2-Year-old Pooping in Bed

Hi
My son did the same thing. He was around the same age, we were also not potty training especially since we had a new baby to take care of. He was so regular every day after breakfast than it changed to after dinner but still during our wake time. Than one day out of the blue he started pooping during his sleep either when he went down for the night or during naps. We were puzzled but we just let it be and it stopped altogether. I think the pooping in the sleep lasted about 6 weeks to 2 months. We always lathered some lanolin or rash cream before he went down for bed to prevent any rashes. We also checked on him while he was asleep to make sure he isn't sleeping in a poop diaper. It does go away thankfully. We never forced the potty on him. He did not want to sit on the potty not even at daycare when all his friends were doing so. Than one day out of the blue he announced he wanted to sit on the potty. So we put him on and he was done. The next time he asked to go on the potty we were with his cousin of the same age and they both had their first potty experience together. He's been pretty good on the potty at home than a few weeks ago it stopped. But in day care he's in underwear and he had few accidents if any; but at home he only wants a diaper on like his infant brother. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I'll just wait patiently until he is ready again.

Hope this helps

Hello A.,
If you know that she's going soon after being put to bed, I would go in and change her rather than let her sleep for hours in a dirty diaper.
I think that sometimes talking about something too much causes anxiety. Kids don't need a lot of preparation. Too much talk, not enough action. If you feel that she's ready for the toilet, then start taking her on a regular basis. I don't believe that using potties or taking kids every now and then does anything useful. If you're ready to go ahead, then bring her every hour and a half or so during the day, and have her sit 5 minutes or so whether she goes or not. If you're not ready to really start, then don't talk about it and keep her in diapers until it is the right time. Dont ask if she "wants" to use the toilet, because you're letting her know it is a choice, her choice. She won't realize 6 months down the line that it's not a choice anymore, it's what's expected.

Good luck

Hi A., You may be right about this being a rebellion. My second child had already been trained when baby sister came along and he totally reverted. She also is more relaxed when sleeping and therefore will move her bowels. Little ones get stressed aabout stuff too. I'm sure the rashes are painful. Remind her that this would not happen if she would try to go in the potty. Tell her that as soom as baby is big enough, he will go on the potty too. I'm not a professional, just a mom of 5. Years ago the doctor suggested we tell my son we were training the little girl. We would sit her on the potty and make a big fuss. (She was a year by this time) When he thought he was now the only baby he went back to the potty. My best, Grandma Mary

It may not be rebellion but that when she really relaxes it comes out. My 2yo is working on potty training too and she does great some days and doesn't use the potty at all other days. My daughter also drinks a lot all day and I have to change her at least once at night. I have a night light I can turn on and put the crib side down and change her right in her bed. You may have to try that for a few night. Also with the potty training I put magazines in the bathroom that when she is sitting I give her one and tell her to look for the... whatever I know she will find in the magazine. Good luck and whatever you do don't tell the child you are upset that she is pooping at night. She won't understand that it is hurting her but only that she shouldn't poop and that could cause bigger problems! A.

I babysat a little girl who started to do the same thing at this age. I think part of it is wanting to be alone to do her business, but also it is when her body is finally calmed down without distraction. 2 year olds are very busy little people who don't want to slow themselves down. I would try putting her on the potty before naptime. If she still doesn't go then, or resists, then go in after a few minutes of her being in bed and check her diaper. I wouldn't wake her to change her diaper, but try to get to her before she drifts off to sleep.
Your daughter may or may not be ready for potty training, but this seems like a good time to start a routine of going before naptime and bedtime.

My daughter did the same thing. Sometimes I would luck out and she goes before I lay her down for a nap.

I started noting the time she usually goes and lay her down after that for a nap. (Between 2-3pm)She ends up sleeping for 3-4 hours after she poops and only one hour if she poops in her sleep. So yeah..I wait until she goes.

Nanc

It sounds like she has an anxiety about this strange thing (potty) and the talk surrounding it. Why havent you introduced her to the potty? Sit her on it for a few minutes every hour or so. Eventually she will go in it and get the idea. There is so much stress these days on parents about the proper way to potty train that the child picks up on it and wonders what is wrong. Then we have 4 year olds on ads singing about how they are "big kids now." Good Grief!!
Did you ask your baby if she wanted to sit in her car seat or high chair? Did you stress over it? No you just plopped her in her high chair and fed her. Well if you take the same approach to the potty she will too.