If she's scared of the splash, make it into a game. Let her crumple up some toilet paper and throw it into the water, then she can try to make the poop land on the paper. It also cuts down or eliminates the splash.

Make sure that she sits forward on the donut, and her cheeks are spread. If her cheeks are pressing together, she'll have to strain to go. If she's sitting back too far on the donut, her bottom might be touching the back, which also won't help.

Anonymous wrote:She has one of those inserts that fits into our toilet.

She is pooping her pants. Which I don't love but I'd rather she do that than hold it.

I had this issue before with my middle child. Its gross but we actually had him assist with cleaning himself. He hated it and missed out on other things going on because it would take so long. We did the bulk of the wiping but told him to get tissue and wipe his bum out, he had to also remove all of his own clothes. we had him dump the poop into the toilet from his undies and flush it. After about 4 of those incidents he finally "made poopie in the potty" and was elated

I'm having the hardest time figuring out what is scaring her. Thanks for the suggestions.

She has one of those inserts that fits into our toilet.

She is pooping her pants. Which I don't love but I'd rather she do that than hold it.

is she holding it in or pooping in her panties op?

I know bribery is frowned upon, but my last charge who resisted going #2 in the potty turned around pretty quickly when his parents offered one brand new small toy for every time he pooped in the potty (they used matchbox cars). After two weeks of that, they changed the offer so he got a toy after every two days of no accidents. Two weeks later, he was accident free and no longer needed more toys (because he had a huge basket full of brand new cars and trucks).

Some kids hate that poop dropping into a toilet can splash cold water on them, and/or they hate the noise that splashing causes. If she's using a seat on the toilet rather than a potty chair, you might try a potty chair.

Some kids don't like doing anything if they can't see what's happening. I had a charge who was like that, so she was fine to pee on the potty chair, but freaked out about pooping. I got a child seat to fit inside/on top of the toilet ring, but she still couldn't see. Eventually, we worked it out so that she sat practically spread eagle at the back of the ring, and leaned over to watch while I held her up. Once she could watch for a week or two, she didn't care about watching every time, but we couldn't use the potty chair or donut, just in case she wanted to see. If the choice is holding a 2 year old so she can use the toilet like a big girl versus having a mess in panties or a meltdown, I don't have an issue holding a kid so that they'll go.

See if you can figure out what the issue is. Toddlers can't articulate (well) why they fear or dislike something, so good luck!

Is she on a potty or donut

How is she pooping now?

Honestly, I'd fill her full of fruit, juice, water and fiber so when she sits on that potty she won't be able to stop the exodus....

I asked on the parenting board, but I figured you nannies might have some great ideas as it's your career to work with small kids.


What would you do to get a kid to go #2 on the potty if they are anxious about it?

My DD just screams if she thinks she's going to poop. I don't want to have her on the potty screaming, but I don't know what else to do.

I have her in regular underwear no pullups except for naps and bedtime and she's fine for #1.

It's just poop that's giving her trouble.

She isn't constipated. I do books and stickers for rewards. All ideas are welcome. Thanks.