| Author |
Message |
    
ipek (Unregistered Guest)
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 02:53 pm: | |
Dear Narmin,
My daughter has been using toilet for pee-pee since she is 18 months old. Now she is over 3 years old and never go to poo-poo. She says she is afraid of it. Now she thinks she is a baby and started to use her diaper for pee-pee too. I really lose my temper sometimes. What should I do? If you give me suggestions, I'd be glad. Thank you, Ipek Celen |
Narmin Parpia
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 02:56 pm: | |
I feel your frustration. If I understand you correctly, your child is having no problem going poo in her diaper but will not go in the potty. If this is the case, and you are certain you are not dealing with a medical issue such as constipation or encopresis (you may want to consult your pediatrician), then you need to break the positive association she has apparently formed with diapers and the negative association she has likely formed with going poo in the potty.
Your daughter's fear is not uncommon, and it is very real to her. Because this has gone on so long, you might need to take a step back and re-approach the situation slowly and delicately. In your situation some parents have found it helpful to use the following steps:
1. Encourage your child to poop in the bathroom (in her diaper).
2. Once you have established this as a routine (3 or 4 days), try having her sit (on the floor, on the potty with the lid closed - wherever she is comfortable) with her diaper on while having a bowel movement.
3. Once she has mastered going poo while sitting in the bathroom move her to the potty with the lid open and let her poo in the diaper while on the potty.
4. Now comes the big step. After she is comfortable sitting on the potty and going poo in her diaper, try removing the diaper for the next BM. If your child is not comfortable try cutting a hole in the diaper or leaving the diaper open.
You basically want to work your child up to the point of using the potty by taking small steps. Remember, her behavior is based on fear. Think about how you react when you are afraid. You have to enable your child to get over her fear. You know your child best, so adapt these techniques based on her needs. Be patient and you will both get through this.
Thank you for your question. We look forward to hearing from you again as your daughter progresses.
Good luck!
Narmin |
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