What to do about a 3 1/2 year old who won't poop on the potty?

Question

I am at my wits end! I've tried every method possible. She will pee on the toilet just fine and has for quite some time now, but she always wants to poop in her panties. She sleeps through the night and wakes up dry. She'll even get up at night just to use the toilet.
I've tried reward systems, disciplining, spanking (not hard, just enough to teach her a lesson), talking to her about it, but none of it works. She's extremely intelligent for her age, so she has a very good understanding of what she's doing and why it gets me upset. I just don't know what to do about this. You can go anywhere and get a plethora of tips for potty training, but where do you go when your only problem is pooping on the potty, not peeing?
Has anyone else ever had this problem with their kids, and if so, how did you handle it?

Answer 1

I have four kids and from experience that's the last thing that they learn.I have to talked there Dr. numerous times. It comes down to that the muscles it takes to make the bowel movements are harder to control the the muscles to pee. A lot of times your patience's run out with our child and we make them get off the potty before they can make those muscles work. That's why they poop there pants. They do that when the bowl movement is putting pressure on the rectum and then they can't help it. Give your child a little more time on the potty. Notice if she has a time of the day she usually has a accident, that's when you have them go and sit for awhile. Just remember it's as hard on them as it is on you. Patience is the key word here, she got to learn how to use muscles that she don't know how to control yet.

Answer 2

I am going through the same thing with my 3 1/2 yearold son. I have tried EVERYTHING!!!! I even spoke to his Dr. and he just said to give him time and that some kids don't potty train until they are 4 years old.
Recently his grandmother told him she would take him on vacation but he has to pee and poop in the toilet. She told him that babies can't swim in the pool or ocean because they will make it dirty by pooping. So far for almost two weeks he has pooped in the toilet. At night he still pees in the pull up but he is wroking really hard at going to the toilet so that he can go swimming. I am starting him in real underwear tomorrow to see how he does. Maybe this will help with your daughter. GOOD LUCK! AND HANG IN THERE!!!!!

Answer 3

i'm going thru the same thing. my daughter will be 4 yrs old on 3/30. she peeson the potty, but refuses to poop