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Please help with potty training nightmare

10 replies

EverydayCook · 27/07/2020 14:55

At my wits end. DC3 is 3.3yrs and has been potty trained for wees for a few months. Dry day and night. It took a long time for her to accept it was time for the potty, but she's now very reliable.

However, poos are a totally different matter. She started off pooing in the potty or loo for the first week or so, but now will ONLY poo in her pants. She tends to do multiple small poos every day and doesn't tell me when she has. I'm spending a huge amount of time every day cleaning her, her clothes and wherever she's hidden to do it.

She won't accept a nappy any more, we've tried going back. She obviously CAN do it, as she has before. She just won't. She's a bright and able girl in every other way. It's been months, and the constant mess and inconvenience is starting to really get to me combined with all the other lockdown stress. My other two had their ups and downs with potty training but nothing like this.

Anyone have any advice, or has been through it and it sorted itself out?

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EverydayCook · 27/07/2020 16:52

Bump?

OP posts:
Mama12345678 · 27/07/2020 16:53

Following as we have a similar situation

crazychemist · 27/07/2020 22:36

Definitely don’t go back to nappy. There is a specific potty training forum you might like to try.

My DD was a bit of a nightmare for poos, and frankly a year on we still have the occasional difficult day (withholding if in an unfamiliar place etc). Can you do some more bare bottom days? Just so in the pants isn’t an option. Can you get her to sit on it for a long time by reading a story or similar when you think she might need to go? My DD was easiest to catch just after a big meal

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Isawthathaggis · 28/07/2020 05:11

We’ve just come through exactly this, it is exhausting and smelly.
I put it down to the world being a bit different these last few months and it being DD’s only way of expressing she found the changes around lockdown difficult.
She managed to get to the toilet every time when the Nursery reopened so it was entirely deliberate when she pooed in her pants at home.

We started giving her a pro-biotic to firm up her poo so there was only one a day to deal with. Lots of praise and putting her on the toilet often.
Bribing with bubbles and lots of one-on-one time with me to use the bubbles.

Took months I’m afraid.

jammydodgersplease · 28/07/2020 05:18

My DS2 did this, we had -what seemed at the time - forever of him pooing his pants and just not seemingly bothering about using the potty/toilet. In reality it was probably only around 3 months and I think he just got it in the end. I do remember feeling exasperated and trying so so hard to be patient and understanding with him! He got there. Dont give up!
Currently have an almost 3year DD who is point blank refusing to entertain a potty for either wee or poo Confused

Limpshade · 28/07/2020 06:01

We experienced similar and what cracked it was a character themed toilet insert I bought out of desperation - a pink Paw Patrol one. I bought one for the toilet at home and one for the car in case of emergencies, and for some reason that did the trick.

Bitchinkitchen · 28/07/2020 06:14

All the above suggestions are good. At 3, I'd also be getting her involved in the cleaning. You may find she's much more inclined to use the potty if she has to stop playing to rinse out her pants, put them in the laundry and clean the floor every time. Obviously supervise and don't rely on 3yr old standards of cleanliness, but I would make her deal with it with you every time.

Nicehooves · 28/07/2020 21:17

We used a free app called ‘Poo goes to poo land’ hilariously low budget but it did the trick.

EverydayCook · 29/07/2020 14:22

Thanks so much for all the replies. I'm definitely going to look into "poo goes to poo land" Grin

I like the idea of bribing with bubbles, and mummy time to play with them, sweeties have no affect any more. Also the character insert - perhaps she can choose her own.

A friend also suggested once nursery starts in September peer pressure will probably sort it. But it seems like a very long time!

I'm reassured that we're not the only ones and it's sorted itself out for others - thanks!

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twinmum2017 · 29/07/2020 14:31

We had exactly this and it felt like forever. I just kept up with 'oh no, next time in the toilet' and one day we just turned a corner. There was no eureka moment, I've no idea why she suddenly stopped doing it, but we went from several pairs of dirty knickers a day to zero accidents ever since 🤷🏻‍♀️

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