Potty Training: Overcome Emotional Constipation

Resistance to Potty Training

If your child has a hard time with bowel movements, they may show resistance to potty training. It’s because they associate potty training with pain. 

Some children may hold their bowels because they’re afraid of experiencing pain again. This is also true for children who’ve had urinary tract infections. They may refuse to urinate in the toilet or go to the bathroom because they associate the action and environment with pain.

Other possible sources of discomfort are the loud noise of the toilet, the surprise of water splashing up during a bowel movement, or even the slimy texture of hand soap for hand hygiene. 

Tips to overcome potty training resistance…

• Take a break. If your child shows resistance to potty training, take a break for 3- 4 weeks. Try it again for 3-4 weeks and see how things go. Be patient and gentle with yourself and your child. It’s a process.

   

• Make the bathroom a positive experience. Get some fun soap for hand hygiene, colorful decorations to look up at, and books or toys to help pass the time while waiting on the loo. 

   

• Consider the size of the toilet. Have a child-sized seat for comfort– some fit over existing toilet seats. A child-sized toilet is another option–it makes it easier for your child to get on and off the toilet independently. Make sure that the child is supported with a footstool so that they feel safe to be on the potty. This is a big issue for some children.

• Positive reinforcement. Use verbal encouragement when your child participates. It helps your child continue participation in the potty training process. Offer verbal praise for sitting on the potty and trying to go even if nothing comes out. Sticker charts or other rewards when they make it to the potty in time help with positive reinforcement.

   

• Be attentive to signs of or complaints of pain. If your child hasn’t had a complete bowel movement for three days or more, it may be time to up the fiber and fluids or visit a pediatrician. If your child complains of burning or itching during urination, they may have a urinary tract infection and will need to see a pediatrician.

   

• If your child is female, instruct your child to wipe front to back. This will prevent the bacteria in poop from going into the vagina and urethra. According to Mayo Clinic, wiping front to back helps prevent urinary tract infections.

Never force your child to sit on any toilet or participate in potty training. Encourage, explain the purpose, use positive reinforcement, and invite them to use the potty. But never force. 

Never force potty participation. It’s not worth the emotional constipation for either of you.  (READ MORE)