Potty Training Woes

QM · 01-14-2009, 07:29 PM

Last week I started potty training my 27 month old daughter. This week it has turned on me. Here's my story...

As of last week, whenever DD2 said "Poo! Poo!" I'd sit with her on her potty until she pooped.

She started resisting the toilet jumping on and off the potty, but since I had her diaper off she had to go in the potty. (We've been practicing..."Where does poo poo go? Where does pee pee go") The whole going-to-the-bathroom process took hours in total last week to try to teach her where she should go and how to do it. I thought it was her defiant and stubborn nature that made her put up a fight, but she'd eventually go pee or poo in the toilet and we'd dance around the potty and I'd reward her with chocolate chips.

The downfall is...until 6:45 p.m. this evening DD2 hadn't pooped in 5 days!

During her bath this evening she started crying "poo poo" and when I put her on the toilet she'd fuss and carry on until finally she went. (It definitely wasn't 5 days worth!!!...while I type DH is at the store buying prunes.)

Now that we've started this potty training process, what should I do? If she's going to hold her poo for 5 days because she's resisting the potty, do I now tell her to go poo in her diaper? I know the answer is no. She's very bright and knows where poo should go. She doesn't want to go poo in her potty and she doesn't want to go poo in her diaper.

Any and all potty training tips would be greatly appreciated at this time.

**guest002** · 01-14-2009, 07:37 PM

I did the battle with my ds when he was little. He just wasn't ready and the more of a battle it became just made it worse. If you put PT on the back burner and let her go in her diaper that might help move things along so to speak.

QM · 01-14-2009, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Quiltin' Mama

...while I type DH is at the store buying prunes...

DD2 is now eating cut-up prunes calling it candy. I must have given her at least 20 cut up prunes! How long do you think it'll take before I see 'results'?

**ravenmoonmother** · 01-14-2009, 07:54 PM

when we got to the potty training stage we made a big thing about them being big now. We got them big boy/girl pants, read the little princess book about the potty and didn't really worry about it. Our youngest daughter took longer than her sister but she got there in the end.
She did prefer to go to the toilet on her toilet seat than the potty.
You could try getting her dolls a potty so they can go together. Oh and my daughter always liked the applause when we said daddy, or nanan (or anyone else who was around) look what she did in her potty....cue lots of clapping.

**guest002** · 01-14-2009, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by Quiltin' Mama

DD2 is now eating cut-up prunes calling it candy. I must have given her at least 20 cut up prunes! How long do you think it'll take before I see 'results'?

Don't give her any more! It can take up to a day. If you give her too much she can go from one problem to the other if you KWIM.

**ravenmoonmother** · 01-14-2009, 07:57 PM

no idea how long but you could try sitting her on the potty and sitting with her reading her stories so she stays put for a while just incase

**LastDragonfly** · 01-14-2009, 08:05 PM

Well, I bet it takes till the middle of the night to take effect and you'll be woken out of your peaceful slumber.

Oh girl, don't give her anymore!

As for advice on PT? she just maynot be ready. Be prepared for lots of discussion about it before she makes it a habit.

**Rosebush3** · 01-14-2009, 08:11 PM

She'll be ready when she's ready. She's still young yet and she will get it on her own terms, I feel that pushing the issue may cause a lot of problems, holding it in leading to constipation is just one. Giving her massive amounts of prunes to cause potentially explosive diarrhea that she can't control probably wont do her any favors either. I've seen the results of a few children who were pushed into potty training and it wasn't pretty. I go along with the suggestion to just put her diapers back on her and let her relax, don't make a big deal about it. Deal with it when she is more ready.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-14-2009, 08:26 PM

I'm a firm believer in waiting until a child is ready. It sounds like she isn't. I wouldn't give her anymore prunes either. You're probably going to be wishing you hadn't given her 20 either. Make sure you have lots of pampers.

Just relax and let it happen when it happens. We sometimes rush our kids into things they aren't ready for and then a battle begins, which is definitely what you don't want.

**frugalbabe** · 01-14-2009, 09:25 PM

I had two kids that pt'd in a day and two that I was pretty sure they would reach their adult years in diapers! What I find works is put her right in the panties or the training undies and when she pees or whatever have her help you clean it up, don't scold, just treat it matter-of-factly. Than bring her to the potty and have her sit right after meals make it fun and lighthearted but be consistent. And when you think she is ready don't go from diaper to pull-ups etc pick a few days you can stay around the house and go right to the panties...and maybe have her pick some pretty big girl ones out that she can wear when she is consistent. Good luck!

QM · 01-14-2009, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by frugalbabe

...What I find works is put her right in the panties or the training undies and when she pees or whatever have her help you clean it up, don't scold, just treat it matter-of-factly. Than bring her to the potty and have her sit right after meals make it fun and lighthearted but be consistent...

You make it sound easy. You haven't met my daughter...

I know it will be easier when she shows more signs of readiness. I'm going to ease back on potty training a bit. I think this will help matters in the end.

**frugalbabe** · 01-14-2009, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Quiltin' Mama

You make it sound easy. You haven't met my daughter...

I know it will be easier when she shows more signs of readiness. I'm going to ease back on potty training a bit. I think this will help matters in the end.

I think you're absolutely right! All kids are different like I said two of mine were so stubborn when it came to potty training. You're the mama you know best...here's wishing you lots of patience and humor until that wonderful diaperless day finally comes!!

**homesteadmamma** · 01-14-2009, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by Quiltin' Mama

You make it sound easy. You haven't met my daughter...

I know it will be easier when she shows more signs of readiness. I'm going to ease back on potty training a bit. I think this will help matters in the end.

You're right. It will happen when she is ready.

**SHOPGIRL** · 01-15-2009, 12:02 AM

I'm in the midst of potty training right now. It's been a gradual process for my girls. One of my girls was very interested in potty training before two, but now she just wants to play in the bathroom. What's worked for me are books. I leave books in the bathroom and she immediately sits down to read. My other daughter wasn't interested at all until about a month ago. She usually goes when I take her in the bathroom. She liked the idea of using "big girl pants". Right now, my girls are 26 months. So, I'd back off for awhile. Oh, and we have the book, "Max's potty". That seemed to help, plus talking about going potty, etc....

So, how did the prunes work out for you?

**brook** · 01-15-2009, 02:20 AM

chocolate constipates. however, change the chocolate chips to M&M's, they are prettier! LOL! perhaps 1 M&M for pee and 2 for poo!

if you allow your child to have yogurt, try 'activia' can't hurt.

and.... be patient! she is just 2, but keep bribing, dancing, praising, and have a glass of wine! (you not her!) <wink> oh and yes, big girl panties (pull-ups)

honestly.. I do not miss those days!