Toddler Advice Thread #2

[al255]

Triggerword - Poo!

Does anyones 2.8 year old poo so much? Some days my daughter can poo 2,3 times a day and I’m like Wtf???? She eats lots of fibre and fruit and doesn’t eat junk food, but I’m wondering if she has too much fibre. For instance she has brown seeded toast for breakfast and fruit, or weetabix/shreddies, she won’t have white bread (I don’t even buy it in), and I worry slightly she goes to the toilet more than she should. It’s not watery or anything either and she’s got no allergies/intolerances to food. She does eat ALOT of food though so I guess it’s got to go somewhere lol.

Also- talking of bowel movements I’m starting potty training this week. I’m so like wtf but i think she’s showing signs for sure, I’ve got a potty and I’ve bought some knickers so nursery will start tomorrow then I’ve got her all week and weekend to focus on it. I hope it goes well… but no pressure for either of us it just seems like a HUGE milestone but I think once she gets the jist of being dry during the day it’ll be fine. She picks things up really easily.

So another thing- sorry I’m on one this morning can anyone else’s child open the front door? So for instance if I give my keys to her, (there’s 3 on my keyring) she can pick the key it is and turn it the right way into the lock, and open the door. She hasn’t mastered locking it but she’s nearly there. This is only from her watching me open and close the door and she just wanted to copy. (I keep all keys high up at nighttime / during the day, doors are lockers when we are in the house too obviously for safety) but I showed my friend and her daughter is 4 and she can’t do that. She was like oh my god? I haven’t pushed her to learn it or anything she’s just got the hang of it randomly lol.

 

[WhatABore]

Triggerword - Poo!

Does anyones 2.8 year old poo so much? Some days my daughter can poo 2,3 times a day and I’m like Wtf???? She eats lots of fibre and fruit and doesn’t eat junk food, but I’m wondering if she has too much fibre. For instance she has brown seeded toast for breakfast and fruit, or weetabix/shreddies, she won’t have white bread (I don’t even buy it in), and I worry slightly she goes to the toilet more than she should. It’s not watery or anything either and she’s got no allergies/intolerances to food. She does eat ALOT of food though so I guess it’s got to go somewhere lol.

Also- talking of bowel movements I’m starting potty training this week. I’m so like wtf but i think she’s showing signs for sure, I’ve got a potty and I’ve bought some knickers so nursery will start tomorrow then I’ve got her all week and weekend to focus on it. I hope it goes well… but no pressure for either of us it just seems like a HUGE milestone but I think once she gets the jist of being dry during the day it’ll be fine. She picks things up really easily.

So another thing- sorry I’m on one this morning can anyone else’s child open the front door? So for instance if I give my keys to her, (there’s 3 on my keyring) she can pick the key it is and turn it the right way into the lock, and open the door. She hasn’t mastered locking it but she’s nearly there. This is only from her watching me open and close the door and she just wanted to copy. (I keep all keys high up at nighttime / during the day, doors are lockers when we are in the house too obviously for safety) but I showed my friend and her daughter is 4 and she can’t do that. She was like oh my god? I haven’t pushed her to learn it or anything she’s just got the hang of it randomly lol.

I would say 2 times is pretty normal for a 2/3 year old to go. So she sounds normal. Like you say, she has a lot of fibre too. But it's nothing to worry about.
A lot of the time, it slows down to once a day once they get to 4ish.

Everybody is different so what's normal for 1 person, won't be the same for another. Even in adults, some go every 3 days, some go 3 times a day

 

[PillowsofFluff]

I wish my little girl pooed every day she only goes every 2/3 days and sometimes it's proper hard and she cries. I don't understand how she can get constipated when she lives off fruit and drinks absolutely loads.

 

[WhatABore]

I wish my little girl pooed every day she only goes every 2/3 days and sometimes it's proper hard and she cries. I don't understand how she can get constipated when she lives off fruit and drinks absolutely loads.

My 4yo is the same. She says her poops are "spikey"

 

[Definitelyme]

Triggerword - Poo!

Does anyones 2.8 year old poo so much? Some days my daughter can poo 2,3 times a day and I’m like Wtf???? She eats lots of fibre and fruit and doesn’t eat junk food, but I’m wondering if she has too much fibre. For instance she has brown seeded toast for breakfast and fruit, or weetabix/shreddies, she won’t have white bread (I don’t even buy it in), and I worry slightly she goes to the toilet more than she should. It’s not watery or anything either and she’s got no allergies/intolerances to food. She does eat ALOT of food though so I guess it’s got to go somewhere lol.

Also- talking of bowel movements I’m starting potty training this week. I’m so like wtf but i think she’s showing signs for sure, I’ve got a potty and I’ve bought some knickers so nursery will start tomorrow then I’ve got her all week and weekend to focus on it. I hope it goes well… but no pressure for either of us it just seems like a HUGE milestone but I think once she gets the jist of being dry during the day it’ll be fine. She picks things up really easily.

So another thing- sorry I’m on one this morning can anyone else’s child open the front door? So for instance if I give my keys to her, (there’s 3 on my keyring) she can pick the key it is and turn it the right way into the lock, and open the door. She hasn’t mastered locking it but she’s nearly there. This is only from her watching me open and close the door and she just wanted to copy. (I keep all keys high up at nighttime / during the day, doors are lockers when we are in the house too obviously for safety) but I showed my friend and her daughter is 4 and she can’t do that. She was like oh my god? I haven’t pushed her to learn it or anything she’s just got the hang of it randomly lol.

My eldest son can pop two times most days. He eats a lot of fruit and veg so I’ve always put it down to that.

Our door isn’t locked when we are in the house so I don’t know if my 3yo could unlock it tbh.

 

[Megatron1298]

Triggerword - Poo!

Does anyones 2.8 year old poo so much? Some days my daughter can poo 2,3 times a day and I’m like Wtf???? She eats lots of fibre and fruit and doesn’t eat junk food, but I’m wondering if she has too much fibre. For instance she has brown seeded toast for breakfast and fruit, or weetabix/shreddies, she won’t have white bread (I don’t even buy it in), and I worry slightly she goes to the toilet more than she should. It’s not watery or anything either and she’s got no allergies/intolerances to food. She does eat ALOT of food though so I guess it’s got to go somewhere lol.

Also- talking of bowel movements I’m starting potty training this week. I’m so like wtf but i think she’s showing signs for sure, I’ve got a potty and I’ve bought some knickers so nursery will start tomorrow then I’ve got her all week and weekend to focus on it. I hope it goes well… but no pressure for either of us it just seems like a HUGE milestone but I think once she gets the jist of being dry during the day it’ll be fine. She picks things up really easily.

So another thing- sorry I’m on one this morning can anyone else’s child open the front door? So for instance if I give my keys to her, (there’s 3 on my keyring) she can pick the key it is and turn it the right way into the lock, and open the door. She hasn’t mastered locking it but she’s nearly there. This is only from her watching me open and close the door and she just wanted to copy. (I keep all keys high up at nighttime / during the day, doors are lockers when we are in the house too obviously for safety) but I showed my friend and her daughter is 4 and she can’t do that. She was like oh my god? I haven’t pushed her to learn it or anything she’s just got the hang of it randomly lol.

Multiple times a day toddler poo-er here. It’s such a pain but he used to be constipated all the time so will take this as it is.. really makes me dislike doing reusable nappies some days though

 

[al255]

So potty training is going well, better than expected. Big girl knickers are on, I’ve got stickers for her chart and she went to the potty but cos she had pj pants on she went oh no cos I couldn’t get them down in time, but she understood it! So I’ve just left her in knickers now. Any other advice? I think she will get the hang of it..

We are going to the zoo on Friday but what do I do about her needing a wee etc? I don’t want her to have an accident at the zoo (wee or poo) BUT the toilets are few and far between. I’m still going to use a nappy for naptime and bedtime and just concentrate on daytime /awake time dryness first x

 

[Bobbleowl90]

My little one turns 3 in a few months and absolutely every nursery we’ve contacted has turned us away as they have no vacancies. I feel absolutely gutted that he’s going to miss out on nursery!

 

[WhatABore]

So potty training is going well, better than expected. Big girl knickers are on, I’ve got stickers for her chart and she went to the potty but cos she had pj pants on she went oh no cos I couldn’t get them down in time, but she understood it! So I’ve just left her in knickers now. Any other advice? I think she will get the hang of it..

We are going to the zoo on Friday but what do I do about her needing a wee etc? I don’t want her to have an accident at the zoo (wee or poo) BUT the toilets are few and far between. I’m still going to use a nappy for naptime and bedtime and just concentrate on daytime /awake time dryness first x

You can buy portable potties but we've always just made sure they pee at every chance and schedule heading somewhere to pee often.
Usually it's enough
Take plenty of spare clothes too

My little one turns 3 in a few months and absolutely every nursery we’ve contacted has turned us away as they have no vacancies. I feel absolutely gutted that he’s going to miss out on nursery!

My 4yo missed out on nursery and I still feel bad about it now. Even though she starts school on Monday! It still bugs me!

She was due to have her settling in sessions 2 days after the very first lockdown!
And then they gave us an option to start her in the July when things reopened a bit but we didn't want to send her in the middle of a pandemic.
We considered it, but the week I was talking to them, the nursery had to shut because the manager went in ill and gave all the staff Covid!
So because we didn't send her, we lost our place!
Nowhere else had any places after that!

 

[Jellybean093]

My little one turns 3 in a few months and absolutely every nursery we’ve contacted has turned us away as they have no vacancies. I feel absolutely gutted that he’s going to miss out on nursery!

Does this include preschools? Mine have never been to a proper nursery, but have been to preschools a couple of months after turning 2. I know the hours are shorted and it’s only term time, but it does kind of get them used to school times

 

[jackieweaver’sauthority]

So potty training is going well, better than expected. Big girl knickers are on, I’ve got stickers for her chart and she went to the potty but cos she had pj pants on she went oh no cos I couldn’t get them down in time, but she understood it! So I’ve just left her in knickers now. Any other advice? I think she will get the hang of it..

We are going to the zoo on Friday but what do I do about her needing a wee etc? I don’t want her to have an accident at the zoo (wee or poo) BUT the toilets are few and far between. I’m still going to use a nappy for naptime and bedtime and just concentrate on daytime /awake time dryness first x

I used a travel potty and I worked in toilet breaks where appropriate. She’s only just started so it helped me to expect the accident at that stage rather than worry about it. She’ll be having so much fun she might find it hard to recognise when she needs to go. I also found putting her in a dress was easier as she’d have a false start sometimes and then could hold it til I got her to the toilet. So having the dress on meant I just had to change her knickers as was only a little dribble.

 

[Definitelyme]

My little one turns 3 in a few months and absolutely every nursery we’ve contacted has turned us away as they have no vacancies. I feel absolutely gutted that he’s going to miss out on nursery!

None of mine have ever gone to anything before their preschool year at school, and they have certainly not missed out. I guess by his age his preschool year will be next year? So he will get a year then

Take a plastic cup in case you get caught and she really needs to go- smaller than a potty, but does require careful positioning

So potty training is going well, better than expected. Big girl knickers are on, I’ve got stickers for her chart and she went to the potty but cos she had pj pants on she went oh no cos I couldn’t get them down in time, but she understood it! So I’ve just left her in knickers now. Any other advice? I think she will get the hang of it..

We are going to the zoo on Friday but what do I do about her needing a wee etc? I don’t want her to have an accident at the zoo (wee or poo) BUT the toilets are few and far between. I’m still going to use a nappy for naptime and bedtime and just concentrate on daytime /awake time dryness first x

Take a plastic cup in case you get caught and she really needs to go- smaller than a potty, but does require careful positioning
Night time dryness is hormonal, and so the time between day and night dryness can be vastly different.

 

[al255]

Thanks everyone for your advice re: potty training. It’s cold here atm so she defo won’t be in a dress but like you said I’ll just have to keep asking her! It’s not the end of the world is it. I mean how often do we need a wee ?! 4 times a day maybe?

I’m sorry your little one isn’t able to go to nursery/pre school @Bobbleowl90 .. All the nurseries etc up here are full too. I’m in north west! I had my daughter on a waiting list for the nursery she’s at now and I’m unable to add any “ad hoc” days, even when she gets 30 hours free they can’t even accommodate another day it’s so hard!

 

[al255]

So. We’ve been at my dads all afternoon and we kept asking her if she needed a wee and she said no, low and behold she did a wee, she did another one later on and just sat there in wet pants on her quad bike (until I noticed) and she didn’t even tell me she had done a wee. She farted twice then I said do you need a poo and she said no, then she did a poo.

Is this normal?????? I’m stressed out and it’s only been a day. I’ve put a nappy on her cos we aren’t going home for 15 mins and I don’t want her weeing on their sofa

So I’ve decided I’m not potty training her for a few months now. I don’t think she’s ready. I’m gunna do it when we get back off hol in October, today has been way more stressful than I feel it should have been and she’s only 2.7 years old.

 

[GlennCoco]

So. We’ve been at my dads all afternoon and we kept asking her if she needed a wee and she said no, low and behold she did a wee, she did another one later on and just sat there in wet pants on her quad bike (until I noticed) and she didn’t even tell me she had done a wee. She farted twice then I said do you need a poo and she said no, then she did a poo.

Is this normal?????? I’m stressed out and it’s only been a day. I’ve put a nappy on her cos we aren’t going home for 15 mins and I don’t want her weeing on their sofa

So I’ve decided I’m not potty training her for a few months now. I don’t think she’s ready. I’m gunna do it when we get back off hol in October, today has been way more stressful than I feel it should have been and she’s only 2.7 years old.

This was normal for us - MiniGlenCoco did amazing on her first day but then her second day was just accident after accident. The third day was marginally better and the 4th was a bit better and we just kept with it. By day 7 or 8 she was pretty much done.

She was a bit older at just over 3 years old though so she might have understood a bit better.

And you know your little one better than anyone else so if you don't feel she is ready then that's the right decision for you guys

 

[al255]

This was normal for us - MiniGlenCoco did amazing on her first day but then her second day was just accident after accident. The third day was marginally better and the 4th was a bit better and we just kept with it. By day 7 or 8 she was pretty much done.

She was a bit older at just over 3 years old though so she might have understood a bit better.

And you know your little one better than anyone else so if you don't feel she is ready then that's the right decision for you guys

Yeah I think she’s just abit too young to get it. My Dad & step mum, grandma where all on at me to get her out of nappies and I kept saying she isn’t ready at all. So. They can do1 now

 

[Jellybean093]

So. We’ve been at my dads all afternoon and we kept asking her if she needed a wee and she said no, low and behold she did a wee, she did another one later on and just sat there in wet pants on her quad bike (until I noticed) and she didn’t even tell me she had done a wee. She farted twice then I said do you need a poo and she said no, then she did a poo.

Is this normal?????? I’m stressed out and it’s only been a day. I’ve put a nappy on her cos we aren’t going home for 15 mins and I don’t want her weeing on their sofa

So I’ve decided I’m not potty training her for a few months now. I don’t think she’s ready. I’m gunna do it when we get back off hol in October, today has been way more stressful than I feel it should have been and she’s only 2.7 years old.

I know they normally say girls are easier to potty train, but honestly, my 2 boys were so much easier than their sister. Although, looking back now, she had just turned 2, and was probably no where near ready
She’s still only little. Before I decided to tackle potty training with my toddler, I would just leave him naked all day (I say I would leave him, but he actually loves being naked. Always strips when we walk in the door!) and he would hold his wee until bed/nap time where he’d wee in his nappy
If it’s stressing you both out, I would delay it. There’s no rush. She won’t be in a nappy forever!

 

[GlennCoco]

Yeah I think she’s just abit too young to get it. My Dad & step mum, grandma where all on at me to get her out of nappies and I kept saying she isn’t ready at all. So. They can do1 now

Oh honestly my mum made me feel so guilty that MiniGlenCoco wasn't out of nappies earlier but tbh I'm glad I did it when I did because I do feel that she understood better and it didn't take us long at all. It worked for us and that's all that matters!

 

[Definitelyme]

So. We’ve been at my dads all afternoon and we kept asking her if she needed a wee and she said no, low and behold she did a wee, she did another one later on and just sat there in wet pants on her quad bike (until I noticed) and she didn’t even tell me she had done a wee. She farted twice then I said do you need a poo and she said no, then she did a poo.

Is this normal?????? I’m stressed out and it’s only been a day. I’ve put a nappy on her cos we aren’t going home for 15 mins and I don’t want her weeing on their sofa

So I’ve decided I’m not potty training her for a few months now. I don’t think she’s ready. I’m gunna do it when we get back off hol in October, today has been way more stressful than I feel it should have been and she’s only 2.7 years old.

One tip I always give is never, ever EVER ask them if they need the toilet. They will ALWAYS say no, because they don’t always recognise those feelings yet, and then when they pee five minutes later adults get annoyed because they just asked. When you keep asking over and over they just tune you out as well.
Instead, you TELL them it’s time to use the toilet now. If they are being fussy, offer the choice potty or toilet, upstairs or downstairs toilet, to give them the control, but you just say “Oh it’s time to try the toilet” and off you go. We call it a “try wee wee” in our house, and always use the phrase “if nothing happens, that’s ok”.

But yes, a few accidents is 100% normal, including not telling you about it. My 3yo woke up one day at 2y2mo and just started using the toilet herself. She did it all on her own, we just went with it. But she still had accidents occasionally because it takes them a good while to recognise the feelings and be able to act on them in time.

All this potty training in 3 days stuff is pure crap. I highly doubt after 3 days any parent has ever, ever not mentioned the toilet to their child again! Even now at 9, 6 and 3 we still remins ours to use the toilet before we go out in the car etc. it’s a process, and it takes time.

ETA: and it can be v stressful, and at times you wonder why on earth you thought it was a good idea but that’s also normal!

 

[al255]

Thank you both xx I really appreciate your advice and it’s made me feel less of a crappy mum (which I know I’m not) but you know when people are like forcing something upon you!! I’m going to stick to my guns and try once we are back from hols. Next week we are going to a theatre show and then CBeebies land again so I don’t want to be worrying about whether she’s gunna wet herself if we are waiting in a queue thanks again xx