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Original poster

pooing nightmare of three year old twins

11 replies

pop · 02/03/2006 15:29

Help! Have 3 yr old identical twin girls. Started potty training nearly a year ago and what a nightmare. 1 has nearly mastered it, 1 had to go back into pull ups after a summer of constant pooey pants and have now put her back in pants in the last 2 weeks. She is peeing very successfully but refusing to poo at all. The result is that she holds it in for 2 days and we then have a day of constant dirty pants as she cannot keep it in any longer and it comes in small installment! Have tried absolutely everything from star/sticker charts to rewards of games/trips etc, massive praise the odd time she has done something in the loo but am at my total wits end. Cannot put her back in pull ups as she has made big progress with the pees, but it is becoming a huge prob at nursery etc. Desperate for any advice. At the moment am taking her to the loo at regular intervals to try to avoid the whole dirty pant scenario but I am at the end of my tether and cannot see a light at the end of the tunnel.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MrsBadger · 02/03/2006 15:30

cod!

this one's for you!

ferny · 02/03/2006 15:31

if you can get her to sit on the toilet and you know she needs a poo then give her a balloon to blow up.
blowing it up will make the poo come out! trust me

Original poster

pop · 02/03/2006 15:46

am posed with my balloon as we speak - will let you know how it goes!!!!

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Original poster

pop · 02/03/2006 15:47

sorry - was meant to say 'poised' not posed - was carried away with the excitement of a new idea!

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ferny · 02/03/2006 15:49

if you blow into it, you can feel your bum muscles move too. it's VERY odd, but it works

misty · 02/03/2006 15:51

pop - I had/have exactly the same problem with my ds2. He successfully trained for wees but never mastered the poos and like you, would hold it in for days and then it would 'leak' out over a couple of days and result in pooey pants.
We tried everything from sticker charts to getting cross ( which I know you are not supposed to do but it is so damn frustrating).
After about 2 months of this we took him to the drs as someone suggested he may be constipated, and they gave us some laxatives in case it was. Well we never really perservered with this tbh as I was convinced the constipation stemmed from the holding it in, not the otherway round.
Eventually after another month or so, he seemed to crack it. We are currently going through another bad spell after about a month of pooing properly, and that's because we went away at half term and his routine was disrupted, something which seems to throw him a bit.
Also, because of his problems we have held off with the nightime training, thinking it would cause more problems but in hindsight, I feel his problems may have been worsened by the confusion caused by putting a nappy on at night, when he could then relax, so he never really had to go cold turkey!
He turned 4 last week so that is now our next task, getting rid of the nappies at night.
Anyway just wanted to say that I totally sympathise with you as it's so frustrating isn't it? But it will all sort itself out eventually, promise .

misty · 02/03/2006 15:53

Oooooh the balloon thing sounds good!

DumbledoresGirl · 02/03/2006 15:55

Despite potty training 4 children, 2 of whom took a long time to stop having pooing accidents, and the other 2 of whom had anal fissures at one time leading one of them to have chronic constipation (for about 18 months), I am at a lost as to what to suggest. I do want you to know though that the 2 who kept having poo accidents did eventaully get there, with a constant campaign of bribes, vigilance of my part, and a certain amount of being on the loo at the right time.

Hope the balloon idea works, but can a 3 year old blow up a balloon? I struggle to most times!

Original poster

pop · 02/03/2006 22:29

Tried the balloon thing but the fact she has a bit of a balloon phobia didn't really help and she nearly fell down the loo in fright BUT was also given the advice today to try bubbles which works in the same way ie when blowing you are using muscles etc and hey presto she produced a marvellous poo which anyone would have been proud of! What a relief!A small step I know but if she can master the sensation of actually doing it I think we will be halfway there. Thanks for all the kind words it is so reassuring to hear that others have gone through similar(and survived!)

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Original poster

pop · 02/03/2006 22:30

Misty - so reassures that you too felt angry. Find it really hard to be patient and not lose control after the 8th dirty pant in a day.

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ferny · 03/03/2006 14:29

pop so glad you got the poo out of her! I think you're right that once she gets used to the sensation it really shouldn't be a problem for her.

couple that with plenty of praise (as I am sure you did!) and she'll be well on her way

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