DD 2.9 completely dry, but will only poo in pull-up - HELP!

[LittlePickleHead]

Started toilet training a few months ago and DD was immediately dry. She has a sticker chart for wees and is reallt proud every time we add a sticker on.

We initially started off OK on the poos, with a mix of some in the potty and some in knickers. Then she got constipated and everntually did a very big poo (on the potty). We had been giving chocolate buttons as a reward and she seemed happy with this. The next time she went to sit on the toilet to do a poo no problem, but she had obviously got a little cut the last time as she cried and then afterwards said 'it really hurt mummy!'

Since then she absolutely refuses to do a poo on the potty or toilet. She is over the constipation and I'm making sure she is eating a high fibre diet (her poos are fine) but she will just withold until we put a pullup on. I don't want her to get constipated again, so when she starts doing the 'poo dance' I ask her first if she wants to go to the toilet, then when she says no, I ask if she wants to wear a pull up and she will say yes and then go.

How do I break this? I'm trying gentle encouragement, promise of a reward etc but it makes no difference. She refuses to even sit on the potty with a pull up on when she needs a poo so I'm at a loss. Should I just allow the pull ups for a while and try again with pooing on the potty in a few months?

TIA

Don't have much useful advice but just wanted to say that since potty training I've heard of so many children with poo issues, my DD included! We started mid August and wees were fine very quickly but we had three weeks of poos in the knickers and then she would go on the toilet but only with me. She's only just recently gone with her Dad and the ladies at pre-school but I still put her in a pull-up for pre-school as she has the occasional moment (this Monday included).

I wouldn't force the issue as I think sometimes you just have to wait for them to feel ready. I'd be tempted to let her get on with it but when she does it in the nappy say 'maybe next time you can try doing it on the potty/toilet'. If she's anything like my DD she'll agree with you but still do it in the nappy for a while and then suddenly just do it.

Take heart, a friend of a friend had a DC who pooped in their pants every time for nine months but even they got the hang of it in the end!

Thanks Susia, I just freaked myself by reading other stories online about children still doing this at 4.5 and about to start school! Just want to make sure I'm not making it worse in any way. She genuinly seems scared of trying to poo on the toilet, so I think taking the pressure off is the right thing.