Potty training woes

[Artist83]

Hello, I am currently trying to help my 4 year old daughter with her potty training. She has a fear of the hole in the potty, she says it's like a mouth. Does anyone else have any experience with this? Also she holds her wee in for hours. She never goes at nursery or when we are out even if that's all day. She seems to feel safe to wee at home. She is wearing pull ups at the moment. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[ERIC-Charity Partner]

Hi Artist83

There is a useful page on the ERIC website titled 'Children who will only poo in a nappy' which applies for wee's too. There are some useful tips on helping to gently break the habit from nappy to the loo and some case studies written by our Specialist Continence Nurse with techniques to try.

I hope you find it useful. If you would like to contact one of ERIC's Advisors to discuss it in more detail, please get in touch.

Thanks,

Amy.

ERIC Helpline Advisor

[Sunshine109]

Hi, just wondering if you ever found anything to help this? My daughter is 3yr 4month and is realy scared for go on the potty. We’ve managed 4 wees on it and she will hold it hours so she doesn’t have to go. And not any poos and she’s now constipated from holding. Don’t know what to do.

[Artist83 in reply to Sunshine109]

Hello, I got so distressed trying to get my daughter to see on potty. In the end I took a step back. Made it seem like it wasn't that important. We read some potty books, not sitting on the potty. Then she just wanted to try it one day and now she sees fine. No accidents at all. She still will not poo on potty. She has tried but nothing comes out so we are still using pull ups for that. I know it really is hard with pressure from people around you but they will get it. I also used an incentive. She really wanted a scooter so I just said occasionally that she could have one when she used the potty.