Child hates toilets

[Nicc8]

Hi, my daughter is 4 and a half. She was difficult to potty train as she was terrified of potties and doing anything without a nappy on. She potty trained about 3 and a half but will not use toilets. She will use the small childrens one at preschool and ours at home, but only for wees. She will not go on her grandparents toilets or public toilets if we are out. She holds it for hours and will demand to go home as soon as she need a wee. If I try to put her on a toilet she becomes hysterical. I have no idea what to do. Has anybody been in a similar situation? Thanks

[ERIC-Charity Partner]

Hi Nicc8 , we're sorry to hear that your daughter is so distressed. Please let us reassure you that this is not unusual. We have some information below which might be helpful. There are several resources within the Withholding section which address this problem: eric.org.uk/Pages/Category/... also have a podcast: eric.org.uk/episode-2-child...

best wishes, ERIC

[CheshireMama]

Do you have a portable toilet seat for kids? It was a game changer for us. From Amazon, had a bear face on it. But it just mean she could sit and feel safe and not worry the toilet is too big etc. It folds down into our backpack and goes everywhere with us

[Nicc8 in reply to CheshireMama]

Hi, yes I’ve tried that I got a frog one from Amazon but she won’t sit on it. She’s clearly terrified but it makes going anywhere so difficult.

[CheshireMama in reply to Nicc8]

That’s tough. Keep persisting with it as an option. Maybe use it at home too? But when my daughter was doing this I planned my days around toilet trips - not ideal I know! She will grow out of it. Hopefully you can still have a couple of hours out of the house in between pop breaks and in time things will get better.

[CheshireMama in reply to CheshireMama]

Could you take a portable potty too? We used ours for quite a while and it helped!!

[senmum]

We have the same problem. My daughter has got SN and she is scared of the hand dryer noise. Can’t get her into a toilet outside our house, her grandparents homes and school