Took pullups away...not pooping

I decided to take the pullups away from Sarah and see if she would poop in the potty. We are now on day 3 of no poop. I know she needs to poop, she has told me numerous times. We've sat her on the big potty and the little potty, but she just won't go. We've tried several different bribes, but nothing. Is there some natural things that I can do to make sure that she doesn't get backed up? She's been eating lots of veggies and juice however, I'm just concerned about constipation more than anything. I really don't want to go back to pullups and I think she will go eventually. I mean I think it's about time!! What do you think?? She's not needed a pullup at night since we took them away, and she is completely day trained as well and has been since October of last year.

 

Gosh, these kids can really stress us out with potty training!
I'm a little bit confused about when she was using the pull up. Was she only using it at night, but now won't poop during the day?

Honestly, it sounds like a control issue. And while I understand your desire to be done with the pullups. I would not want to face the possible power struggle/ consequences of taking them away too early. I know she is old enough/ *should* be able to be pull up free. But, obviously, her actions are showing that she is not quite there just yet. I would go back to the pull ups for another month or two, not mention it or make a big deal about it to her, and try againg a little later. I know this isn't ideal, but persoanlly, I wouldn't push it. It could lead to behavior problems and prolonger potty training issues, accidnets, constipation, etc. Just not worth it!

Good luck! (And know that this doesn't last forever. I'll remind you next year when you are posting how to ge them to stop wanting to use the potty everywhere you go! )

 

She only used a pullup to poop. She would come to me and say, "I need a pullup," go poop, and then come to me to wipe her up. So, she knows when she needs to poop, she just won't poop in the potty. That's why I wanted to take them away. She totally knows when she needs to poop because she comes and gets me or goes and gets a pullup and puts in on herself. Then when she is done pooping, comes to me to clean her up. But both my husband and I are wondering if we shouldn't just go back to giving her a pullup to poop in, but I kind of feel like if she can come to me and tell me she needs a pullup, she should be able to go in the potty.

 

Have you asked her why she doesn't want to poop in the potty?

 

Yes, but she just tells me, "I no poop in the potty" I've thought it was just because she is timid or scared and have tried to get Allison to help me by telling her that it doesn't hurt, and Allison is really helpful and tries to encourage Sarah, but it just isn't working. Do you think we should just go back to using the pullups for pooping or at least give it a few more days?

 

Having had to do enemas on both of my kids [one multiple times] to "clean 'em out", I would suggest talking to the Ped to ensure there is not a physical problem. Both of mine had severe constipation issues -- one was like you DD and would only poop in the diaper at nap/bed. He was going several times a day so I was totally surprised that there was a physical problem. DD was still in diapers. After the enemas, we continued with Miralex and have not had a problem since. They both eat TONs of fruits and veggies, but that was not enough. Neither will drink juice, but Ped did say at one point to try pear juice if they will tolerate it. Apparently it is pretty sweet and lots of kids don't like it.

Best of luck!

 

This is the one battle I always lose. I have seen kids seriously medically ill over constipation. (And yes, it's a control issue). Personally I'd hand over the pullups. She'll get trained when SHE wants to. (Sorry, I know it's miserable. I HATE potty training.)

 

My ds did the same thing but after 2 days he suddenly HAD to go and went in the potty. He's been going in the potty ever since. She is a stubborn one. Have you offered her a reward if she goes poopy in the potty?

 

You could try lining the little potty with the pull up, rip down the sides of the pull up and lay it out inside the potty. I know it sounds odd but it does work with some kids and if she will go on the potty like that then after a few times you can have her try without it. Failing that I would try to think of something that will be a big incentive for her. Either a treat/present or something she wants to do (like dance lessons) that she can once she starts pooping in the potty.

Honestly though if nothing worked in another day or two I would probably let her use the pull ups. It might be worth talking to your pedi too.

 

QUOTE(Twin nanny @ May 26 2009, 01:12 PM) [snapback]1328480[/snapback]
You could try lining the little potty with the pull up, rip down the sides of the pull up and lay it out inside the potty. I know it sounds odd but it does work with some kids and if she will go on the potty like that then after a few times you can have her try without it. Failing that I would try to think of something that will be a big incentive for her. Either a treat/present or something she wants to do (like dance lessons) that she can once she starts pooping in the potty.

Honestly though if nothing worked in another day or two I would probably let her use the pull ups. It might be worth talking to your pedi too.


Thanks, that's an interesting idea. We ended up giving her back her pullup and of course she immediately went and poop. This was day four of no poop and as soon as I told her we bought pullups, it was thirty minutes and she was asking for one to poop in. I really think this is just an issue of being either scared of the potty, or pure stubburness, but I was too afraid of her being too constipated. Her poor belly was so tight from not pooping. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. My husband and I have decided that at the end of every pack of pullups we will give it another whirl. Maybe we'll win one of the battles