My son is four and still not potty trained?

Question

Doc says there is nothing medically wrong, but he still does not produce "normal" bowels. We cannot get him into preschool at this point b/c preschools will not change diapers for four year olds. Any advice?? I don't know what else to do with him.

Answer 1

I just finished potty training my son and daughter and will be starting soon with my second son, so I know how you feel. Potty training can be so stressful and was for me until I found a great product that really helped my kids. I used The Potty Stool, which allows kids to use the toilet by stepping up themselves and without being lifted. My kids were thrilled to imitate Mom and Dad when it came to the bathroom.

Have a calm conversation with your son about his concerns with having a bowel movement in the toilet. He probably has a good reason. Maybe he doesn't like the splash. Put a layer of toilet paper down to avoid that. Maybe he is afraid of falling off. Look at ThePottyStool.Com for pictures of the stool I was telling you about.


Just like your son, my son was also hard to potty train but he liked being able to stand on the stool and go right into the toilet and "make bubbles." Also he was able to use the stool to sit very securely and comfortably to make bowel movements. When I see him start to strain or leave gas, I tell him to "make a snake," and he runs right to the bathroom all excited. Once using the toilet is an option for him, the next step is keeping him in "big boy underpants." Even if he has a few accidents, very quickly he will experience the discomfort of wet cotton and voluntarily start working with you. My son loves his Spiderman underwear and for him it is a real privilege to wear them.

Some key things to remember:
1) Initially, ask him at least once an hour to use the bathroom. At four, kids are so busy they don't take a break on their own.
2)Don't give him alot of fluids three hours before bedtime and make sure he pees before bedtime.
3)Have Dad teach him what big boys do in the toilet so that he can imitate his father.

You are almost there! Maintain your patience and only use positive reinforcement. If there is an accident, try saying, "that's OK, we will try harder next time. We want to put the poo poo in the toilet, not in your nice underwear." Hang in there! You are so close to the end.

Answer 2

My sister-in-law had this happen with my nephew. He was 4 when he did finally potty train, and it happened when he had a rash on his bum. He had diarrhea and so it stung when he pooped in his diaper.
So she took his diaper off and put him on the potty constantly and he felt better being able to poop in the toilet. He did this for two days until his rash cleared up and then voila he was potty trained.
I know this doesn't directly help, but it was to let you know you are not alone and they there probably isn't anything "wrong" with him.
If you have tried all the "usual" methods, like the stickers, rewards etc....then take the diapers off and make sure you put him on the potty over and over again and eventually he should "get it"

Good Luck

Answer 3

Once you're taking the diaper off do not placed it again on. This goes to take a few paintings from the mummy. Diapers and pull united statesconfuses the little one. One minute their allowed to move of their pants and the following your in need of them to make use of the potty. Don't placed diapers on at night time both. Get a bed duvet and restrict beverages earlier than mattress time. I have potty informed each my boys earlier than age two through getting rid of diapers and no pull ups. Good good fortune and simply maintain on best of it.

Answer 4

A friend of mine who had four boys had one that was potty trained all except for poops. She stumbled on the solution by accident. Seems her little boy had a favorite pair of batman underwear. He pooped in it. She decided that she just wasn't going to even try to clean them and threw them away. He was so broken hearted that he never pooped in underwear again.

But I have to say, as long as you let him wear diapers, he will continue to behave like a baby. Take him to the store and let him pick out big boy pants. Explain that now that he's four, it's time he went in the toilet.

But I have to ask, what do you mean by "normal" bowels?

Answer 5

my son was the worst to potty train. He too was 4 and all it took was Grandpa telling him if he wanted to go to school then he had to use the big potty. a few days later he was potty trained. Some times bribery works wonders.

Answer 6

let him go to the potty in his pants w/ big boy underwear on. He probably won't like getting wet or dirty and may decide the potty chair is much much better?

Good luck!!

Answer 7

If there's nothing medically wrong, then I would just take away his diapers. Put him in absorbant underpants and let him clean up any messes he makes.

Answer 8

you have to constantly ask him if he needs to go pee every 2-3 hrs and you have to let him know how he'll feel when he has to go poo, like stomach hurt so he can tells you when he has to go without accident.