Potty Trained & Now Afraid of the Potty

My daughters were freaked out by the "automatic" toilets. We used to cover the sensor with a piece of toilet paper (others told us to carry post-it notes to use to cover the sensors that are on the wall). It really helped, but they were still very anxious. Hang in there! I wouldn't make her go back to diapers, just try to get her to relax. Have her sit on a "potty" and watch a movie or something until she feels more comfortable. Good luck.

SOOOO funny that you posted this. I dealt with this with my oldest son and I was certain I was the only one! Guess not! I tried in desperation one time and did something silly and it completely worked. I got a key that didn't go to anything and I just kept it in my pocket. Everytime it was time to go to the potty, I took out the key and pretended to turn the toilet off until he was done. When he was done, I asked if he was ready to flush it. When he said yes, I would pretend to turn the toilet back on and then he would flush it. We did this for a week or so and then that was it. He forgot about it. I still had to do it for a while in public restrooms, but it really seemed to work. It might be a long shot, but give it a try! I also made sure to not make a big deal out of it. I used the key very matter-of-factly and just made it out like that was all there was to it. Good luck!

Have you tried a potty chair? It would be better than holding it in...

My 2 year old hates the automatic toilets as well. I try to use our travel potty as much as possible. I just have her go before we go into a store. If we HAVE to use one, I explain to her that I will be next to her and I will hold her if the toilet flushes.

I also make a big deal about toilets that aren't automatic, therefore not scary.

I LOVE the post-it idea that someone else here mentioned. I will definitely be using that idea now as well!

I suggest putting her potty next to the toilet and when you go "potty" take her with you and reassure her by maybe holding her hand that its ok! And this will pass. Or if she is already using the "big" toilet maybe try when the toilet flushes play her favorite song at the same time so she will have a new memory of toilets flushing. I pray everything works.

A little trick that we use with two girls who are terrified by automatic toilets.....

We always carry a pad of Post-Its. When we use a toilet with an automatic flush, we put a post it over the sensor until they are finished. The toilet won't flush until you remove it. You could even write "No Flush" on it and make it a game.

Hope this works for you as well as it works for us.

please do not punish for this.
the best bet is for you to re train her to use the potty

maybe if you go and use the automatic toilet and let it flush while you are sitting on it she might catch on

and if she does decides to be able to use the toilet reach behind her and block the sensor so it does not flush on her.

The same thing happened to my girl. I would have to go in with her and help her and even then she was still scared. In my experience, you just have to tell her it's okay and be there to help her. The post it idea is brilliant. My girl is almost 11 now and she still doesn't like to us bathrooms with toilets that flush automatically.

God bless and good luck :)

My daughter calls them magic toilets. We try to avoid the "magic" ones, but some days it can't be helped. If she watches cartoons, pick something out that's "magic" and show her that magic happens in the wierdest of places, even bathrooms. Once she catches on you can tell her which ones are magic and which ones aren't.