DD prefers to poop when she is alone

[MamaPhD]

Hi mamas,
I just noticed recently that DD likes to poop when she is by herself. Not worried or anything, but I find it kinda curious and interesting. DD is 13 mo. Sometimes she plays by herself when I go to the bathroom or when I take a couple of mommy breaks (10-15 min on computer, etc.) throughout the day. When I come back to her room, I can smell it already sometims! Also when we are traveling or when we have guests over, she doesn't poop until things come back to normal. Any other toddlers out there are psychological poopers? Like I said, just curious!

[AnnieA]

In my experience, that's usually a good time to start considering potty learning. She seems a *little* young but if she is already choosing her time and location for BMs, then she is fairly aware of what her body is doing. I usually don't see that type of behavior until they are around 18-20 mo but some kids, especially girls, can potty learn earlier.

[lizzylou]

My 16 month old has been doing the same thing at naptime. It's like he wants to be alone in the crib before he poops.

Wow, I never considered that it could be a good time for potty learning! Seems so early.

[sunshadow]

My dd is older and uses the toilet, but she insists that we stay with her while she poops and sometimes she takes forever. We are trying to teach her pooping is private, but when we leave her she just keeps calling for us. I wish she had to do it in private.

[_betsy_]

Don't *you* prefer to be alone?

DD1 always would stand under the (tall) dining room table to poop. Then she'd come out from under the tablecloth with a big grin!

[mi_amor]

DS is 15 1/2 months and has started doing this as well. He sneaks away and comes back to me and says "poop." I wasn't sure where to start with potty learning, or if I should wait until he's older. He seems to understand when he pooped though...or at least says "poop."

[ZippyGirl]

Yes, mine always liked to be alone. Now that she is toilet trained, if she has to poop, she says, "Mommy, I'd like some privacy." Too cute!

[SparklingGemini]

I like to poop when I'm alone too!

Maybe you should leave the potty out for her to get comfy with and starting sitting on when you leave the room. She might surprise you and start going!

[pacificbliss]

DS was like this. Now he uses the potty, if he just needs to pee the door is open. if he has to poop he closes the door.

[MamaPhD]

AnnieA: wow, I haven't even thought of potty training at all yet until you mentioned it. She seems so young. But then again, might be worth a try I guess. What you said makes sense!

betsy: yes! ha ha ha!

[vegemamato]

My 23 month old prefers to poo alone under the dining room table too

luckily we don't have carpet

If I were you, I'd pull out a potty chair and let your little one try it out (we've had nekkid time with an accessable seat for a year or so now, and just clean up as necessary)

Have fun

[daniturtle]

yup, my 15 month old does this. I "need" to start potty learning, gently & with no great expectations. Right now if I can still see her - she's in my line of sight in another room or something and I know what's happening (she has a pooping face) - I will say "poops! you are pooping!" just to give a verbal cue. She will then grab her crotch/diaper. We have a couple of pottys around but they are both in the bathroom and that's not wher she tends to go, I think I'll move them out of the bathrooms.

Thalia has always preferred pooping at home. The only exceptions are a few times at airports. Funny kid.

[LinzyJ]

yes, My DS Potty learned at 22 Months. I noticed that if it was just pee pee I could stay in the bathroom and he didn't say anything. If he needed to poo poo, he would wave his hand and say "away"!!!! I would stand outside the door till he was done!!! So funny! I def. agree to possible start Potty learning, but not with too high expectations. This is the perfect time to get ready for potty learning, and who knows maybe it will just work!