I have a 3 year old boy, we started potty training on Monday. No pull-ups we went straight to underwear. He's doing great with peeing but will not poop in his underwear or on the potty. Monday he waited until night time and pooped in his diaper at night time, Tuesday in his underwear. I'm a bit concerned he has not had a bm since Wednesday. He told me twice today that he had to poop but can't seem to get comfortable on the toliet and refuses his potty seat.

I'm just worried that the withholding will cause problems with constipation. I have cut out milk for now and he is just drinking water or apple juice. Should I give him a bran muffin or prune juice? Not sure what to do.

By Dawnk777 on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 08:08 pm:

Would he poop if you put a diaper back on him?

By Amecmom on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 08:21 pm:

He needs to get over his fear of having a bm on the potty. SOOO btdt with my son. The first time he pooped on the potty you would have thought he was giving birth and I was his coach! He was so afraid.
With both my children, I bribed them. They got toys when they pooped on the potty. For my son it was Thomas trains (we have quite a collection) and for Helen it was My Little Pony.
Helen is 2 and 3/4 and is totally trianed (nighttime, too).
Just take it easy and go with the flo.
Ame

By Chai~latte on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 08:51 pm:

Thanks so much to you both! I'm trying very hard not to be too edgey about the whole thing. Gosh it's so hard not to worry when you see your little one struggling with something.

I put him to bed at 8:00 pm with a diaper and he had a bm, we changed him and he just know got up to pee in the potty.

I'm not sure if it's fear of going or just not being comfortable. We've found that he is most comfortable sitting facing the back of the toilet for peeing, I'm trying to encourage the potty seat for bms but I guess he'll just have to figure it out on his own. I'm so happy he told me twice today that he had to go, we'll just keep trying.

Dawn we are still doing diapers at night even though he is waking up dry in the mornings. I don't want to confuse him with putting diapers on during the day, he's already questioned the diapers at night time. I guess I'm just worried that withholding during the day is going to cause a sore tummy.

By Nicki on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 10:13 pm:

It took awhile for my dd to bm in the potty. She did fine with the other, but when it was time to poop, she'd ask me to put a pull up on her. This went on for some time until she decided she didn't like the way it felt.(messy pants) She finally decided to try going in the toilet. She still wants me to sit with her and read to her when she goes. I think it's a big step for these little ones, maybe even scary?
I hope things will work out okay with your son. Yes, it's so hard not to worry! Hugs. I worried alot about this one.(sigh):-)

By Ginab on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 11:10 am:

My daughter had the same problem when potty training! She was quite good at holding it!!! I took her to the doctor because she did not have a movemnent in 3 days! And being a new mom I was freakin out! He suggested using mineral oil...that clear oil you get at the drug store. I added a tablespoon to a pudding cup (to hide the taste...mix well). When the oil kicked in she had to go and go now! I asked her if she needed to go "poop" she said "yes" and we ran for her little potty chair. Needles to say she made it and nature took over...when she was done she was so proud of herself and I think any "fears" of pooping on the potty were calmed. After that initial incident she used the potty chair consistantly. I don't know if it will work for you but I had great luck with it.

By Chai~latte on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 01:15 pm:

Man this kid can hold his pee! He had something to drink this morning and then 8 oz of water/juice while we were out, we did not get home until 11:30 a.m. and we tried to get him to pee 4 times while we were out and he tried but could not go. I wish I could hold it that long!

I finally got him to go with much forcing when we got home. He was just playing outside and pooped in his underwear, what a mess! But at least he pooped. I don't think we need the mineral oil yet but will ask the doc about it next time we see him.

Thanks.

By Angellew on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 04:38 pm:

Ohhh... poor little guy... and you!

The thing you have to remember too is that more they hold it the harder and drier it gets, hence the more it hurts! Of course, you can't tell them that! But, if you can get him to a point where he's going more often, it will be less pressure on him.

My DD was so bad that I put her on Flax Seed Oil a couple of times a day, until she finally started going. It was terrible. But, after she finally did it a couple of time without pain, there was no going back!

Good luck, to both of you!

By Chai~latte on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 03:13 pm:

AAAHHHH Success!!!! Today before we went outside I told him to tell mommy if he needed to pee or poo and we would come inside but go right back outside. I did tell him that if he peed in his pants or pooped we would come in and stay in. I really didn't like giving a negative consequence so I need to work on a new strategy BUT he did come to me and tell me I have to pee and I have to poo. So we've made a break through. He pooped on the potty! Yeah Big Guy!

By Angellew on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 04:11 pm:

Big Congratulations to both of you!