Does anyones else have kids that play with poo?

Question

This is a serious quesion. I am not talking about once or twice, my 22 mth old always poops at night and every time he seems to wake up and smear it everywhere. If he does happen to poop during the day he reaches in his diaper and does the same thing. This has been going on for 6 months now and I am desperate for help. I have talked to his docter, I have told him everytime that poo-poo is nasty and this is bad. I even make him help clean it up. If anyone has had a similar problem please give me some ideas on how to make my child stop playing with his poo. Thanks in advance!!!!

Hey suzyhomemaker - mabey if you spent less time running after your kids and more time learning how to read you would have noticed that I clearly stated this mostly happens at night in his crib. Maybe you should stop judging other parents and take a good look in the mirror. Not trying to be rude or anything.


Thank you to all the parents who gave REAL answers.

Answer 1

Maybe he's doing it before he wakes up...

Kinda' like "sleep-poo walking..."

I wouldn't worry about it...(sounds like standard 22-month-old male child behavior to me...)

(This is the child I'm going become the stepfather of...?!?)

Sounds like a "chip off the ole' block" to me...

Answer 2

I used to babysit for twins, and they woke up from their nap one day and BOTH decided to do it! Thank God their uncle came home and helped me clean up...ugh. Have you tried smacking his hand and saying "no?" I know a lot of people don't believe in hitting their kids, but at this point you kind of need to do what needs to be done to get him in hand. You will have to keep a close eye on him, but every time he goes for that diaper, give him a little swat on the hand and tell him "no!" You should change him as soon as you know his diaper is dirty, too. He can't play with what's not there, and it's unhealthy for him to be sitting in that anyway. I know it's a hard thing to do, but it really does change the way even a very young child acts in a hurry. The lady I babysit for did it to her 10 month old when he was pulling on an ash tray, and now all you have to do is say "no!" when he gets near it, and he starts crying and moves away. You're really in an unenviable position here. Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes this is normal. Your son will grow out of it. I know it's frustrating, but as soon as you realize he has popped, change his diaper to keep him from playing with it. He's just curious about what happened in his pants. I've worked with kids this age and have came across a few that their hands go steight into their diaper when they have pooped. Don't make him help clean it up, it'll make the matter worse. He doesn't fully understand yet why he shouldn't play with it. Just tell him eww, yuckies. He'll understand that better.

Answer 4

You may need to check out the websites for new Moms and get into the chat rooms. Sometimes doctors don't see a problem as serious when it is. Look for sites in early childhood and child development. You can contact a children's hospital and ask for a referral to staff there that can help you. Not only is it messy for you and baby but it is unhealthy for the baby and anxiety producing for you. It could cause you to lose your bond with the child. Best of luck to you!!

Answer 5

Maybe you can put him in a onsie. I know they make them his size. Then put on a pair of pants or overalls. He would have to go through the pants and then the onsie to get through to the diaper.

At night do the same. Put him in a one piece pajama set and maybe a thin onsie underneath.

Bib overalls would work great!! After a week or so of wearing them he may just forget about his diaper.

Answer 6

My son did the same thing for about 9 or 10 months. We tried everything, we would give him a firm swat on the butt too when he did it, he always had to help me clean it up, and we tried putting his diapers and onsies on backwards, and then he figured that out too very quickly. Luckily my son only did it during nap time...We had to just take away nap time because we couldn't deal with it. Unfortunately there isn't much you can do about it..They have to grow out of it.

Answer 7

My little twin brothers did this when until they were about 10 or 11 months old (yes both!) It is just a phase...but to break them we just put them in overalls or osiers to where they couldn't reach back there and unzip or unbutton them..and when they did do it..we would pop them and put them in time-out. It is a hard habit to break...but just follow me and my fellow Y!A users and he should grow out of it in no time!

Good luck! and Congrats on being a new mommy!

Answer 8

Oh thats terrible, Im really sorry. No, neighther of my kids have done that. I mean you have let this go on for how long? Its the type of thing that is you dont stop it the 1st time you are going to have issues.

I popped my daughters hand and yelled at her for taking her pullup off with poop in it and not telling me. She never did it again, she comes and tells me "Change me mommy". Or "I have to go poop on potty". She is 2.

I would seek answers to help you. Best of luck to you and your family.

Answer 9

A little boy that I take care of does this. He will get it all over his sheets, crib and wall, and himself. His parents and I decided that we needed to cut the feet out of his footie pajamas and turn them around backward so he couldn't get the zipper un-done, and only dress him in onsies with overalls during the day. This has elminated his playing in his poop.

Answer 10

no, but it is something that is normal. Try changing him as soon as you can. Maybe he is ready for potty training? Try giving a reward such as one more story before bed or playtime at the park, or a cracker if he keeps his hands out of his diaper.