What Are Some Potty Training Problems for a 3-Year-Old?
Potty training is a stressful period that can lead parents to feel deficient, particularly if their child hasn't potty trained by the time he turns 3. Many know children of their friends and family members who already wear underwear full-time by that age, and the comparisons can make parents wonder what they are doing wrong. Still, even though children often potty train before age 3, it is normal for toddlers over that age to continue struggling with a variety of potty training problems.
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Rejecting Potty
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One frustrating potty training problem is a 3-year-old's complete refusal to use a potty chair, whether at home, at daycare or while traveling. Toddlers may refuse to sit on a potty because they are frightened by the sounds it makes or the way waste products disappear with the water. Sometimes they don't feel ready to give up the familiar comfort of diapers, particularly if they are undergoing a change, such as moving to a new home or starting preschool. Other times, rejecting the potty chair may be a way to maintain control if parents push too hard for potty training, possibly out of embarrassment that their child is taking longer than "normal" to train.
Holding Bowel Movements
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Some 3-year-olds willingly urinate in the potty chair but insist on having bowel movements (BMs) in their diapers or training pants. Toddlers may refuse to pass a BM in the toilet if doing so hurts. Constipation, which creates small tears in a child's rectum if she strains, can make BMs painful. Eating too many acidic foods may result in BMs that irritate a child's bottom. Some children fear having a BM in the toilet, possibly because they don't want to make a mess.
Day Accidents
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Many 3-year-olds still have trouble with daytime accidents. A 2002 study in "Pediatrics" found that 50 percent of girls didn't stay dry during the day until 32 1/2 months and 50 percent of boys didn't reach this milestone until 35 months. While many toddlers haven't been completely daytime trained until they were over 3 years of age, parents still find accidents frustrating, particularly if their child had previously stayed dry with no problems. Changes in a toddler's routine, such as moving into a big boy bed or the introduction of a new sibling, may make him want to revert to the familiar world of babyhood and diapers.
Night Accidents
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One of the last potty training skills children develop is the ability to stay dry overnight. The 2002 "Pediatrics" study reports that 50 percent of girls don't stay dry overnight until 34.1 months and it takes 50 percent of boys until 35.8 months to do so. Parents may feel disappointed about having to continue putting their 3-year-olds in training pants or diapers overnight, but nighttime accidents at this age are normal. In fact, many children continue wetting the bed until they reach school age. According to PediatricEducation.org, 7 percent of 7-year-olds still have more than two accidents at night per month.
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Its understandable that youre concerned about your sons recent regression in potty training. Its important to remember that setbacks happen, and this doesnt mean hes not potty trained or that youve done anything wrong. Heres a guide to help you navig
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Potty training, like other milestones, happens at different times for different kids. If your child is four years old and not potty trained, its important to not get frustrated. Instead, start the process again with a new approach. The most important
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Potty training can give a little boy a huge sense of pride and accomplishment. Occasionally, however, problems can arise: for example, he might be afraid to have a bowel movement in the potty. Its important to get to the root of these troubles and re
