Toilet Training: Help! My 2 1/2 Yr Old Daughter Is Holding It In.

I wouldn't use pullups at all - underwear if she's trained, diapers if she's not. If she isn't peeing her pants, I'd leave her in underwear and continue taking her to the toilet every hour and a half or so through her waking hours - don't ask if she has to or wants to go, just take her. Then I'd diaper her for naps and bedtime. Or, if you think she's purposely peeing her pullup at naptime as soon as you put it on, put her down in her panties (use waterproof pad on the bed just in case) and see if she gets up to use the toilet or if she still pees/poops in bed.

I'd recommend taking a break from potty training for a few weeks. Get the 3 day potty training ebook (http://www.3daypottytraining.com/pages/help.htm?official) and use her system.

My oldest did the same thing. She could hold it for HOURS! It became a battle because I was putting her on the toilet at scheduled times, rather then when her body showed signs of needing to go. We took two months off of potty training, and started with this book and it was a breeze. 3 days and it was DONE, for both day and night!

Best wishes!

Your concerns are good ones. Your daughter doesn't sound like she's quite ready, and if what you're doing isn't working, there's no harm in putting her back in diapers for a few weeks or months. Emotional readiness will come, but there's too much tension or anxiety around pottying for her right now, and she's stuck.

Here's a terrific site that gives some great "readiness" checklists, and lots of additional information about the pluses and minuses of many different approaches to potty training: http://www.parentingscience.com/toilet-training-readiness...

So I have not dealt with this issue but it does sound like it could become a bad issue if left alone. Maybe you could try making "going to the potty" something fun for your daughter..? Try giving her rewards when after she goes -- I have heard of a princess theme for going to the bathroom or a sticker chart for after LOs go..check out these tips:

http://www.theskinnyscoop.com/search/potty+training?utm_c...

The poop may scare her. My daughter was having this experience. (Argh. It sucks on so many levels.) I was told by the doctor and many good friends to give her Miralax. It will soften the stool. One friend of mine had to give it to her son (once a day) for a month, while a friend of hers had to give it to her daughter (once a day) for six months. So far, I've been giving it to my daughter for about 2 weeks. We have no more crying and she actually got up last night to tell my husband she had to go potty (poop & pee). It was after 11pm when this happened.

By the way, I have been extremely cognizant of her diet. I've cut back on milk (and she only drinks Silk). I rarely give them candy and they drink more water than juice (and we are big juice drinkers). And as you know most 2yo's don't like vegetables, so I've had to get creative in the kitchen. A little bit at a time but it's helping. Also, my 4yo eats the same things and drinks the same things (but she's on Lactaid) and she doesn't have a problem using the bathroom (very regular).

So if your little angel is holding back it could be because of one bad experience. You can also try soothing her while she goes, or giving her a book, or putting on some of her favorite music. I always had to flush the toilet a few times and rub my little angel's back and thighs.

Good luck to you mommy.

My son did the exact same thing but it was day 4 of the first round of training-he started holding it in on day 4 so I got concerned and took him to the doctor-they said wait, so I did. He was ready but chose to be in control-very very frustrating! So we put him back in diapers but every time he had to pee or poop he told me and said "I am going to go in my diaper, not the toilet" so 3 weeks later I put him back in undies and pointed to the bathroom and said "you are in control and you know what to do" I also figured out the bribe that did it that I didnt think about the first time and he has only had 3 accidents since-only overnight. Its been 10 days now :0) Give it some time, because when they are ready its pretty amazing!

Maybe before nap time make sure she is in the bathroom with you and run a bit of water.... somehow that always makes us get the urge. Maybe have her wash her hands in some warm water before nap time and I bet you see her do the pee dance and she will have no choice but to hop on her potty chair :)

I had the same problem with my son – he turned 3 in December. He was going on the potty for a while and than stopped and couldn’t get him to go back for a long time. He would occasionally pee for me once in a while but poop was out of the question. He had his annual check up recently and I asked the doctor what to do. She suggested using a treat that the child really enjoys. We use M&M's and Hershey Kisses. For the M&M's he gets 1 for trying - 3 for peeing and 5 for pooping - for the ultimate jackpot of 9 at one time if he does all 3. Kisses he gets 1 each for trying - peeing and pooping. We alternate between the M&M's and the Kisses and sometimes we combine the 2 - I don’t think he is so much concerned about the quantity but the actual treat itself. The doctor said the trick that works with this is that he cannot get M&M's or Kisses at any other time for any other reason. So if there is a cookie in the store he wants and it has M&M's on it - can’t have it - M&M's are a potty treat only! Hope this info can help you get through this tough time for her.

She also mentioned that it is normal for them to want to hold it in too! I would check with your doctor though and make sure all is ok!