The Poop Struggle is Real: How to Survive the Messy Dark Side of Potty Training

Struggling with poop accidents during potty training? You’re not alone. While pee usually comes pretty easily, poop can be a whole different story. Let’s be real – no parent looks forward to cleaning up another poopy mess. The mere thought of it is enough to make you want to throw in the potty training towel for good.

But don’t despair. With a little patience and the right strategies, you can make it through this – ahem – crappy stage. The good news is that poop struggles are normal and temporary. Your kiddo won’t be pooping their pants to prom. This too shall pass!

In this post, we’ll give you a sneak peek at some of the best tips and tricks to deal with the dreaded poop hurdle during potty training. From quick fixes for constipation to tricks for getting your toddler relaxed and comfortable enough to go, we’ve got you covered. With a dash of empathy and a hearty dose of humor, you’ll get through this. Let’s do this!

Why Poop is Trickier Than Pee

For many toddlers, peeing in the potty comes much more naturally than pooping. Why is that? Let’s look at some of the reasons poop presents more of a challenge:

Lack of awareness: Toddlers often don’t recognize the need to poop until it’s already happening. The sensation isn’t as obvious as having a full bladder.
Stress and distraction: Pooping requires focus and relaxation. Toddlers are easily distracted and may put off going if they’re busy playing.
Fear of the toilet: The noise and splash of the toilet can be scary. Some kids are simply afraid to poop into the abyss.
Withholding and constipation: Painful constipation from withholding stool can create a vicious cycle of fearing pooping.
Love of diapers: Diapers feel safe and familiar. Kids find it comforting to poop into something they’ve worn their whole life.
Need for independence: Pooping can represent a loss of control for the burgeoning independence of toddlerhood.

So in short, the psychological and emotional factors around pooping make it more complex than mastering pee. Be patient and don’t pressure. With the right support, your toddler will get there.

Top Tips for Dealing With Poop Accidents

When you’re in the thick of potty training, poop accidents sometimes feel inevitable. Here are some top tips for handling the messy moments with patience and grace:

Stay calm – Kids pick up on your reaction. Take deep breaths and model resilience. This will pass!

Speak gently – Don’t scold or shame. Gently remind them that poop goes in the potty.

Reassure your child – Let them know accidents are part of learning and you aren’t upset.

Involve your child – Have them assist in the cleanup by throwing away soiled undies or wiping the floor.

Focus on progress – Accidents don’t mean failure. Reflect on any positives like telling you they need to poop.

Adjust expectations – Some kids master pee first. Be flexible and keep encouraging poop in the potty.

Rule out constipation – Hard, painful stools can make kids fear pooping. Check with your pediatrician.

With an empathetic response, your toddler will learn over time that pooping in the potty is the way to go.

Setting Your Child Up for Potty Pooping Success

While accidents will happen, there are proactive steps you can take to set your kiddo up for potty pooping success:

Teach Pooping Body Signals

Help your toddler tune into sensations like stomach gurgling that signal the need to poop.
Come up with a fun phrase like “poop is knocking!” and encourage them to listen to their body.

Establish a Potty Poop Routine

Sit on the potty first thing in the morning when the urge to poop is strongest.
Have potty time 15-30 minutes after meals when digestion prompts pooping.
Try potty breaks right before naps or nighttime when bowels are active.

Use Poop Books and Videos

Read books and watch clips that demonstrate and normalize pooping in the potty.
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” and “Everybody Poops” are great options.

Make the Potty Comfortable

Use a child-sized potty or insert to make it less intimidating.
Offer a footstool to simulate a squatting position that aligns the rectum.
Provide toys, books or a tablet to keep them seated and distracted longer.

Encourage Proper Pooping Position

Have them sit upright with knees above hips, not hunched over.
Gently remind them to relax their body instead of straining and bearing down.

Consider Toddler-Friendly Laxatives

Ask your pediatrician about gentle laxatives if stool appears hard or painful.
Prune and pear juice are natural constipation fighters.

With consistency and patience, these proactive steps will pay off to make pooping in the potty routine.

What to Do When Your Toddler Refuses to Poop on the Potty

It can be intensely frustrating when your toddler has clearly mastered peeing on the potty but adamantly refuses to poop. Here are some constructive ways to handle potty poop resistance:

Start small – Celebrate just sitting on the potty without requiring they poop.

Don’t force it – Pressure creates power struggles. Let them feel in control.

Stay close by – Your presence can help them relax enough to go.

Offer incentives – Reward with stickers or treats just for trying to poop.

Take a break – If they insist on a diaper, reset and try the potty again later.

Watch for signals – Help them recognize when their body is saying it’s time.

Add fiber – Increase fruit/veggies to prevent painful constipation.

Demonstrate – Have older siblings or parents model potty pooping.

Be consistent – Stick to a routine each day and remain upbeat.

See your pediatrician – Rule out medical issues like constipation or anxiety.

With empathy and creativity, you can troubleshoot potty poop avoidance while keeping the process positive.

Squatting to Poop – How to Use This Potty Training Game Changer

Here’s a little secret that makes pooping easier for many kids – squatting! The squat position straightens the rectum, allowing stool to pass more freely. Take advantage of this game changer with two techniques:

Floor Squats: Have your child remove pants and squat bare-bottomed over a disposable mat or towel. Their knees should be up near their chest. Stay close by and offer praise when they go.

Potty Squatting: Use a small stool to prop up feet into a squat over the potty. Special potty training stools like the Squatty Potty help get the optimal angle.

Benefits of potty squatting include:

Aligns the body for easier elimination
Helps toddlers relax and push out stool
Mimics natural squatting posture kids are used to
Can help clear backed up stool or constipation

Some parents report great success just having their child squat and poop on the floor at first. They then transition to doing it over the potty once comfortable.

If squatting seems to do the trick for your toddler, go with it! Pooping finally clicked for us when we embraced the power of the squat.

Potty Training Constipation Solutions

If your child is backed up and experiencing painful constipation, getting them to poop in the potty can seem impossible. Here are some constipation busting tips:

Increase high-fiber fruits like pears, berries, and prunes
Add flax/chia seeds to yogurt and smoothies
Ensure they stay hydrated with plenty of water
Try tummy massages and bicycle legs to stimulate bowels
Ask your pediatrician about mild laxatives like Miralax
Check for sensitivity to dairy, gluten or acidic foods
Establish a potty routine right after meals to take advantage of the gastrocolic reflex
Teach them belly breathing exercises to relax on the potty
Keep the potty time stress-free with books and singing
Try allowing them to poop in a diaper in a quiet room if too anxious on the potty
Praise any step toward pooping like sitting on the potty to remove fear
Remain positive – pressure and frustration often backfires

Dealing with constipation during potty training takes patience. But staying calm, getting medical advice, and showing empathy will help get those clogged up bowels moving again.

Potty Training Poop Success Stories to Inspire You

When you’re in the thick of the poop struggles, it can seem like your toddler will never get the hang of pooping on the potty. That’s why we asked parents to share their success stories to give you hope during the challenges!

Danielle says:

“My son Evan refused to poop on the potty for months. We tried everything. Finally, I put his favorite book in the bathroom and told him he could only look at it if he sat on the potty. It worked! He’d sit and “read” until he relaxed enough to go. Now he’s an old pro!”

James says:

“My daughter was terrified to see her poop go into the big toilet. We bought one of those small, adaptable potties just for her. It made her feel more secure. After a week with no pressure, she got over her fear and started pooping without problems.”

Michelle says:

“I was so stressed out from my son withholding stool that it made the problem worse. Our pediatrician suggested giving him a dose of Miralax daily to gently get things moving. That made pooping less painful. Once his constipation improved, he readily started pooping in his little potty.”

Every child is different, but with creativity and patience, potty training poop breakthroughs are within reach. Stay positive – your kiddo will get there! Those poopy diapers aren’t forever.

Let’s Review Key Poop Potty Training Tips

We’ve covered a lot of ground when it comes to navigating the dos and don’ts of potty training poop. Let’s do a quick recap of the key tips:

Expect accidents and respond calmly without shaming
Establish a consistent potty routine to build awareness
Help them recognize bodily signals urging them to poop
Make the potty safe and comfortable with steps and toys
Praise small successes like sitting on the potty and trying
Add fiber like fruits/veggies to prevent constipation
Consider gentle laxatives if recommended by your pediatrician
Teach proper pooping positions like squatting
Remain upbeat – this too shall pass! Your kid’s got this!

With the right mindset and techniques, the challenges of potty training poop will transform into a distant memory. Those dirty diapers won’t last forever. Stay positive and keep on keeping on. Now, go enthusiastically cheer on that next potty poop!