XP: Pee PT'ed but not Poo PT'ed

IA2TXGirl

Hi All! DD is just a couple weeks shy of 2 years old but thought this board would have more advice regarding potty training than the 12-24 month board. This is a XP from the potty training board as I can tell how active that board really is. TIA!

The day after Christmas I hunkered down with DD to start the 3 day PT method. I will say it was one of the most frustrating experiences of parenthood to date! That said, it didn't click until day 4 when she went to bed and stayed dry the entire night. She proceeded to have 3 days accident free with the exception of pooping which she held for a couple days then went in her underwear during naptime. Here we are over a week since we started this journey and although she is a champ at peeing in the potty and virtually no accidents, she refuses to poop on the potty. Any suggestions? I am at a loss since she is holding it in and only giving me one teaching opportunity every few days, and even then waiting until naptime so there is nothing I can do about it. I, of course, take her to the potty before nap, and if she is still awake in her room for a bit I will get her up and put her on the potty again before she falls asleep. When she does go in her underwear, I take her in the bathroom and put it in the toilet and tell her what it is, where it goes, and have her flush it. When I think it's time for her to poop instead of pee I will ask her if she needs to "go poo" instead of "go potty" to help her understand, but still nothing. She gets rewards (a piece of candy and the opportunity to play with a new special toy - her stamps) when she goes pee. And I would definitely give her a reward for going poo, but I just don't think she understands the difference.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

Tink112011

Sorry, I don't have much advice.  We're PTing DS right now and have had no issues with pooping in the potty. 

I've heard this is common and that there is some irrational fear about it?  Have you let her see you go poop?  I know its not the most pleasant thing, but DS always wants to be in the bathroom with us, and he always wanted to see our poop after we went.  We let him, figuring it would help him understand the process.

IA2TXGirl

Thanks Tink112011

Yes, DD goes in the bathroom with DH and I while we use the bathroom. 

We've also tried hugging her while she is on the potty hoping that her fear will subside if she is focused on the hug instead of pooping, but that hasn't worked either.

RachieTK

It took DS weeks to consistently poop on the potty. No tips, but hang in there!

ashiscute

LalaMama81 said:

You mentioned naps & bedtime - I do wonder if you pushed to hard for those times and it's maybe backfiring a bit? Most kids aren't nap or night trained until 3, 4, even later, even though they are day trained. 

That said, as PP said, poop can be a bit different for some kids & scarier. Some people have success having them first poop in a diaper while sitting on the toilet. 

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livinirie84

We had the same problem. When I knew he had to poop but was too anxious to sit long enough to try, I tried telling him he could do it all by himself and I would close the door and he could call for me when he was done. That was all he needed, privacy. Luckily I had a good comfy potty seat (Lionhearted Wee Potty) so I wasn't worried about stepping out. Good luck.

luvmygirlss

poop takes a bit longer, many kids are afraid. Lots of love, patience, and awesome rewards and it will happen. I hug and hold my daughter when she poops, it makes her less afraid