Needing the toilet

[themalster]

Hi guys,

Our son is 3 and a half but still doesn't tell us when he needs a pooh. He has got used to telling us when he needs a wee but when it comes to needing a pooh, more often than not he does it in his pants or we make him sit on the toilet as we can read the signs when he does need one, however that's not always possible. We have tried telling him that he has to tell us but it doesn't happen.

Does anyone have any ideas how to help?

[redcrx]

He's only little still. Just continue as you are and get him to toilet if you can see the signs. Does he have a particular time of day when he would normally go? If he does then try and sit him on toilet or potty around that time and see if he can go.
Don't push him, he will get there in time.

[welshlibranr]

very common problem with boys of this age, he will outgrow this, just need to be patient, and encourage him to go to the toilet when needed!........

[themalster]

Thanks guys, I know he's still young, it's just that sometimes when we are out we don't always have a change of clothes with us (which we will do from now on!)

Might have a try at rewarding him as long as he understands that he will only get a sweet when he does a pooh on the toilet

[kerriesmum]

Try a star chart when he poos on the toilet he gets a star and a reward.

[elnonajo]

We had the same problem with our 3 year old and nothing seemed to work. We finally tried 'poo presents!' we had a bag with little wrapped gifts, nothing major just a sweet or a pack of crayons or something, and we just drummed it into her that they were her poo presents and every time she gave the toilet her poo (gross i know but it got through to her) she would get a present.....She was going by herself within 2 weeks!!