similar texture such as clay, cornflour and water.

The OP has been here for a while so probably not a wind up.

Have you spoken to your health visitor about this? It's best to keep away from a cold shower, it'll traumatise your child. I'm interested to hear where this advice is from.

no, really I did see on babycenter about the cold showers. i will not be doing this.

this is not a damn wind up. I really need some helpful insight.

cold shower

Please girls!

I have not yet spoken to a health visitor yet. I will on Monday hopefully. What can I do in the meantime?

In the mean time watch him like a hawk. Does he have developmental delay aswell as delayed speech? It's not normal for a child to do this to be honest but it's not unheard of.

he's only delayed with regards to speech. he can do everything else, and can communicate through sign language quite well.

as far as words-- he has them, about 30. He can once in a blue moon even stay short sentences, but prefers to stay quiet and uses signing. he babbles all day and if i really don't get the point of him needing something he will eventually try to say it.

If he's doing this at around the same time then could you place him on the potty and remove all temptation once he's finished? If there's a pattern then it should be a little easier to try to combat. Once he sticks his hands in there then wash them right away and explain that we do not play with poop.If you have to sit and hold his hands whilst he's on the potty then do this. Do you distract him?

The minute his hand came out with poo this evening, i did like i've done everynight (upon finding him and his poo)

I took him straight to the bathroom, removed his poo clothes, tried to sit him on the toilet (he didn't want to and said !NO!!!) so I washed him, gave him a bath and gently told him he cannot do this again.

but he did it again today. and i took him to the bathroom, he signed that he needed a diaper change and i ended up bathing him and telling him that he needs to tell me when he's getting ready to do a pee, or a poo and we'll use the big boy potty.

his therapist has been telling me that since he can vocalize, I should wait till he can tell me when he's ready to use the potty instead of putting him on it. (but, I feel like I might get better answers from you--which is why I am here).

before putting him to bed tonight we talked about not doing this again and ds nodded his head when i asked him if he understoond.

I never have to distract him when I change his diaper normally. he lays down on his changing mat and is very easy to change.

yesterday and the day before i placed him on the potty

this evening he told me before i placed him on it that he was ready for a full change.

Does he like having a bath?

yes. he does. he loves his baths.

but i can't not bathe him

...I guess if it is a sensory thing, I could try playdough/clay. I can make that kinda stuff at home I suppose, but shouldn't i be worried he might do it again anyway?

Could you make the bath less fun when he's in there because he's made a mess? No bubbles, no chat, no toys?

Maryz has some very helpful advice.

My autistic nephew does this, the only advice I can give is to tape the nappy rond the middle, we use brown packing tape and to make them inaccesible, we use tights which are too big so pulled up underneath a tight leotard, you need to make it so he can't do it iyswim ?

Oh and leave the potty training, he'll get there but thesmearing issue is more important at the mo