Potty training a 3 yr old for BM

Hi,

My son is going to turn 3 in a months time. He started potty training 6 weeks ago. He was initially resistant, but just when I thought he may not be ready & decided to go back to diapers, he showed interest in peeing in the potty. He is refusing to poop in the potty. He hides behid the couch or some place else when he poops. We try to get him to go to the bathroom, but completely refuses. He has always been a stubborn kid. The real reason I wanted him to start potty training is because, the minute he poops, if we haven't realized it soon enough, he puts his hand in the diaper/underwear. We have warned him not to do that and also taken his favorite toys away, but none of that is working.

Any suggestions how to get him to go poopy in the potty are appreciated.

Thanks

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Don't rush things. He is doing fine. Just keep on supporting his efforts. If you push the issue with him, he may well start to resist (particularly in light of his string willed disposition). Let him take the lead. Be sure to reward him with each successful use of the potty.

[apexmama]

My son is similar to the above poster's, except he demands a diaper to do his pooping in.  He pee-pee potty trained easily and has been fully trained for about 7 months now.  But he is very stubborn with the pooping.  Last week I decided to not give in and refused to put a diaper on him.  Well, he held it in.  After two days, his tummy was huge and bloated and he was, well, full of poop!  I finally put the diaper on and he got it out. How do you recommend helping kids to get over this hurdle with the fear of pooping in the toilet?  I don't want to be strapping diapers on him till he's 10! Thanks!

[shauna28]

I dont think what your talking about is all that unncommon (well I dont know about sticking his hadn in it though lol) But it does seem that boys seem to take longer with potty training especially the old #2, some kids just dont like doing that on the toilet, they feel they're are not getting the privacy they need, offer to leave the bathroom when hes going so he can have privacy and call you when he's done. If he's hiding out to do his bussines then it sounds like a privacy issue to me, what about putting a little potty behind the couch for him so he feels safe.

[EVELYN25]

I'm having the same problem with my 3 yo son. I have two daughters and potty training was smooth and fast. He just refuses to use the bathroom to do #2. He cries and seems in a lot of pain and demands his pampers until I give in. He just uses the toilet to pee but just seems uncomfertable to poop. We have had the big boy talk and the rewards, I'm just worried he is doing this out of spite or to show he will go when he wants as a sign of power. IDK im just out of ideas.

[LisaBudd]

A related discussion, BM training my 3 yo son was started.