What do you do when your 3-year-old won’t poop on the potty? A 3 year old or toddler holding poop is a more common problem than you might think. We have some real world solutions to helping kids master pooping on the potty, what is the best position to poop and how to keep up with the good habit of pooping regularly.
How to Help Your Child Poop on the Potty
We reached out to our readers, FB community and fellow moms to ask what they would do in this stressful parenting situation. They had some amazing advice that I hadn’t thought of…so check out all this potty training advice from moms, dads and caregivers who have been there!
Potty Training Poop Issues
Recently, one of my clients brought up that her child would pee but not poop on the potty, too. As parents, we worry about constipation issues, so we want this handled as soon as possible.
I understand!
I had a child that was completely pee-trained for over 9 months but still was not pooping on the potty. It is a huge hassle that kept me stressed out for nearly a year. The good news is that there are strategies to try that I wasn’t aware of…and even in my situation he finally did poop on the potty regularly!
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How to Teach Toddlers to Poop on The Potty
1. Let’s blow bubbles!
I have heard that having them blow bubbles while on the potty makes it harder for them to hold it. Maybe next time she brings the diaper, give her some bubbles and head to the potty.”
-Megan Dunlop
2. Let her Hide
Let your child hide in the bathroom. Give him/her a flashlight and a book, then turn out the lights and let your child try to go. Many children feel better if it is dark and they are alone when they are trying to go poop.
3. Goodbye Diapers
Get rid of the diapers in the house, then there is no other option. Also try doing something special, like an M&M, for going on the potty.
-Amber
4. Poop Reward System
Make your own printable potty reward chart.
I draw an ice cream cone with 2 “Scoops” on it. When our daughter goes poop, she colors in a scoop. When both are colored in, we go for ice cream. I gradually add more scoops.
-Kati S
5. Take it Seriously
When a child won’t poop on the potty, it can often be interpreted as a power struggle, but it might be more serious.
Ask your doctor about trying Miralax and also have her sit on the potty throughout the day for ten to fifteen minutes. I make it a nicer experience.
-Mandy
6. Poop in the Diaper
If it is a small kids’ potty, take the top off and put the diaper inside of the collection bowl. Make sure the little one sees you. Then put the seat back on and have them sit down. It is a compromise between the potty and the diaper. Once the child gets the idea, eliminate the need for the diaper.
-Brandy M
7. Poop Bribes
I am usually not in favor of bribery with kids, but that is because it sets up expectations over time for rewards. When it is a one-time thing like potty training…something that they will be doing on their own after it becomes a habit, then I think you do whatever it takes to get poop in that potty! Kerry agrees…
We went to the store and picked out a toy my son would want. We talked about how once he pooped on the potty, he could have the toy. It took some time but it worked!
-Kerry R
8. Poop as a Colorful Experience
I used to color the water in the potty with food coloring. I would tell my daughter who had constipation issues, that her little cute poopies want to swim in the pink water. It worked overtime!
-Alana U
9. Best Position for Poop
I don’t know that anyone understood the importance of toilet positioning until the Squatty Potty craze. Through their advertisements we all learned how it is easier to poop with knees above hips. There is an adjustable Squatty Potty set that may be high enough for your child to get in that position.
Get a little stool for her to put her feet on. I have heard a squatting type position helps with pooping too.
-Ashley P
10. Poop in the Potty Song
Make up a potty song! Here is the one that I used to sing to the tune of the ABC song…
You go poop in potty now. You are a big girl and you know how. You will get a special treat. Mommy will be so happy! You go poop in the potty now. You are a big girl and you know how.
-Moms everywhere who now have this stuck in their head say thanks {giggle}
More Potty Training Information
If you are really ready, we suggest this book, Potty Train in a Weekend. We’ve heard great reviews & read it ourselves & love it.
It is easy, to the point & gets the job done quickly!
Plus, it’s a best-selling book that walks you through every area of potty training.
I would love to hear your suggestions when your child won’t poop on the potty!
More Potty Tips, Tricks & Advice
- Grab this really cool toilet step stool to make it easier for kids to use the potty!
- Toilet training? Get a Mickey Mouse Phone call!
- What to do when your child is scared of the potty.
- Toddler potty training tips from moms who have survived it!
- Portable potty cup for kids can be soooo helpful when you have to be in the car for a long time.
- What to do when your child is bedwetting after potty trained.
- Help for potty training special needs.
- Grab this target potty training…genius!
- How to potty train a reluctant and strong willed child.
- And finally what to do when your 3 year old won’t potty train.
Hang in there! You’ve got this! Poop will happen…
When this happened to me I literally thought I was the only one. But after the feedback from this article, it is way more common than you might think to have a 3 year old pee but not poop on the potty…even for months. Love these solutions to getting a 3 year old fully potty trained.