Holding in the Poo

Hi,

I know just what your going through. My son will be 4 in Feb and just started pooping on the potty 2 mos ago.(I thought I would never see the day!) He too was fully potty trained and would only poop in a diaper. Long story short, I found out he was afraid of going on the potty because he associated being constipated with going on the potty somehow. He would poop about once every 5 days. Well I bought fiber sure-it's a white powder that you can mix into liquids or foods and it is tasteless, and odorless. So everyday I put 1 teaspoon in a sippy cup of water and stir. It's amazing to see how it clouds up for a minute and then gets clear again, and my son drinks it all down and has no clue! But it works great after a few weeks of being on it he poops regularly almost every day and for him he needed to see that his poop wouldn't hurt anymore now that he is on a regular schedule with pooping everyday and also having it be soft and not rock hard anymore, then he went on the potty for me like a charm! We're still using fiber sure everyday.

Good luck to you

My mom would always turn the water on in the bathroom to relax us and get us "thinking" about going potty. Also, someone once told me that having your kid (or you) rub the tops of his thighs while he sits somehow triggers an impulse to go poop on the potty. (I've never tried it, but if nothing else is working, go for it!) Other than that, just encourage him and tell him not to "push" because he can really hurt his bottom that way and that could end up making him regress if it hurts to go. And finally push lots of fiber foods in his diet, because he will inevitably go that way...whether he makes it to the potty or not! Good luck, let us know what ends up working for you!!!

I don't know if this will help, but I'm trying to potty train my 2 1/2 year old and my Mom suggested that I move the potty into the family room and let my 2 1/2 year old watch a video while he goes. I guess I used to Poo during Sesame Street. My son doesn't get to watch much TV so it's kind of a treat. Maybe it would relax your son and he could go. We also read books while he sits on the potty.

Also, I would check with your doctor to see if he maybe is constipated or needs a stool softener. Maybe it hurts?

I would check with the doctor, to make sure there isn't some sort of bowel obstruction, before doing much more to correct the issue. If there is anything wrong, the doctor can help correct it. And if nothing is wrong, the doc should be able to offer some sound advice.

I am not sure if your son is using an adult toliet or a potty seat, but make sure his feet are on the floor or a stool. Little legs dangling from big potties tighten rectal muscles making pooping difficult.

Other than that, like the other moms suggest try adding more fiber and water to see if that helps.

Good luck!

Make sure that he is drinking plenty of water and have him try eating things like raisins, prunes, and fruit in general. Eat less protein (don't eliminate it though) for a couple days. All these help soften poop and maybe it would come out really easy. Good luck!