My 3yo is 100% independent potty trained with wee’s, has been for a while. But he has refused to go #2 in anything but a nappy - he will not go on the potty or the big toilet. This went on for ages, I tried to wait for him to grow out of it but he just wasn’t. We ended up going cold turkey on nappies. It’s been 4 days - he stays dry overnight (which he usually did anyway) but hasn’t gone #2 in going on 5 days. I’m starting to get worried - he eats tons of fibre & I don’t think it’s constipation - he’s literally just holding it because he has this fear of going on the potty. I’m debating caving & just giving him nappies back because surely this could cause some sort of health issue if he just refuses to poo for 5 days plus?
Has anyone been through similar/have any advice? I’ve tried bribing him with treats, showing him when I do it (lol), telling him all his friends do it, being encouraging & talking about how there’s nothing to be afraid of. Nothing sticks.
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Don’t give in! You can call your local nurse line for a proper dosage just give him lots of miralax! (1/2 cap full mixed into 6oz of any liquid).
His body will have no choice but to go (and it’s not damaging)

Laxatives😂

We had this liquid vitamin that I stopped giving my son ages ago coz every time I did he did diarrhoea….(looking on the box it contains sorbates lol which causes a laxative effect)…. In this situation I would pull that out and give him some much needed “vitamins” lol. He’ll have no choice but to go coz it’ll be flying out of his bum he won’t be able to hold it 😂 (brand is Pentavite btw)

Aww bless him. Sounds like it's been a long time since he used a potty for poop and he's scared. I'm so glad for you you did cold turkey as I think this is not something that would get better with time. I would do lots of play and explaining to get him comfortable with poop. Encourage him to watch you poop and to cheer for you when you go and let him flush for you. You can get one of those squishy fake poop toys for breaking the ice.
When my son uses the toilet for no 2 he likes to look at a book with very detailed drawings. Almost where's wally level detailed but slightly more simple than wheres wally as my son is 26mo. Lots of things to spot basically and I can ask him to point to particular vehicles on the page. The book is either on thr floor or I balance it on a potty facing the toilet or the lowest shelf on the bathroom shelf. Also offer holding hands, grunt along side, or privacy. My son doesn't want to poop in front of the daycare staff 🙈 but he does fine at home and asks to go.

And if its been 5 days I would also see a doctor for a prescription so it doesn't turn into a long term issue 🙏

Our pediatrician recommended Miralax every day. Half a capful in 4-8 oz of water per day lasts for several months because my son is afraid to poop after an episode of constipation.

We had a box of toys and books that were only for whilst on the toilet, this kept my daughter on the toilet long enough to actually do a poo.

Ok as someone whose child is a chronic witholder please please just offer the nappy. It’s not a problem at this stage, but getting into a habit of withholding definitely is. I’d recommend a copy of the book ‘stool withholding’ by Sophia Ferguson if you want to understand more x

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My 3 year old is wearing nappies at bedtime only and this is the only time she will do a poo she purposely waits until her nappy is on .

There’s a book called “poo goes to poo land”, I’ve heard it can be helpful in this situation. Something to do with being scared of parting with part of them or something..
Waiting for the nappy to poop in is really common. My eldest was the same, and would only poop when his nappy went on at nap time. We just left it whilst we focussed on wee and he got over it himself, but sounds like it’s been quite a while for your boy (it took a few weeks for us).

Ms.Rachel Potty Training Videos!

I was doing anything to get him to poop in the potty but her videos really helped, anything that specially talks about poop to break the stigma!