DD appears afraid of opening bowls

[Rrrrayray]

DD is 3 in January.
We potty trained back in May and was smooth and remarkably easy, took all in stride.
Whilst in USA visiting friends in the summer she didn't open her bowls for 12 days, had a hard tummy and was visibly uncomfortable. Despite me pumping her with fruit, including prunes, and even an infant dose of milk of magnesia she didnt go.

The doctor eventually did an anemia which worked well and she passed it all.

Since then she has appeared scared about poo- ing on potty. She has saved them up for her night time nappy.

Now I am pregnant with our second, and with a few dry nappies overnight last week we decided to tackle the night time nappies. First 2 nights great, but, as her nappies for poo have been taken away she hasn't opened her bowls for 2 days. We explained the nappies are for the new baby, and she is very pleased with that.

But this lunch time she has been in melt down about poo- ing. She obviously needs to go, jogging on the spot, sitting on potty and then jumping off when she feels it coming.

She is a very clean little thing and I just can't see her messing herself.

We have tried bribery, everything from a scooter to something she can see infront of her like chocolate, told her stories, let her see her friends using the toilet, my self and husband taking her in with us, and she congratulates us on such a good poo..... But nothing!

Am stumped, and upset for my little girl. She doesn't like using the nappy and insists it's changed straight away.

Anyone been here? Or can offer some advice or suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

I feel for you because ds1 was very similar. Even though he has a very healthy diet, I did end up going down laxatives route. We gave him half sachets of Movicol daily until he smply had to go; he couldn't hold it in. I felt horrible giving him laxatives (he didn't know) but like your dd he was holding it in really badly and itwas making him unwell. He did exactly same as you in terms of leaping off potty just as poo was about to come out... what's that about? Movicol has been brilliant for us. He now has about half a sachet every three days and poos most days although sometmse every other day whcih seems normal for him. I'm going to gradually reduce dose but am very happy with the way it has enabled me to potty train him. MOre importantly, he is no longer scared of doing poos on potty. LIke your dd he is very clean little chap and through this whole process has only once pooed his pants. His problem is almost the opposite... that he is so good at holding it in. Good luck.

DD is a little younger but despite being trained for wees she was constantly soiling her pants. Then the last couple of days she didn't go at all and today was as you described, jiggling, sitting on the pot and jumping off, very irritable etc. This is during the day rather than at night so it may not be any use to you. I completely ignored the needing to go behaviour today until she said her bottom hurt. I just told her very matter of fact "oh that will be the poohs needing to get out, if you want it to go away you will need to do a pooh" I didn't suggest she use the potty or toilet and didn't talk anymore about it. During dinner she asked to get down and I let her, several minutes later she appeared and announced there was a big pooh on the potty. I told her I was glad the pooh wasn't hurting her bottom anymore and got on with the day. I think it is a bit of a power struggle and she felt that I had given her the power back, lets hope it continues and maybe a low key approach may work with you

Thanks for your responses. I know many have potty training troubles, but I dont think that's our issue, I think she has a mental block since the enema incident.

Yesterday after an entire day of it really bothering her & ALOT of tears I convinced her she could have a nappy on if she sat on the potty with it on. What she didn't know is I'd cut a big hole at the back.... So eventually eventually she did poo.. And it plopped into the potty.. I then showed her & whipped the pull up off.... And she proceeded to finish the job on the potty.

She certainly is very pleased with herself, can only just hope that she now realises it doesn't hurt, nothing from her insides will fall out, or whatever else it was that was worrying her. Poor little poppet.

Jane7 - I have the exact same problem with my DS but he won't take the movicol! What do you mix it with?

I feel like he's had this problem forever, worried that he'll be starting school in 2 years still crying and dancing around to stop himself pooing!!! :(