Potty Training, Poop, and Nap Time

Updated on January 27, 2012
J.W. asks from Los Angeles, CA
5 answers

Even though my 35 month old daughter first successfully used the potty by going #2, she has still not quite mastered potty and poop. My biggest problem is (and I am a schedule freak), she goes down for a nap like clockwork after lunch. However, lately she has been finding this "quiet time" as an excellent opportunity to poop her pants! So after I hear her rustling around in her room, I go in there, find that she's pooped, and clean her up, and wonder to myself "has she slept???" By the time I clean her up, she is all wound up anyway, and I only find out she hasn't slept by the time dinner time rolls around and she is completely unmanageable. I've also tried just laying her back down after I clean her, and she puts up a fight. Her nanny says that she has the same problem (pooping right as she's about to fall asleep-- she has a different arrangement there, and the nanny knows that she hasn't slept). Has anyone had this problem and has found a successful solution? She is otherwise doing well with the potty training (peeing that is!)

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R.M.

answers from Tucson on

I have two thoughts, based on our pottying experience. This will take time, but try to move her pooping time to either the morning, or the evening. If she lets you, just set her down on the potty every morning / evening, tell her you are waiting for the poop to come out. You can read or play some games. Wait half an hour at least (if you have that kind of time). Over time you can get her on a morning or evening routine, so the naps won't be affected. The other suggestion is to give her time to poop before the nap, but then if it happens during the nap, just leave her with it. I know it's not ideal, but it might help her connect the dots.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Have you tried sitting her on the potty or putting on a pull-up right before her nap? Maybe that is just her new pooping schedule and you'll need to push back her nap. You are on "toddler time" now, not mom time.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

She is pretty much 3 years old.
I have a regular routine with my kids too and have, since they were babies.
They are now 5 and 9.

But here's the thing: I... as the kids got older, altered the time of which they went to nap. PER their cues.
Now, as far as my son: he ALWAYS, will poop, after eating. BUT... he will NOT NAP UNTIL HE HAS POOPED. Not because he was trying to be irritating to me... but, that is just how his body worked. Thus, I had to observe that and acknowledge that biological pattern in him and then ADJUST his nap time, to until he pooped.
AND he knew that too.
He'd tell me "Mommy I didn't poop yet. Can you wait? Then I will go nap." And he did.
Because he 'taught' me that... that that was his pattern and needs and pooping "schedule."

So, I NEVER had him nap, until he had pooped.
Common sense.
He, would poop, about 1 hour after eating.
Like a clock.
Then he'd nap. All nicely and calmly and wanting to nap.

MANY times, a child will poop right before nap or during nap... because, their body is all relaxed.
Physiology.

My son at least, never did it on purpose just to irk me or to avoid naps.
His body was just that way.
And his naps, as he got older, the timing of it would alter.

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C.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think she is done with naps.

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K.K.

answers from San Diego on

Hello, I would postpone her nap time by reading and doing quiet time things like puzzles and books. That way, she has time for her bowel to start working and then after she has gone, get her ready for her nap.
Good luck with your precious little girl.
K. K.

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