Potty training problems can be either emotional or
physical in nature. Some conditions interfere with the potty training process, while
others result in a poor potty training experience for toddler.
Intentionally witholding a bowel movement and constipation are two problems that
may result when a child who is too young, or not ready, is forced into the potty training
process.Forcing the pace of toilet training
at a very early age or when the child is not ready, may cause fear and anxiety, and result
in potty training problems. Children who don't grasp the process, but sense that
they're doing something wrong and displeasing the parent, may become anxious and
uncomfortable at the sight of a bathroom, potty seat or toilet and even dread bathroom
smells and the sound of flushing.
If you notice that your child is reacting negatively
to toilet training, it may be a sign of potty training problems. It may be a
good idea to stop the process entirely, allow some time to pass and let your child settle
down. Then look for signs of potty training
readiness.
There are other potty training problems, some of
which will need the attention of a Pediatrician:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) - a
condition more common to girls than boys. The pain can feel like stinging or
burning. Always seek your Pediatrician's advice if your child has pain on urination.
Bubble baths have been known to cause problems in young girls prone to UTI.
If your daughter experiences pain on urination after a bubble bath, discontinue the bubble
bath and seek your Pediatrician's help.
- Constipation - If your child has not
emptied his or her bowels in more than two days, several factors may be contributing to
this problem. Food in the child's diet may be causing the constipation. Here
again, contacting your Pediatrician is highly recommended. A simple adjustment in
diet may be all that's needed to eliminate these kinds of potty training problems.
Or, a gentle baby laxative may be prescribed to get the bowels moving again.
- Diarrhea - Foods, again, may be the
culprit, but for persistent diarrhea, a visit to the Pediatrician will be necessary.
Diarrhea can also result from a child's anxiety over toilet training. Again, it
would be wise to stop the potty training process until the child is ready. At the
appropriate time, begin the process again, but this time make sure the bathroom is a more
inviting place.
How do you make a bathroom a more inviting place
place for toddler? Here are some suggestions:
- Read a funny, reassuring book, or a potty training book to
toddlers that will help them understand the toilet training concept.
- Sing a toilet training song, or sing along to a
cassette of potty training tunes.
- Purchase a soft potty seat with pictures of your
toddler's favorite TV character on it (like SpongeBob, Blues
Clues, Dora or Big Bird).
- Get a toilet lid cover and bath mat
featuring TV characters with whom your child can identify.
- Find a sturdy step stool that will make
your child feel secure when climbing onto the toilet and for resting his or her legs once
on the toilet. It should also be light enough that toddler can move it to the
bathroom basin when washing hands or brushing teeth.
NOTE: Parents can ease
constipation and diarrhea in their children by talking softly and calmly to them, but only
if the conditions are caused by an unsatisfactory potty training experience. Of
course, this technique would not work if the child is too young to be potty trained.
See Potty Training Readiness.
|
