Mamas & Papas-
Twice now in the past week, our DS, 23 months, has pooed in the tub. We've scooped him out of the tub, and out of the bathroom, then dealt with the mess afterwards. Question for you - Should we be saying something to him? Do we point out that he's pooed and that it belongs in a diaper/ toilet? He doesn't seem bothered or scared by what he's done in the least. On the one hand I'd really rather he didn't poo in the tub, on the other, don't want to make bathtime stressful/ scary. Plus toilet training is right around the corner.
Thanks for your input.
F. B.
The warm water is relaxing, think about it, it is for us as well. He feels comfortable and, well... there you go.
Maybe after he's sitting there for a few minutes, move him to the potty chair or toilet. Then let him finish his bath. A little repetition and he'll catch on. Good luck.
I agree with Jim, you could turn this into a training exercise.
I would say something to my kiddo, "We don't poop in the bathtub." No need to make him feel bad, but he shouldn't get the idea that this is acceptable to do.
Toddlers have been pooing in tubs since, well, the dawn of tubs!
If you can catch him & plop him on the toilet, BONUS!
Otherwise, at 23 mo, just do what you're doing.
Bet your tub is sparkling! Lol
(my DS only did that at my moms! Lol)
Well, I can't imagine why you wouldn't say something to him. You don't need to yell or punish, but he's old enough to understand and even if he can't always control it or if he thinks it's funny, the message should still be said, especially since you're coming up on potty training. We went through this with both kids and taught them to tell us if they felt it was going to happen and we would whisk them out and put them on the toilet.
Definitely speak up and say something to him. "That is not the place for having a poo child. Stop it. Let me know when you get the urge or feeling and I'll plop you on the toilet to do your business."
May I ask what a F. B. is? It's gives me the creeps to be honest.
No just do what you're doing - you can say poopoo is for the potty! but not discipline-y.
I have 3 kids. 1 of them - my first - did this also around age 1 - 2 several times! The other two nope, never happened. I'm sure the warm water is relaxing that area, and making it happen.
No biggie, just clean it up and know it won't happen for long!
Oh the memories, my son used to do that ALOT Even younger than yours. I'd take Jim's advice. :)
that nice warm water is relaxing the muscles. How about sitting him on the potty before taking a bath? It will pass. just mention that we go on the potty not on the tub. Good luck! ~C.~
If he doesn't care, then I would say toilet training is not around the corner! lol I wouldn't make it a big deal since he really can't help that the bath is so relaxing. Maybe you can give him a bath after his evening bowel movement?
I would just tell him that we go poo in the potty. Have you tried having him sit on the toilet while you get the bath ready? That is how I got my daughter to poop in the toilet, I also gave her a toy or book to entertain her while she was sitting.
Don’t reprimand him, I doubt he knows that he did something wrong.
