After a year long battle of potty training, my almost 4 year old finally pooped in the toilet Friday night!! He was scared and trying to hold it in but he finally let it all out after much coaxing and hand-holding. It took 2 flushes to get it all down (sorry TMI but I'm so proud!). He was very happy and proud of himself, running off to show daddy his big boy poop and we immediately made good on our promise and took him to Target to buy a toy. I asked him if it hurt and he said no (he'd been scared that it would hurt) and he was talking about the next time he poops, he'll get such and such a toy. I hoped that this would be the end of it but then Sat came and he wanted to poop but then changed his mind and held it in (he usually poops daily). Yesterday, he was dancing around trying to hold it in and I kept reminding him that he did it 2 days ago and it didn't hurt and it's not scary but he seemed terrified again of pooping in the toilet. Finally, after about an hour of running off the toilet and then running back to it b/c he felt it coming out, he let the poop out and agian, it was a large amount. He was relieved and happy after he pooped and he got to watch his reward, a Spiderman episode, and got 2 pieces of candy. My question is - how long before he stops being afraid of pooping in the toilet? I don't want him to keep holding it for 2-3 days before he just can't hold it anymore. He again said it didn't hurt when he pooped last night. I thought once he saw that it was OK, he wouldn't be so scared. Is this normal? Anything I can do to help ease/speed the transition??? Thanks!
I would say lots of fiber. Pear and apple juice are good. Prunes. My oldest actually really liked prunes at that age, so we bought baby food and gave him that when we feared he needed extra fiber.
Hang in there and stay positive. You're doing great!
haha! It's funny, when I read your title, I thought, "Wipe?"
My only suggestion would be to load him up on fiber. Nothing would make him regress faster than constipation.
Congrats to the little guy!
I don't know but my 3.5 year old son is the same way....he has pooped a couple of times on the potty but still holds it for a few days. It's like we have to coax him to go because he'll tell us he needs a diaper. When asked, he said he is not afraid to poop in the potty. I ask if he's scared it will hurt (and he says no) but I think that may be it because after holding it for so long and it being so big (also TMI) I'm sure it does hurt!!! I would say keep offering rewards - maybe some are free (dance party in the living room) (playing on the computer for extra minutes), etc so you do not feel like it's always something associated with money. Yesterday I did a pirate dance (not even sure what that was but it involved me saying Yo-Ho-Ho and Arrrrgh matey! LOL
Yea! We celebrated every time for a week. End of that successful week he got a special toy. He never stopped. Sounds like you are doing good and can look forward to success! New Spiderman underware after a week. Give him some pear juice or pears or prunes so he he can go easier and can't hold it, hopefully!
Each kid will vary, when they get over the fear of it.
But he's on his way.
He's a kid, with kid logic, not adult deductive reasoning.
So in time, he will get more used to it.
He's totally normal!
My son was like that too. Even at 4 years old, like your son.
Don't worry, they won't go to Kindergarten like that.
Some kids are anxious about the poop going down the toilet. It feels like part of them is going away. You could try not flushing while he's still in the room. And/or talk with him about how the poop is used up food and not a part of him. That his body has already used what was good and your body wants this to go away.
give it a month for him to get over it completely but you will probably notice a change in 2 weeks. dont' rush him, it sounds like he is getting it.
sounds like hes starting to get it. it might take a while to get used to it though. u might want to offer him other things like you singing a potty song, or dancing together, a slumber party in the front room with mommy.. something fun, but free..
Give him a stool to put under his feet so he feels more comfortable on the toilet.
