Potty Training Road Block

Wow, my daughter was the same way! She would pee perfectly in the potty but then poo in her pants. I started with having her naked during the am when I knew she needed to go and also implementing REALLY good prizes. She used to get something small and trivial for peeing(in the beginning) and that has phased out, but for the poo IN the potty she got something GREAT for the first 4-5 times. She got a beannie baby of her favorite cartoon (Max and Ruby!) and when she picked the 1st one, she saw that the other one was in the box.... it didn't take long for her to want the other one and go in the potty. Then she got 'cool' dollar store toys to follow, but she loved getting them so much that she was actually grunting and pushing to try to poop EVERY time she would pee. Seriously, she was going a little drop of poop several times a day just to try to get a prize box toy! Well, we slowly reduced the grandeur of the poo prizes to be just a sticker, small book, toothbrush, etc. I don't think prizes should totally end yet, but should now be a surprise and random a few times a week to keep her into it and excited about it, especially if she does well overnight, on an outing or trip etc. My opinion is that if the prize is memorable enough the 1st few times and the excitement of getting something just as great the next time is there, then she will be motivated to make it over this hurdle. Then once the habit is developed of going poo in the potty, you are essentially home free! Keep it exciting, keep positive so there is no negativity associated with poo or potty (or you!) and she will get there. Don't worry and hang on! Maybe also try letting her pick out some special new underwear all by herself that she may feel that she doesn't want to mess them??? Maybe some special kids toilet paper or wipes to use for pooping in the potty? A special new book to look at on the potty? LOL! Just some thoughts....

It might seen a little odd, but let her see you pooping in the potty. Keep up supporting her, oh and try not to have her use the auto flush toilets , they can be unnerving to a little one right there at the level of the noise. Just keep encouraging her. She'll get it.

Hi there,

My nephew has the same problem, and I have always thought of it as a control issue. She wants some control over *something*, and she can control where she goes, so she does.

I would try to give her control over other, unrelated things that are not likely to become potential power struggles, and then just let it ride and have hope that it will probably take care of itself.

I am not sure if she is old enough to wash out her own panties if she poops in them, but I would give her that responsibility too if she is capable.

I would promise her one day a month doing something really special with mommy and/or daddy. going to the beach, the pool, reading books, playing board games, getting an ice cream cone, going for a walk/bikeride, ETC. With no babies around, as long as she poops in the potty.

Pooping in the potty(or NOT in her case), is the only thing she CAN control right now. So GIVE her the control back. if she wants these "special" days, its her choice, her control.

And I am sure you do it already, but explain to her that she is the biggest girl, and you need her to be a big girl. It makes her special and important that mom can trust her not to poop in her panties.

Good luck! ~kim