Help, I've created a monster (xp from my home board re: holding in poop)

Ya Never Know

So, DD kept pooping in the tub. For the most part I just ignored it, cleaned it up, emptied the bath, started over, etc. etc.... But recently I made a huge mistake. When she'd start to poop in the tub, I made the mistake of trying to tell her "No poo in the tub." Then, about a week ago, DD started holding her poop in when she was in the tub. I was impressed that she understood what I was telling her, thought it had solved the problem, and didn't think much else about it. Later that week, we were in the tub again and she started going. She was trying to hold it in, but she couldn't, so I made another huge mistake of holding her over the toilet so she could go since I had enough time to get her there instead of her pooping in the tub. She pooped in the toilet, and I tried to get her excited about it so that she wouldn't be scared or anything. She was confused, but I plopped her back in the tub and that was that.

Well.... now what was just holding in poop in the tub has turned in to holding in poop all the time. This morning, she had to go and was trying to hold it in so much that she wouldn't eat.

I f*cked up big time, and now I don't know what I'm going to do to stop this behavior. I've created a monster and it's all my fault. I'm so stupid.

vamomtobe

https://make-everything-ok.com/

 But really, you're worried, of course, but no need to be so hard on yourself!  Sounds like exactly what I would do in that situation.  There's only so long you can hold it in, I'd say just give it time and this will work itself out.  (pun intended)  I'm not trying to belittle the issue, because definitely you're upset about it, but just trying to reassure you that from an outside perspective, you didn't do anything wrong and I think your LO will be back to her normal pooping (hopefully not in the tub) routine soon.  

Plus, there's always her ped to reassure you if you want a professional opinion!  Who knows, this may be a problem they run into from time to time and they may have good advice. 

TiffanyBerry

When you see her holding, offer the potty! Teach her to say or sign potty so she can tell you!

fryrat

TiffanyBerry:

When you see her holding, offer the potty! Teach her to say or sign potty so she can tell you!

 

This! You've opened yourself up to the perfect opportunity. In addition to teaching her to hold it, you also taught her that  the potty is the correct place to go.

bridein08

Haha you absolutely did not f up, and certainly not big time. Set her on the toilet in a little kid seat (for her comfort) and talk, sing and play with her. Make her comfortable on the toilet. We started putting DS on the toilet to poop at 9 months (by his cues) and he started asking when he needed to poop starting around 13 months. He is 18 months now, and is mostly potty trained on his own. Don't take this as a failure- take it as an opportunity to help her go! 

If they have constipation, the position of them sitting on a toilet helps to facilitate their "pushing" and reduce her dairy intake. That should help! Good luck!