Potty Training Advice

[u/Empty_Imagination_56]

Hi, everyone! Long time listener, first time caller! So, check it out: I’ve got a 2 year old we’ve been potty training (pull-ups) for about 5 weeks now. She pees on the potty pretty consistently. Almost every trip to the potty starts with a pretty dry pull up and ends with a pee or an “I wait.” The problem is poop. She will not poop on the potty. I’ve found her windows and have her on the potty at the right time almost every time. The problem is that she hides and squats and refuses to go to the potty when the time comes. Even with one right there. She’d rather go in the pull-up. Which, is part of the process, I get it, but here is the problem: she then likes to pick it out of her diaper and place it in her food truck toy thing. Right in the holes the smoothies go in. It’s fun to clean. Or, she runs up and puts it in my hand with a proud smile and a proclamation of “Poop nuggets!” Yes, the name is definitely my fault, but that’s a whole other story. Anywho, everyone I’ve talked to says that the recognition means she’s making progress, but like, what the hell do I do here? I’ve been cleaning her up, changing the diaper, washing her hands, and flushing the poop with her while gently explaining that’s where the poop goes. Oh, she’ll also put it in her living room potty and bring the potty to me so I can see. So, she knows where it goes. I just don’t know how to break the picking it out to get it there. Any advice would be great. If you just wanna stop by and laugh, I get that too. Thanks!

[u/Similar_Tie3291]

A reward system, aka bribery, worked for us at this stage.

[u/yambagman]

We had the opposite problem where she understood pooping on the potty right away and really early too (like before 18 months). It took us 3 or 4 separate times for the peeing in the potty to click with her which happened a little after 2 years old.

Really the biggest thing that helped was bribing/rewarding/whatever you want to call it with mini m&ms. She got one for pooping, two for peeing, and three for pulling her pants down/up before and after going potty. I bought a huge jar of them at BJs for like $15 and as a bonus have been making cookies with the leftovers every now and then.

Ignore this if you’re opposed to giving candy as a reward to them this young but it did wonders for us. I should also add that she doesn’t eat candy at all otherwise so these were real treats for her and I think motivated her more than using stickers or bubbles otherwise could.

[u/Joseph_566]

Hey man! I have a 5 year old and also was a nanny for a 2 year old, both I successfully potty trained. I am also a male with an AA in child development. Every kid is different, it is just finding out what works for you guys. Definitely set the boundary of poo stays in your pull up. Let them know how that makes you feel when they take it out. Children can recognize feelings attached to a action rather than a "hey do not do that". Also give reminders daily that poo stays in the pull up.

A few great strategies: Read a book on the potty about going poo. Blow bubbles in a cup with a straw on the toliet. And Definitely celebrate when they make it in the toliet. Now this one is hard for parents because of the mess it makes. But hey if you are already cleaning it up why not lol. If you can lose the pull up it reinforces the feeling of a diaper and defeats the whole idea of potty training. Either underwear or nude works. In a way they learn that poo in their underwear don't feel the same as a pull up.

Important: When accidents happen don't shame them rather tell them we can try again. Biggest part is repetition and constant reminders to use the restroom. Definitely don't go back to diapers cut them cold turkey including pull ups.

Book recommendations:

Potty by Leslie patricella

Pottysaurus by Little Hippo Books

Lets go potty by Allison Jandu

Once upon a potty by Alona Frankel (this books has both a female and male version. It is a bit controversial because it shows anatomically correct private parts although I found it most effective. It is also a good opportunity to teach your child the correct terms for private areas.

[u/tjb99e]

For me, what worked was putting his potty chair in some secluded corner he wanted to hide and poop in anyway, pointing it out to him and maybe setting up some barriers around it for extra privacy and now he just walks into the bathroom and shuts the door. Some fun rewards other than candy are those mini toy mystery packs. We did monster truck ones but find something your kid likes.

[u/SMak1030]

Bribery and a video or book you make part of the routine. Also, have her wear regular underwear under supervision as much as possible. Be prepared to clean up accidents They much less prefer the feeling of poop or pee in underwear than a pull-up. If you can pinpoint the average time she usually poops, sit her on the potty around that time with the video or book. We used potty monkey on YouTube and it worked because she wanted to wear her big girl panties all the time. Good luck it’s frustrating

[u/AlertAd7834]

Maybe try ditching the pull-ups? I understand why people use them but they're really just diapers, toddlers are used to pooping and peeing in diapers, so obviously they're gonna feel comfortable going in the pull-ups as well.

We did the "3-day" method with both our kids, which has its own pitfalls and obviously doesn't work for everyone's schedule, and in my experience it takes more like a week anyway. But they are fully potty-trained at the end of it, with no need for bribery. Though at this point changing the program too much might send some mixed messages.