My 27 month old daughter suddenly has developed an intense aversion to going to the bathroom -- specifically, having a poop. She's still in diapers and we've been trying to get her to use the potty (to no avail) but haven't been pushing it. But I actually don't think that this has anything to do with it. She's crying, running around holding her bottom, saying she doesn't want "poo to come out". This has been going on for a couple of days.
At one point tonight poo did come out and it looked normal -- no constipation or anything. I'm not sure what to make of it all. I don't know if it hurts -- we haven't been eating anything spicy -- so I'm not sure if it's just a behavior thing or if it's possibly medical. Anyway, it's a long shot, but I thought I'd send this question out to see if someone has had similar experiences.
Thanks for any suggestions.
You posted this issue in the divorce section, so I'm assuming that your are going through a divorce. In many children that I've treated, I have found it common for kids going through a trauma( like divorce) to show their unhappiness in holding in stool. It's one of the only things that they can control. Try talking to her about her feelings about the divorce. I hope this helps.
This is quite normal at her age. Kids go through this stage and there are all sorts of theories as to why, but so far I haven't seen anything that is a for sure answer as to what causes them to do it. Your daughter is pretty young yet, and you have plenty of time to get her potty trained. I would relax with it. Just keep on offering her the opportunity to go on the potty, but don't get upset when she goes in the diaper, and don't make a big issue of her saying she doesn't want the poo to come out, since there's no indication of a bowel problem.
Read her the book, Once Upon a Potty (There's a girl and a boy book) by Alona Frankel.
S
My daughter had the same adversion (fear) many years ago but we worked through it using two basic methods; books and a Playdoh Fun Factory. It may seem a bit gross for some but children don't always understand the way the body works and if you felt you were losing something important, that you might need the prospect would be scary. There are books about bodily functions that she might benefit from. I think we read one called "It's time to go Poop." Then other times when we would play with the Playdoh, we would talk about how your poop comes out. How mommy's poop comes out, daddy's, grandparent's...make it seem normal and everyday. It worked for my daughter. I hope the suggestions help.
I have been going through a divorce and my 3 year old son refused to poop in the toilet. He would go hide and go poo in his pants. I took him to the DR to find out he has been withholding, do to all the changes and it was the only way for him to have control over something. I am not sure if this is the same instance, but I hope this info helps. My son has recently lost his dad due to divorce, who only visits 2 hours every other saturday. Mom has a new boyfriend, who spends a lot of time with mom, but is more of a father to my son, than his own dad.
