Help! My Child Won’t Poop on the Potty! – Part II

(This blog post is intended to supplement my original article/post entitled "Help! My Toddler Won't Poop on the Potty!")

I hear from parents over and over again about their child refusing to use the potty to poop. These kids inevitably are doing great with their pee training, but will absolutely NOT poop in the toilet. Some kids just go in their underwear while others actually run and hide. In my book, "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" I dedicated a full chapter (The 'Potty Poop Camp') on the topic since it is such a common occurrence!


One of the most common reasons for a child's refusal to use the toilet for '#2' is fear. Some are afraid of the sound of the 'plop' or the feeling of the air hitting their bottom. The most common cause of fear, however, is that the child has has a previously painful bowel movement.



That's why I am excited about this book by Howard Bennett, M.D. The book, entitled, "It Hurts When I Poop: A Story for Children Who Are Scared to Use the Potty" It tells a story about a little boy named Ryan who is afraid to use the toilet. Through the book, children follow along with Ryan's "poop program" as he learns to overcome his fears.

Every review I have read about this book is a positive one. Below are a few comments from parents who had positive results from reading the book to their child:

• "When you have been through 2 years of poop problems, and not knowing what else to do, this book is the answer. It describes perfectly how my daughter felt, it was if she wrote it. I love this book, it is her favorite book. Some tomes we don't talk about these kind of this because we are ashamed, but now with this book it is easy to help in this matter. I am so thankful I found this book, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! "
• "My daughter has had a poo poo problem for three years and FINALLY!!!!.....I purchased the book and from the first time I read it to her she started to relate to Ryan. She wanted me to read her the book at least five times a night and when she was on the toilet. People don't understand the late nights crying on the toilet for three hours at a time unless they have been through something like this. My daughter was in pain every day and Ryan has the exact symptoms as my daughter had. I really wanted to thank the author of this book. I also purchased one for my daughters doctor. If your child has this problem please buy this book it really has done wonders for my daughter and the family. "
• "After months of abdominal pain, I was desperate for my son to find some sort of solution to his....err....ummm....going problem. He wouldn't poop. No matter what he would not poop. Enemas, laxatives, fruit, it was all like trying to shave your head with a butter knife..... FUTILE I bought this book at Barnes and Noble (sorry amazon) on a whim. Without even reading it, my son was pooping himself right in the store! It was like he knew what was coming so he readied his bowels. When we got home I sat him on the toilet and read him the story. 5 months of impacted fecal matter came pouring out of him like water from a fountain! Oh we are so lucky to have found this book. Without it my son would probably have blown up like that blueberry girl from willy wonka. Yay Poop!"

In my book I discuss the topic of fear - and that every parent needs to address this issue first before they will ever get cooperation from their child. I think this is a great first step to take when you are constantly cleaning up poop!

Once the fear is gone, other issues can be tackled. Some children are just plain stubborn! When that's the case, it's on to "Potty Poop Camp!"...........