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Potty training

Is your child ready for potty training at nursery? Here's the place for all your toilet training questions.

Potty training: three-year-old still not recognising when she needs a poo

1 reply

oceanblueandturquoise · 22/07/2026 11:12

I started potty training DD (3 last week) in march and it was straightforward enough for wees; she got it immediately and pretty much never has a wee accident.

Poo has been a lot more challenging. initially I wasn’t concerned as I knew poo often came later and we had had some successful poos so that was all fine but she just doesn’t seem to recognise when she needs a poo and does it in her pants!

I had a similar issue with my eldest child and in his case it did just resolve itself in time but he was approaching four when he got it. I’m a bit worried with DD being a summer birthday.

Is there anything I can actually do other than to reinforce poos go in the potty? I’ve tried special pants (hoping that not pooing on Elsa might motivate her!) but I’m unsure if I’m missing anything else. Is it largely just a (messy) waiting game?

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Lucy211 · 22/07/2026 19:16

Following because I’m in the same situation with my 2.5yr old! And it’s giving her a nappy rash, because she’ll poo her pants and not tell anyone.

Ive just bought some shiny Gruffalo stickers and am hoping bribery will work? But I’m a bit worried she’s not old enough to be bribed.

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