Poop accidents

[CParker]

My 4 year old has been potty-trained since shortly after 2 y/o but has recently started having small poop accidents. It started in September when we went camping and she didn't like using the porta-potties. But it has continued since then, intermittently. She'll be fine for a few weeks, then might have poop accidents for a few days, then go another few weeks without another episode. A lot of times we're at home when it happens, so its not an issue with using a public toilet anymore.

I'm at a total loss as to what to do. We see her pediatrician next week to rule out any sort of medical problem. I've asked her why she's having accidents and have never gotten an answer. Nothing has really changed in our lives, so I don't think that's causing it. She seems embarrassed about it, so I don't think its an attention getting thing.

We've tried enthusiastic encouragement, bribes, withholding privlidges (can't go over to friends' houses alone since she has accidents). Nothing seems to help. Right now we don't make a big deal about it and just help her get cleaned up.

Any suggestions, thoughts, anything?

[jillmamma]

Commiseration! My 4yo still occasionally will do this too, but in her case it is usually because she is coming down with a cold or something...she tends to have accidents when she does not feel the best. Gross, isn't it? I just keep a spare set of clothes (and plastic bag for the dirty ones) with me at all times, and have her help me clean up (she can take off dirty clothes, help wipe up any mess on floor), then we go on with our day. I do talk to her about how much better it feels to do it in the potty, so next time she says she will do it there. I myself had pee accidents even at school at ages 6 and 7, so I kind of can see where she is coming from, but still not fun to clean up, especially since I am 8 months pg! Not really sure what else I can do but wait it out till she outgrows doing it and make sure she does not go too long before going potty.