4 year old suddenly pooping (sorry tmi) in pants?

TriciaChick

DS has been potty trained for almost 2 years.  For some reason in the last week and a half he has started pooping in his underwear.  I am at my wits end and trying not to completely lose it on him because I know with pting issues you can cause damage if you handle them wrong.  When I originally potty trained him I used a reward system everytime he pooped in the potty (dollar store toy).  That worked very well.  Should I go back to that?  Or is that sending the wrong message since he should already be potty trained?  Instead should I take something away?  Or would this be the wrong message because it is focusing negativity on the whole issue?  Today when he did it I asked him why he didn't use the potty and he said "Because I was playing at the sand table."  So all of a sudden he just can't be bothered to go??  Uggg..too hard to figure out al these hidden meaning psychological issues...help please!:)

AnnapolisLari

Well, it looks like his world was rocked by a new sibling recently. Now that the baby isn't just a lump and is starting to be another 'person' in the house, there are bound to be repercussions.

monkeyqueen

DD#1 went through this last fall.   It was really irritating, but I tried to not make too big of a deal out of it.     I just really went heavy on the praise and reminders to use the potty.    It didn't last too long.

 eta:   I should also mention that this occurred about 2 months after my last baby was born.    So, I'd go heavy on the praise and gentle reminders...... try not to make a big deal about it.

TriciaChick

Monkey...I hope it will be this easy!  He starts preschool soon and can't do that there.  Annapolis...DS#3 is already almost 5 months old.  I would think that would have happened already?  Who knows though..

monkeyqueen

TriciaChick:

Monkey...I hope it will be this easy!  He starts preschool soon and can't do that there.  Annapolis...DS#3 is already almost 5 months old.  I would think that would have happened already?  Who knows though..

Although DD#1 had accidents she never had them at playschool or her other activities.   I was on pins and needles, though, worried that she would have an accidents away from home!      

ridesbuttons

I know that DS1's jealousy inflated when little brother started becoming a 'threat' (ie, more mobile, more animated, more like a kid).  Big brother's overall behavoir took a bit of a nosedive around that time.  Acting out, looking for attention, etc.

I don't have any suggestions.  Hoping it will pass for you quickly.

sweetie645

DS did this a couple of months ago (he had only been pt'd for a few months though).  So I did start rewarding him again for pooping on the potty...he got a fun size bag of m&m's everyday.  It didn't take him long and I think I only rewarded him for 2 weeks or so, so it worked well for me.  Good luck!

jlw2505

Regression is normal even a few years after being trained.  I would go back to a reward chart for a few weeks but it make more of a week thing than daily - if he has no accidents for a week, he gets a big prize type of thing.  I have had to do this with my kids from time to time and it always gets them right back on track in a short time.

MsAng02

I would definitely say stress. My DD#1 did this at the age of 4. It lasted one year. Not kidding. I spoke to the dr and the therapist, and they both said whatever you do, don't show your frustration. It's a control issue. They feel like they don't have any control in their lives and this is one of the few places they can assert it. Just be really patient with him. (I say this from the other *side*). She just all of a sudden stopped having accidents. There was no amount of candy, bribery, cajoling, anything I could do to change it (tho all kids are different). From what I understand tho- it's a very normal thing at this age. GLTY!