Okay, sorry for the gross question. My soon-to-be 4 year old son (who isn't potty trained, but that's another issue) has started playing with his poop. Last night, he stood up after sitting on our rocking chair and stuck his hands down the back of his pants and started playing. When I got a hold of him, he had poop all over his hands (and his pants, and the chair). Even though he got punished for it, he thought it was funny. Why is he doing this? Is it normal (I have a hard time believing it is)? What do I do about it?
Thanks.
2007-11-13 05:54:27 · 11 answers · asked by Starfall 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
We have been working on potty training. He just doesn't seem to get it or want to get it. We've tried pull-ups, regular underwear, bare butt--nothing. We can sit him on the potty for half an hour, and he won't go, then he goes as soon as he's off. The doctor says it's nothing to be concerned about, just stop pushing him. Well, tell that to all the preschools in the area who won't take a kid his age who isn't potty trained.
2007-11-13 06:16:20 · update #1
it can be normal at an younger age has they are more curious has to whats there, but with him being older!! it could still possibly be i mean does he have any underlying development problems??
has for the potty training have you tried just taking him to toilet (the big toilet!! get rid of the potty..)
when you or your their daddy goes take him with you and let him watch (i know it might sound silly but it will teach him that evey body has to go there)
or just try taking him every 20 min and sitting him on the toilet try for about 5 min every time he gets off just put him back on till time up then carry on has normal for another 20 min.....
worked for me..
good luck x
2007-11-13 06:33:50 · answer #1 · answered by xAxEx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some children explore their world in different ways. This substance is interesting to explore. It has an odor, taste and tactile reaction.
Another benefit is that he is getting a hightened reaction from mom and dad. If he is, what he perceives as being left alone and wants some company, he may have learned he gets an instant reaction if he starts to play with the poop.
Another option is that he has not learned the role of poop and is trying to understand that which comes out. This is normal exploritory behavior. It is warm and squishy... like may popular toys... he has not learned it is not healthy and to leave it alone and dispose of it properly.
Both of the above come from the process of toilet training... something you state you have not done yet. At 4yo, a child should be starting to well along the path of toilet training. I assume there is a delay for some reason -- perhaps it is related to this delay.
2007-11-13 06:08:35 · answer #2 · answered by Thomas H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's normal. He's trying to show that he does like to have human waste against his skin. You said that potty training is another issue, but he's almost four. He has to learn sometime. For now, you try pull-ups. It could help with the playing and they're easy on and off for potty training.
2007-11-13 06:00:00 · answer #3 · answered by Mom of One in Wisconsin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes they do. my son at 4 years and 5 months who pottied trained very early before 2.5 years old one day quietly went to his bedroom pooped on the floor and smeared it alllllll over the place. My husband lost it. He got very depressed and I had to clean this mess out of the rug. It broke the steam cleaner too. It was devestating. But it was an isolated incident. I screamed at him I cried. I lost it too. We even tried to make him clean it but he was so repulsed since he has never done it again.
It does happen. dont worry you are not alone.
2007-11-13 07:22:42 · answer #4 · answered by I love me! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep telling yourself "this too shall pass"
Is it normal? Sad to say yes a lot of babies and toddlers and some adults are very amused by their poop. Work on potty training and repeat "this too shall pass"
Oh and it can be worse At least he isn't eating it!
2007-11-13 06:10:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say the same, he's probably irritated with feeling it. And at 4.....maybe a little embarassed at the fact he was touching poop.
4 years olds understand a fair bit, after all only one more year and he's in school. ............hate to say this but he really needs to get potty trained.
2007-11-13 06:03:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Though none of my three boys ever did this, I did find a question similar to yours and an answer from a pediatrician! Here's the link:
http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&ref=1496
2007-11-13 06:12:39 · answer #7 · answered by Amy G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG. I had one of those. Awoke one morning and the best thing I could think of was gasoline and a lighter.
This too will pass.
2007-11-13 05:58:53 · answer #8 · answered by ed 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
no worries, hes only a kid..i used to eat my brother's deodorant and stuff, just discipline him about that before he ends up eating poop like chicken.
2007-11-13 05:59:57 · answer #9 · answered by TrickB 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
he's probably not playing with it. He's probably getting irritated and trying to fix it to get comfortable. Change him more often. and put baby powder on his behind
2007-11-13 05:58:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋