Pooping in the Tub! Tips for Breaking the Habit/game?

I doubt that a 21mo child can control that kind of thing, I know mine couldn't, so reprimanding her and expecting results is an exercise in futility. I bet the warm water is "signaling" her muscles to contract, making her unable to control it, as that kind of urge is very strong. If she isn't potty trained to poop in the toilet yet, there's no way to control this, just start giving her showers instead if this is her body's response to a bath. I never ever disciplined for potty accidents, that is only setting them up to fail. Be patient.

If your daughter has that much control over her bowel movements she should start potty training. Most kids don't have that much control at this age. Maybe its a result of feeling relaxed? Either way Try putting her in the tub for a few minutes than take her out and put her wet on the toilet. Reward her if she poops on the toilet !

The warm water probably relaxes her to such a great extent. I would just get one of the shower heads that you can remove and give her a shower that way. I always preferred that way because it was quicker. Maybe after a while you can start the bath again.

When this happened with my wee ones, I made them go sit directly on the toilet the entire time I had to wipe everything down. She is old enough to sit on the pot and watch you clean up the toys and tub. She might get a little chill or be a bit uncomfortable being wet. So give her a towel to hold.

But I would stop the cool, calm and collected response and take it up a notch. Don't hide your disgust. This is just plain yucky for everyone. You've got to let her know that's it is not OK.

Carrie below nailed it, I think the kids get so relaxed in the tub, it's comfortable to poop there. Which always made me wonder how much they pee in the tub?? A LOT.

Most kids don't control their movements at this age.. (I think when they do it's potty training time). It could be like an association thing... like smelling a certain thing triggers only you to get sick. Maybe its easier to poop in water or something. I think explaining the tub isn't the place to poop will help her understand a bit but anything further than that probably won't help just because she can't control it. Can you talk to her pediatrician and see if he/she has any advice to disassociate the two or help stop the habit? My daughter has pooped in the tub twice in the past and I told her it was okay but the tub isn't the place to poop. She probably didn't flinch the one time because she doesn't get why pooping can't happen in certain places :)