Hello!

I am wanting any advice on getting my 3/12 year old to do a #2 on the toilet? His twin sister has mastered the art of toilet training, but Master 3 1/2 year old flatly refuses to do #2 on the toilet. He will stand up and do #1 in the toilet. We have a toddler seat and a potty, but he still refuses.


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  • My boy was 4yrs old when he started to do poos on the toilet. My 6yr old has Down Syndrome and is not toilet trained fully. She goes in pull ups to school. Does sometimes a pee on the toilet but no poos. At home she prefers to do poos on the potty. It’s hard for her to release herself on the toilet. A small toilet seat, grips to hold on to and a toilet step do help. We often sing a song or use the iPad to play a video about toileting on You tube kids


  • I guess it’s just a matter of patience.


  • Boys can take longer. He’s nervous or conscious of it.
    Developmentally takes time for some children.

    ..
    Try a sticker chart. Talk about poo positively. Praise.


  • My 3 1/2 yr old is exactly the same. I’m sick of cleaning bits of poo out of undies. I can’t offer any help as I too am looking for answers, but I can reassure you that you are not alone.. I’m hoping it clicks soon like it did for wee’s, and he just starts going….


  • We got our son to start with sticker rewards. He loved stickers so was a great motivator. My other son loved smiley faces so he could draw a smiley face on his chart ever time he used the toilet. Best of luck.


  • Have you tried a sticker chart? Lots of nappy free time at home?


  • I tried everything with my daughter to no avail, so I really think when they are ready it will just happen,. Patience is the key


  • I think just give him time. My son was the same, would wee on the toilet no worries but hide in a corner for poos. We knew he needed to go it as he would go hide so I kept asking if he wanted to go on the toilet, the answer was no everytime. Then one day something clicked and he said yes. Just don’t push him.


  • All i can say is don’t push her, she will do number 2’s when she is ready and feels safe. Then praise her when she finally does – good luck


  • Call me bad… But I bribed my kids with chocolate… And it eventually worked. I read that children feel that they are losing part of themselves when they do a #2. The sensation is scary for them, like their insides are falling out. Once I read that i think it helped me support my kids ‘emotionally’ through the whole process. Telling them that its safe and ok and nothing bad is happening to their bodies etc.


  • I unfortunately dont have any concrete solutions for you, however reading or singing while on the toilet helped my eldest relax enough to do #2. Girls seem to be much easier to train than boys and most kids hate the feel of pooing on the toilet. Perhaps put some paper in the bowl first too, to avoid splashback??
    Rewards for doing it on the toilet & when he goes in his nappy / pants, take him to the toilet & empty the contents in, explaining to him that poos go in the toilet.


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