3 Year Old Still Wants Nappy

[Lauren1983]

My DD is 3y4m old. We bought her a potty a few months ago and she screamed every time we tried to put her on it. If we suggested just sitting on she refused and said it was scary. We tried everything we could think of but she wouldn't try.

Then suddenly on Saturday she asked for potty and sat on it. Gave her lots of encouragement and on Sunday she did a wee on the potty twice and has now even done a poo on the potty. Each time she gets a small treat and lots of praise however she keeps asking for a nappy. I tell her she is too old for nappies etc and encourage use of the potty but she ends up very distressed if I don't put her in one.

I'm not sure if I should keep on and just refuse to put her in a nappy as she has made good progress or leave trying the potty again for a few weeks. Any advice anyone?

We let ours decide and suddenly on holiday at 3 years 6 months he said he didn't want a nappy. Hasn't had an accident since (he's now 4). In my opinion I'd let them decide with no pressure, there's no rush. Oh and he bypassed the potty (despite us buying two...).

DS refused to poo in the potty or toilet. I put him in pants but gave him a nappy to use when he asked, and kept him in the bathroom for poos. I started wiping his bottom with loo roll, and generally using toilet behaviour for poos. After a while he started putting on his own pull-up when he needed a poo. Then we moved on to having him poo in the nappy while sitting on the loo and then cutting a hole in nappy for the poo to fall through. It took a while, but was really relaxed and stress-free. I know quite a few children whose parents insisted on poos in the potty or toilet and a lot of them ended up withholding poos leading to tears of chronic constipation, so I'd recommend avoiding doing that.

Years or constipation, not tears.

Thanks to you both.

I think I might leave trying with her for a bit and see if a few weeks makes the difference.

My dd was terrified of the potty ( to be fair they look really uncomfortable) til her favourite treat was mentioned. Now she sits on it just fine.... Just need to make the connection to feeling the need to go and getting there on time....

I would really not recommend going on and off. If she says the potty is scary get a stool and child sized seat for the toilet. I don't know how much you like your privacy but mine always followed me to the toilet and saw me using it. It shouldn't be as scary if it's normal for the rest of the family. Offer treats every time along with a really special treat like a day on our a toy if she does it without fuss all weekend. Then make sure she knows why she is getting the treats. Let her choose her own pants with favourite characters on them, she won't want to get them dirty and wet. That's what we did and my boys were trained at two. No issues with constipation.