Toddler Boy Cries If Not Wearing Diaper

Two year old kids have weird quirks. I don't think you need to analyze this, he will grow out of it. Just keep his diaper on him. You can mention it to the doctor next time he's there.

Please stop immediately any attempt to potty train him! He is so very clearly not ready. You need to resolve this distress or discomfort over the diaper first, before pressuring him (or even nicely trying to persuade him) to sit on a potty seat.

Did the crying each time his diaper is off start at about the same time that you introduced the potty and started trying to get him to sit on it bare-bottomed? Think hard -- if you got the potty seat, and this fuss over being diaperless started around the same time, it is very possible that he suddenly associated removing his diaper (even to change it, even if he sees the new diaper in your hand) with his fear and discomfort about the potty. I would put the potty seat away out of sight for now and stop all attempts at using it, and see if that helps.

Also be sure that diaper changes are very fast and that you don't do a lot of talking and comforting during them -- even if he cries when the diaper comes off. If you are slowing down to talk with him to distract him when he cries during a change, don't. Make it swift and silent so he almost has no time to cry. I've seen moms change kids so fast the kid hardly knew what was going on -- though that can't always happen if there's a big poop to wipe up. Still, keep things related to the diaper and changes very short and don't interact a lot or he may start to know instinctively that diaper change time plus a fuss equals more attention from mom.

And remember - he's very young, and has few words. Some young kids say "it hurts" when they aren't referring to pain but to being scared or disliking something. So don't assume that he's in pain-- don't dismiss it either if you see real signs but don't think that "it hurts" means exactly that.

As for the bathtime undressing, save yourself the grief and undress him right there next to the tub so, again, there is very little time that he's naked. Clothes off, whip off the diaper, into the tub he goes. Truly, this is not worth making into a power struggle. Why does he need to walk from his room to the tub undressed anyway?

While you're seeking answers to why he hates this right now, it may be a phase that he's going through where he associates being diaperless with being cold and/or being put on that alien-seeming potty that he hates. He WILL potty train eventually but this is a signal that now is not the time. It is pretty normal for kids to train later than "almost two" and in fact he might be three or even four before he's fully trained. I hope no one including your mom is pressuring you by saying he "should" be trained soon.

Rather than spend time puzzling out the why, just go with it for now and get the potty out of his sight too.

I agree that he's not anywhere near ready for potty training. He may just feel more secure being "bundled up" in the diaper - just make the changes as quick as you can, and wait until the weather gets warm to do some naked running around (which I agree is good for kids). He may have some early recognition of the fact that he's not supposed to pee anywhere but the potty or the diaper, so the in-between parts (like walking from room to bathroom) make him worry that he will disappoint you. Just undress him in the bathroom, plop him in the tub (which should be fun with toys or even kitchen stuff like sieves and funnels), and then put him in a new diaper and clothes/pajamas when done. Ignore the training potty until he asks or until he's closer to 3.

Since he's upset even when you're just changing him is it possible someone that has watched him has messed with him? Kids this age don't really have a....connection to being naked and embarrassed or upset because they don't have any pants on. For them to feel "shame" or becoming upset like you're saying something has happened to them to do that to them.

Just tossing this idea out, he's the perfect age for a person to start training them to do sex things. They grow up thinking it's natural and normal so they never say anything because they don't remember before.

Any person can be an abuser, it's not just dirty men fondling boys, it can be moms, dads, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, neighbors, child care kids, etc....

It's an option and hopefully not one that is in any way a possibility.

Put a diaper on him and forget the potty training!!! He is too young.

He's not ready. Put the diaper back on. Some boys are ready at 2 but not many. Leave the diaper on until he is in the bathroom for bath time. And change him as quick as possible. Next summer start the process. When he is old enough to understand what's going on. You will set him up for total failure of you push this now.

He might really be in pain.
Have the pediatrician check him out asap.
Testicles can retract a bit in the cold when boys are young and I'm wondering if he's having a problem along those lines - maybe have a small hernia or a twisted testicle.

its a phase..diaperless is a new thing..so it "hurts" because they dont have the words to say..i am uncomfortable with this.."elmos potty time" helped us profoundly..elmo explains everything about using the potty in terms a small child can handle.., take the child potty chair shopping, and pick up a few packs of cloth training pants with the child potty,the potty doesnt have to be fancy or expensive, it just has to be child size and the child will use it..throw in a few how to use the potty books and their" lovie" using the childs potty..yes, put the cotton training pants on both the child and the childs "lovie" while watching elmos potty time, "help" their lovie use the childs potty while the child "helps" , then ask the child , do you want to try to use the potty, like"lovie"?..they will make the connection, might take them a few tries, but thats normal..K. h.

Have you tried putting those heavy soft training underpants on him (not the plastic ones, the ones that are all cotton but thick)? I'm NOT suggesting that you start potty training - he's clearly not ready. But those underpants are fluffy and soft and might feel nice on his skin but still a little more breathable than a diaper. If he is ok with those on, wearing them every now and then might be a way to get him used to something in between a diaper and real underpants.