16 month old cries when she accidentally poos... Is this normal?

[crabby]

Please advise me!

I have a lovely, happy little girl who is still very much in nappies. On a few occasions she has been out of her nappy - in the bath, or whilst running around in the morning - when she has had a poo not in her nappy. Each time she cries to the point that I have to take her out of the bath, or if she is in her bedroom, she goes and hides. We are reassuring, give her hugs and tell her that everyone has accidents, but she reamins very sad.

Is this normal? Is this going to lead to a poo-phobia?? When she poos in her nappy, it causes no problems or worries.

Help!!

Pretty sure this is very normal. I woudln't even use the word accident - just give her a cuddle and say its ok. Too young i think to think of it as an accident iyswim. Maybe just keep a nappy on her in the mornings until she gets a bit more comfortable with it.

Anyone else's little ones get so upset they have to hide?

bump...

my DS1 had a little phase of this we completely ignored it. Cleaned up without saying anything and just said

'oh poo' then acted as if nothing had happened.

He soon did the same

Definitely don't say accident. It isn't. It is a normal action for a 16 month old. She probably feels scared as the feeling of pooing into air is different than into a nappy.

Yep, I am with Fab: they get a fright because they have no idea where this strange smelly thing came from and what it is !
DS3 used to go ape when he actually saw his poos - and he used to poo in the bath every single bloody night for weeks on end! He is now 22 months, has thankfully not pooed in the bath for ages, but is still v surprised when he realises his feet are wet ...
Would also agree to not call it an "accident", it isn't, at that age she will have absolutely no control over her bowels.

Thank you all so much. I do say accident in a nice, don;t worry kind of a way, but I take your point and will stop.

Thank you again, really appreciate knowing that I have not got poo phobic in making!