My daughter won't p**p in the potty.

Question

She will pee with no problems anywhere on any potty. But when it comes to pooping, forget it. She refuses and cries and says she is scared. I have reassured her and tried everything I can think of. She will walk around with her hand on her booty and say "my booty hurts". That's when I know she has to go. She will sit on the potty and nothing happens so she will get up. Then she will hide and p**p in her undies! I have even tried letting her be bottomless at home but THEN she will p**p on the floor! It is NOT a medical problem so please don't tell me to give her fruit or laxatives or whatever. She CAN go, she just WON'T go in the potty. I have tried books, toys, candy, stickers, even the pool! Bribery doesn't work. Being positive doesn't work. Being firm doesn't work. Anybody got any creative ideas that worked for you? It would really be nice if someone who actually had this problem could give me advice. She is 2 and a half yrs old.

Answer 1

Try her on the toilet instead, get her a little step which she can use to get up onto it. My son would never use the potty for me, only the toilet.  

Answer 2

My little brother was scared at first but i told him that the potty is nothing to be scared of. When he needed to go next time i went with him and told him a story so he could relax he is two 1/2 now and is fine with the potty. but it could be a medical problme so you should mabey get it checked out at the docotors  

Answer 3

It's called functional Constipation, My daughter had that since she was about 1 1/2 years old. Its caused by stress and anxiety. She had it up until the time I moved to Texas with my husband. But stress is the main cause. And its not really constipation, that's just what the doctors call it, email me at [e-mail] if you have any questions i can tell you what the doctors have told me about it.

Answer 4

We had the same problem, it just takes time and encouragement.  One problem you might get is that she holds the poo in because she doesn't want to go on the potty or toilet, this will make her constipated and the next time it will hurt.  This is what happened with us, my daughter is now nearly 4 and we have only just cracked it.  Give it time and no pressure, just clean up the nickers (or put them in the bin), and don't say too much about it.

Answer 5

This is truly a very common problem. A google search would turn up lots of parents who are or who have struggled with the same thing. p**p is sort of a wierd thing for kids. Often times they will be great with using the potty for peeing but are scared to use it for pooping. Ultimately, though, be proud of her ( AND YOU!) for teaching her to use the potty for peeing. Don't push her over the pooping issue. If you do, it will only make the situation worse. Let her lead on this one. I don't mean to say that you should remind her or talk to her about going p**p on the potty, but don't make a huge issue of it. When forced, children will revert back to diapers.

The good thing about toddlers, though, is that they generally p**p at a predictable time. If this is the case with her, remind her about using the potty or even take her with you to the potty at that time of day and the both of you sit on the potty and go ( unless her potty chair is attached to your toilet)

I hope this is helpful! Don't forget that pediatricians have lots of helpful tips about potty training as well!

Answer 6

I know exactly what you are going through because my daughter was the same way.  She kept pooping on the floor rather than the potty even though she always pees in the potty.  You need to give her as much patience as possible, and also let her watch you on the toilet when you p**p.  I promised my daughter a balloon when she finally went p**p on the potty.  It only took a whole month before she finally did, and she insisted I hug her when she was pooping.  A comfort thing I guess.  It does scare a lot of kids to go in the toilet because they are used to pooping standing up and they are used to it being squished on their butt in diapers.  LOTS of patience is the answer here - she will use the potty to p**p when she feels she can handle it  :)

Answer 7

I have that same problem with my 4 yr old...  The drs simply say They Aren't Ready!  Beleive me, I've tried all of the same things as you... He's doing better, but still has accidents.  Now I know you said it isnt a medical problem but you did also says she says her booty hurts.. so it is very possible that it HURTS her to p**p.... she may be holding it in as long as she can because of that... My son claims he was scared too so I would go sit in the bathroom with him and hold his hand... then when ever he did p**p, we'd sing the bye bye poopy song... ( a song I made up ) Also, I made up a story about how p**p loved to go in the potty so they could swim... and since my son loves swimming, he believed that the p**p really did like it...  Little white lies cant hurt, lol.

GOOD LUCK!!  And BTW: 2.5 yrs old isnt bad for not being p**p potty trained..  She prob just needs more time.