Frustrated mother

[Ziggy68]

My little boy turned 3 in August and I have EC'd him since he was 6 months old. Up untill this summer we have hardly had any poodiapers and he has been almost dry this summer but with some periods of many accidents. But now I am really frustrated, cuz he is pooing in his panties EVERY time. He sticks his butt up in the air, and we just KNOW that he is preparing to go poo, but if we ask him he says "no, I do not need to go, and I will let you know if I need to go". Which is not true, cuz if I look in his panties he has already started pooping! I have tried to remaine calm, and have thought that it will pass, but it has now been going on for some time and I can hardly stand it any longer. I know it might have to do with the fact that I am pregnant, and he is saying that he is a little baby. I do not like the idea of putting him back into diapers but at the same time I am getting sick of cleaning out panties with poo.

Do you have any suggestions, anyone?

All the other kids his age around us that have NOT been EC'd are dry and have less and less peeing accidents, and NO pooing accidents. It makes me believe that the fact that I EC'd might not have been a good thing for us. I might have had too much focus on the matter. This is what my husband believes!

[hrsmom]

Hi Ziggy- I don't have any suggestions, really, my LO is only 18 months so I know nothing about 3 years old! I just wanted to say that I think you did a good thing by ECing, I don't think you caused this by having used EC. There are some moms who post here with older kids, too, and they might have some suggestions for you!

[sgmom]

My daughter is 12 months old and the only child I've ever ec'd. I have however, done potty training with several older kids (I worked as a nanny for several years) and what you're describing does sound like what you explained it to be.

Have you tried talking to him about what the new baby means for him? Perhaps if you gave him a few minutes of "big boy chores" (maybe 15 minutes) followed by so many minutes of "baby time" (maybe 30), it will help even things out in his mind.

At 3 years old he's very capable of explaining to you what's going on with him, but he might need a little help from you to make that happen. If he were allowed to have his baby time, yet see that his responsibilities of being a big brother is exciting and he won't be left out, that could help things fall right back into place.

[Ziggy68]

Originally Posted by hrsmom

Hi Ziggy- I don't have any suggestions, really, my LO is only 18 months so I know nothing about 3 years old! I just wanted to say that I think you did a good thing by ECing, I don't think you caused this by having used EC. There are some moms who post here with older kids, too, and they might have some suggestions for you!

I really want to believe that it was a good thing to EC him, and have been excited about the whole EC thing up untill now that this is happening. Thank you for your reply and your support hrsmom!

Originally Posted by sgmom

My daughter is 12 months old and the only child I've ever ec'd. I have however, done potty training with several older kids (I worked as a nanny for several years) and what you're describing does sound like what you explained it to be.

Have you tried talking to him about what the new baby means for him? Perhaps if you gave him a few minutes of "big boy chores" (maybe 15 minutes) followed by so many minutes of "baby time" (maybe 30), it will help even things out in his mind.

At 3 years old he's very capable of explaining to you what's going on with him, but he might need a little help from you to make that happen. If he were allowed to have his baby time, yet see that his responsibilities of being a big brother is exciting and he won't be left out, that could help things fall right back into place.

Thank you for your reply and support sgmom! I have tried talking to him about this, but not exactly the way you decribe, so I might try that. He is though very excited about the arriving of the baby: wants to say goodmorning to my belly and give it kisses etc, and he talkes about the fact that he is excited about becoming a big brother.

[catccc]

I think people that aren't totally on board with EC find it easy to single out as a reason for other potty troubles, just because it is different. My DD is 11.5 months, so I can't say much about your situation. I do think from what you describe that it is just part of a regressing thing that lots of kids do when a new sibling is on the way. I know another kid who was 3 when her little sister was due to arrive, and before the birth, she was constantly peeing on the floor, even asking for a bottle, etc. It's totally normal for kids to regress when a sibling is on the way, and I doubt the fact that you ECed has anything to do with it.

I tell friends that even if ECing doesn't help her grad faster, at the very least she didn't constantly have poo on her bum as a baby! Every catch counts for her comfort, and I'm glad to help her with it.