He is Almost 6 and still poops in his underwear!

[DracoGwen]

We have a 5 year old who will be 6 years old in a couple of months who still poops in his underwear. He has mastered going pee in the toilet every time. Our doctors always told us that he would let us know when he was ready and that he would have to make that decicision to use the toilet so by the time he was 5 I turned to "The Potty Trainers Guide" and within a few weeks he was going pee. We have tried just about everything to get him to go poop in the toilet...bribery with chocolate, candy, stickers, special poopie surprises, toys; discipiline by taking away TV time, Computer time, toys, I even spanked him; He cleans up after hisself and insists that he does not feel it come out...but on several occasions, in stores, outside, etc, I have personally watched him push it out so I know he can feel it. He has mentioned that the reason he can't feel it coming out is because he can't see it coming out. Recently he has been having his BM's at night, he sometimes holds it for a day or two and sometimes he has BM's 3 times a day...never at the same time(routinely). He has pooped in the toilet before..I would have to say about 4 times in the past year. And the Good Lord knows he was praised for his acheivement. Overall he is a rather bright boy, who is well socialized, he has a great concetration level for his age, and a very happy boy. If you have any suggestions please we can use all the help we can get. Thank You!

[raymoe]

Just a suggestion, is to encourage him to do it in a potty. when he manages a result, praise and reward him for getting rid of that nasty stuff from his inside.

The logical reason this method may work, is because some confused children feel the motions (similar to bleeding) is a part of them and should not come away...Convince him to view it, and believe that the horrible smelly wastes, is much better out than in.

Regards UK Ray.

[gina272]

I am having a similar problem with my son who is almost 7.  Make sure there is not a medical problem.

[brentten]

I went through this with my 6 year old too! I had no problem with him going pee in the toilet but not poop. when he went poop in his underwear he would take them off, rinse them in the sink, put them in the laundry and get a clean pair. I thought I tried every thing potty treats, time outs you name it I tried it. But what worked for me was one day he pooped his underwear and right after I took him to the store and gave him money I made him pick out pull ups and wipes and pay for them. When we got home he put on the pull up. He threw one heck of a fit.  For two days he wore a pull up and had to look at the pull ups in his room. That was two days of hell but let me tell you he has not had a problem since. He was ready to "be a big boy"!!!!