I need Ideas!

[ranchermom3]

My four-year-old daughter had been potty trained for nearly two years now. She is a twin and just turned four in March. We've been having trouble with her going poop in her panties and she won't tell me. I don't know what to do about it. I feel like we've tried everything! I would appreciate any ideas or suggestions anyone has. Thanks

[AugustAngel]

Well not sure how good I am for advice, but I want you to know you're not alone. My step son is 7 and he still does it. With him we try to look for a pattern. Somtimes he does it because of stress and other times it's his way of getting even for something.

With yours you might see if it's stress related or maybe she's embarassed because she has to go. A shy colon. :)

[MommaC]

Is she pretty predictable? Does she go at the same time every day? (Like after lunch, for example.) You can try setting her on the potty for a while during her prime time. Tell her she doesn't have to GO, but she has to TRY. Take books. Sing songs. If she needs some privacy, tell her you're going to go start the dishwasher and be right back. Be consistent. It may take several days of "trying" before she actually goes. When she does go, make a big deal. Give her the candy/sticker, let her call Grandma and brag etc etc etc. If you stress about it, she'll stress about it. Be cool. Have fun with it. Encourage her to be a big girl in every way. Has she ever accompanied someone else who's pooped? Seems gross, but maybe if she sees that it's not scary or painful and that it's a big happy occasion, she'll be more into it. Good luck to you!

[rms2003]

I am glad I am not the only one with this problem! My son is 4yrs old. He has been potted trained since he was 2 1/2 yrs old. He was dry with no accidents day or night until he turned 4. I was so discouraged. I tried stickers and a surprise. Those would only last a couple of days. So I have started to remind him to go often. He usually objects and says he doesn't have to go, but he ALWAYS goes. So far it has seem to reduce the accidents alot! I think some of it was caused by stress.

[eatyouroatmeal]

Yeah, this is normal. I agree with the others that you should just be consistant about making sure she goes often and regularly.

If this doesnt improve it, you might want to take her to the doctors. My daughter was potty trained before her second birthday. Then around 4 yrs old starting having accidents again. It went on for a while before I took her to the doctors. They said she was doing it because of the new baby and it would pass. But it went on for years. Doctors kept telling me to remind her and she would eventually get it. But she never did. It wasnt till she was about 8 when she was diagnosed with chronic constipation. I had no idea this could happen but I guess she was constipated somewhere along the way and it got so bad that her large intestines were very full and pushing on her bladder and making it weak. she had poop & pee accidents on and off for years before we got it under control. the doctor will know how to feel her tummy to see if she is constipated or not. You'd think since she's having accidents she couldn't possibly be constipated but I guess its not always a 'full bowel movement'.
Chances are this isnt the case but I'd have it checked out just in case. Not all doctors know to look for it.