Toddler anxious to wee and poo

[SamanthaBristol]

Hi there. We started potty training last week (my boy is nearly 2.5) but after three days it was obvious he wasn't as ready as I thought he was. He was getting more scared about the potty each day, so I decided to go back to nappies. Since then however, he's been very anxious to wee, poo, and even pass wind in his nappy. I offer the potty too, but he really doesn't want that and ends up running around saying 'it hurts' and needing cuddles. I feel so bad that he's now developed this worry. How can I help him? Thank you if you have any advice.

[Sammy2014]

Hi Samantha, I’ve just started potty training my nearly 3 year old and he’s the same with the poos. I know he is witholding and it’s breaking my heart as I’m only just coming to the end of a 2 year road with my eldest who was the same with stool witholding.

I would put the potty away and not mention it at all again for a few months. Get some story books about potty training (Pirate Pete book for example) and read them to your son during the day. Get the poo goes to poo land app which is a sweet story about not being afraid to go for a poo.

There is also a great charity called ERIC with lots of information about bowel and bladder issues. They also have a helpline if you need to speak to someone.

You need to soothe his fears and hopefully he’s back to normal soon. Lots of boys don’t train until they are close to 3 but some prep work might help alleviate his fears.