3 and 1/2 yr.old won't poop on potty-help

my son is 3 1/2 and smart as a whip. Blatantly told me he won't poop on the potty. any suggestions? I've tried everything, rewards,charts, kept it very positive. Everywhere I read says he'll just do it when he's ready, but i'm totally frustrated.

Re: 3 and 1/2 yr.old won't poop on potty-help

does he wear a pull up and use that?

there are poop books u can read him to get more comfortable. also have u or dh show him, may ease any fears. i also used a special toy (mac truck) he could play with after he pooped and we used that for a while. he only got it for pooping in the potty.

he will do it when he's ready so try not to stress him.

Message edited 5/14/2010 3:51:52 PM.

Re: 3 and 1/2 yr.old won't poop on potty-help

My son would not either. We tried for months. We took the diaper off completely and he held it in for a week. We had to give him prune juice and put the diaper back on him so he could go. We tried everything, and it was really stressful for all of us. Finally, we just set a timer and had him sit every night on the potty for five minutes- no pressure, he just had to sit. After a few days he went and has been going ever since. Whether it was the timer or he was finally just ready, I don't know, but I do know you cannot pressure them to go.

Re: 3 and 1/2 yr.old won't poop on potty-help

Try giving him a book and closing the door for some privacy.

That's what worked for my DD.

Re: 3 and 1/2 yr.old won't poop on potty-help

We are dealing with the same thing from my DD who is 3 yrs, 2 mos. My dr. suggested Miralax, because she holds it in (she had one very painful poop and she's traumatized).

My daycare provider suggested that we just leave the issue alone- don't get annoyed when she poops in the pull up, etc. She's using the potty to poop at daycare, so crossing my fingers!

Good luck!

Re: 3 and 1/2 yr.old won't poop on potty-help

Thanks everyone! All the advice is great. I'll keep trying and be patient. It's the most annoying b/c everytime he poops at preschool, I have to go there and change him!! I wanna try and have this done by Sept. for sure. Guess we'll wait and see. Love this site- I'm new to it and everyone is so great!

Re: 3 and 1/2 yr.old won't poop on potty-help

MY dd went pee pee on the potty for months before pooping. Finally we did the whole bribery thing with going to the candy store to buy a lollypop. It toally worked. There was something about making the big deal and going to the store that a bag of lollypops couldnt quite too