Toddler advice

[Coconuts]

My 2yo DD has been introduced successfully to the potty lately: we talk about it, she sits on it(hasn't gone yet), she likes to flush, she asks about it, she sometimes tells me when she needs a diaper change, etc.

Then a few days ago I noticed she hadn't gone #2 all day, which is very unusual. I have tried to encourage water, fruit juice, fruit. She eats and drinks sometimes, as this has drastically decreased in the last few months, which I know can be normal after 2yo.

Now the last few days, she has been having frequent, soft, formed, brown BM's(sorry if I'm being too gross) and cries every time. I've also noticed her holding her legs together and sqeezing her cheeks and whimpering and crying when she does. I don't think she's constipated because of the condition of her BM's, but I swear she's holding it in. I have tried convincing her to not do this until I'm blue in the face, and I've offered the potty which she refuses.

Any suggestions?

 

[ChrizJen]

We went through the same thing with DD (now 3) when she was potty training. I asked the pediatrician, and she said to keep an eye on it, but that it was fairly normal for a child her age potty training. She said it was probably just mild stress over the potty training situation.
I wouldn't worry too much unless she's just not having BMs at all. She'll get "regulated" again. The potty is a big deal, and can be a somewhat stressful thing for a child. Just keep doing it the way you're doing it. It sounds like you're doing everything right!!
We learned right at the beginning that it was a control issue for DD. Once she knew that SHE was in control of when and where she went, it was smooth sailing from there...We kept the whole potty thing low key and let her take the lead. Just be ready for that "Potty Party" the first time she goes!! That was SOOO much fun!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Stop making potty an issue and let her poop in her diaper. When she is ready she will go in the potty. If she is holding it in like that she is going to cause problems with her digestive system.

 

[indimom]

I would continue to offer low-key potty training as she is willing. She most likely is suffering a little stress related to the potty training. Keep it VERY calm and low key AND keep on top of her BMs.
If she starts holding it long enough that having a BM becomes painful, this will only make potty training harder, as she will try to avoid the discomfort by holding it even longer. As another poster said, children can cause serious digestive problems by "holding it."
You seem to be on the right track. But, if she starts becoming vocal about her lack on interest in potty training or starts holding it for longer periods, I would back off.


Has she done anything on the potty yet??? If not, you might just focus on trying to catch her doing #1. I used to let my little ones sit on the potty chair while watching a video on television (especially if I realized they had been dry for a couple hours and were due to go any time), they would "go" by accident. Once they realized it wasn't scary or painful, they were more relaxed about it and willing to try. Might be worth a try.

 

[Coconuts]

Stop making potty an issue and let her poop in her diaper. When she is ready she will go in the potty. If she is holding it in like that she is going to cause problems with her digestive system.

I didn't make the potty "an issue" and never have pressured her. All I've done is start talking about the potty. I didn't think it would be inappropriate to start talking about the potty to a 2 1/2yo. She asks to sit on it herself and I have never said she can't go in her diaper. In fact I have been encouraging her to go in her diaper since this has been going on and praising her when she does.

 

[AlexandAndysMom]

We are going through somewhat the same thing with my DS (who turns 3 on Monday...). He will go at the babysitters, at grandmas, etc...everywhere but home!

He told us we don't get excited enough about him going! (For the record, we had like an all out party in the bathroom the first time he went...DH dancing around like a monkey, high-fives, etc). He finally told us last night that when he's at home, he doesn't want a pull up (which he has been wearing for 2 months at the sitters) because he's 'our baby'. We decided last night to drop it all for a couple of weeks.

Kids are funny...she'll come around...sounds like you are doing everything just right!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I didn't make the potty "an issue" and never have pressured her. All I've done is start talking about the potty. I didn't think it would be inappropriate to start talking about the potty to a 2 1/2yo. She asks to sit on it herself and I have never said she can't go in her diaper. In fact I have been encouraging her to go in her diaper since this has been going on and praising her when she does.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound snotty. It's so hard to convey tone of voice online. I just meant to let it be for a while and when she is ready she'll do it.

 

[Coconuts]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound snotty. It's so hard to convey tone of voice online. I just meant to let it be for a while and when she is ready she'll do it.

Hakuna matata. I just didn't want anyone to think I was shoving the potty down her throat. Since she's been having this problem, I haven't even talked about sitting on the potty. Believe me this is the 3rd round of potty training for me, so I know that you're just making more work for yourself if you push it. This is especially the case with DD; she is VERY stubborn and I know she will do nothing until she's ready!