Potty poo blues!

[crazymommaclub]

Hi all, my DS has just turned 3 and has been completely dry for about 6 months (even at night), and uses the potty very happily to have a wee. Poos on the other hand have been more of a challenge!! When we first started training he totally refused to poo on the potty and started to withhold it. We didn’t make a big deal about it and tried introducing books and songs about poo, poo stickers, watching us poo (sorry TMI!) and even introduced the idea of having a poo party (if he had a poo in the potty we would celebrate by putting on a song and all dancing and cheering)!
Slowly but surely it started to work and eventually he went for about a week without needing a nappy! I finally thought we’d cracked it…..But alas he seems to have now reverted and only wanting to poo in a nappy (usually accompanied by hiding somewhere). When he says he needs a poo, I tell him to go to the potty but he adamantly refuses and insists on using a nappy “like a baby”. I’ve tried not to make a big deal about it as I want to ensure he’s not doing it to get a reaction, but I’m slightly concerned we’ve gone backwards! Any advice or tips would be very gratefully received!!

Following, same boat!

Is he comfortable on the potty, he may prefer the toilet (with a child seat so he doesn't feel like he's going to fall in!)? For a while, the novelty of the Special New Toilet Seat With a Step encouraged DD to use the toilet.

We also had a couple of toys by the toilet that she only got while sitting on the toilet - which helped with getting her to stay there and wait for a poo initially. Later though they were more of a distraction as she'd play instead of getting on with it when we needed to get out the door to take DS to school!

Yeah he’s absolutely fine on it and wees no problem. We’ve also got a toilet seat/step (I had the same thought), but he’s not that keen on it. 🙁

Good idea, I will try this! My other idea was to have a special toy or activity that he only gets if he poos on the potty?

We bought an iPad, downloaded CBeebies educational games, and only allowed DD to use it while doing a poo (to help her relax on the toilet). It worked.

Yes, went through this for about 6 months. Dry day and night but refusing to poo anywhere except in a nappy. No amount of encouraging worked and I wondered if she liked all the fuss and attention she got from using a nappy. In the end, we just let her do it, cleaned her up afterwards and went on with our day with no talking about it. She seemed to suddenly realise that doing it on the toilet generated much more fun and cheer and we didn’t look back. It was a long slog though and completely sympathise!

Thanks all, lots of good advice! Also relieving to hear we’re not the only ones to experience it!