Title: When Your Toddler Doesn't Want to Use the Toilet - American Family Physician
Headings: When Your Toddler Doesn't Want to Use the Toilet
Information from Your Family Doctor
When Your Toddler Doesn't Want to Use the Toilet
When are most children ready for toilet training?
What skills does my child need to be toilet trained for bowel movements?
Why do some children who are already potty-trained still have bowel movements in their pants?
Why does my child seem to have trouble using the toilet for bowel movements?
If my child has no physical problems, what causes this toilet problem? Is this just a phase?
How should I start toilet training my child for bowel movements?
When should I call my doctor?
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Toileting Diary
Continue reading from April 15, 1999
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Content: Tell your child that he or she is now a “big boy” or a “big girl” and won't be wearing diapers anymore in the daytime. It's OK to use diapers at night for a while if your child still wets the bed. Don't use diapers for special times like shopping trips. This sends the wrong message. Choose a low-stress time to start this step of toilet training. Have set times for sitting on the toilet. Once your child is having healthy bowel movements and is used to sitting on the toilet, start having him or her sit on the toilet at regular times during the day. Time the sits to start about 10 to 20 minutes after each meal and during times when your child usually has a bowel movement. You'll be able to tell these times from the toileting diary. Your child should sit on the toilet at least three to five times per day, for about five minutes each time.