Mamas & Papas-
Our DS, 2.5 has started toileting. It's going in leaps and bounds. He's amenable to being taken to the toilet. Volunteers that he needs to use the toilet, and has even requested to use the toilet away from our home including at Starbucks, grandmas, friends homes and elsewhere. Daycare tells us that he is having success there too.
Now for a few questions-
He's a stand up shooter, but it seems that he pees in dribs and drabs. Stream of pee, happy dance, flush the toilet. Then another stream, happy dance and flush, then a few dribs, happy dance and flush, then another stream, happy dance and flushing. I'm guessing this is because he had no need to get it all out at once while in a diaper. What can we do to encourage a "complete" elimination?
Next, he's not quite tall enough to clear the seat. His "package" ends up resting on the toilet bowl. This isn't exactly sanitary. What do you mamas do when you are out and about and don't have a footstool available?
Lastly, while he's making efforts to sit down and in his words "make a kaka mommy" The best he manages is a bit of wind. The boy doesn't drink or eat nearly enough fruit or veg. On doctor's recommendation, we've got him on some fiber supplements, but it's still tough going. Is a laxative in order? Should I ask the ped first?
Thanks a bunch for your tips and recommendations.
F. B.
I agree with Isn'tthisfun - I would just pick my son up and honestly - he didn't use his hands to aim - he just went - I would just lift him a couple inches off the ground - just enough to clear the nasty toilet. I agree with others about upping his vegetable and fruit intake. Sounds like he's doing a great job!
If you hate them yourself please don't freak but...prunes are brilliant. My daughter has always loved them. They are as sweet as candy and wonderfully chewy, and the laxative effect is very gentle. If you tell your son how yummy they are and act like they're a special treat he's going to like them (they are also great chopped up in oatmeal). If you hate them yourself, please don't let on, and let him learn to love 'em! They also are very high in potassium which is important for muscles and more. He might also like prune juice but I have never found that as tasty as prunes themselves.
Also, if he loves bananas, you might cut back on those -- they "bind up" some kids. So do starches like breads, pastas, rice. As you increase fruit and veg be sure to reduce starches (and cheeses) at the same time or you might find the increased fiber doesn't get much of a chance to work. And remember that drinking water does help with number two as well as number one. Good luck.
For peeing, we would toss Froot Loops in the toilet and tell our son to pee all over them. That usually helps....having a target.
I agree with Leigh. Prunes are incredible. We always called them "big raisins." I used to buy the Sunsweet brand in the package where they're individually wrapped. Because they're nicer looking than in the bulk package.
Don't give him more than 2-3 per day or you'll get the opposite effect. They do soften the stool nicely and keep things moving along.
I don't recommend laxatives at all. They should be last resort.
I always teach boys to sit when starting to potty train. Standing comes with better balance, more height, aiming ability and potty proficiency. Sitting also encourages them to take a bit more time to get all the pee out in one sitting and allows the chance for pooping without separating the two actions with all the hassle of changing position. In public, I carry Wet Ones antibacterial wipes at all times, give the seat and sides where they hang on a quick wipe, then use a seat cover or toilet paper to cover the seat. Reading a book when not in public while pottying helps them take the time needed to fully eliminate all pee and poop if needed. As for laxatives, don't. Just increase his fruit and vegetables, including dried fruits like raisins, cherries, apricots and blueberries to soften and promote pooping. Besides, fruits and veggies are necessary for healthy eating all through life.
I can't speak to the rest of your question... but for the "what do you do in public when they aren't tall enough" part, here's what I did.
I picked him up. Yeah.. it was back breaking (I had one solid kid, no lightweight). But I would stand behind him, have him undo his shorts and pull them down, and lift him from under the arms (around the upper rib cage/chest but under the arm pits). Like if you were to lift him to put him up on your shoulders or something (ok, I never did that, but my husband would put him on his shoulders that way).
That left his hands free to "aim" and his parts weren't touching anything.
It was tough, too, because I was pregnant. :/ But, it worked.
I also got really good at timing trips so that he didn't have to go while we were out, unless dad was with us. Then dad could take him into the mens room and he could use a urinal.
Sink the cheerio's. Or some other circle cereal that floats on the water pretty well. It takes a few moments to sink it so they keep aiming and trying. Put a few in there so he has to work harder.
I would encourage more fruit and veg. Pears, blueberries, apples...natural ways to get the gut moving. Make sure he is also drinking enough water.
As a mom of a little girl who can't "hover" over a public toilet, I suggest you either buy some paper seat covers to keep in your purse, use one of those fold up toilet seats, use a wet wipe or cover the seat in toilet paper.
Can't help you much on completing the job on first spray, but maybe pretend it's a race to the finish vs small/short term goal.
My boys peed sitting down until they had mastered potty training altogether. Even after they started standing to pee they would sit if the toilet were too tall for them to stand at.
