Toddler indepedence regression with new baby

[flower01]

Ok, i need help here. This is not just a potty issue, but it's the area that is most frustrating. My DD 33 months, was fully pottytrained before new baby was born. She did it on her own - we did not "train" her at all. We always wiped poop, but a lot of times she wouldn't even let us near the bathroom if she peed. Anyway, now baby is 4 months old and DD refuses to potty without help. She can reach the light with a stool, but won't do it...she can wipe after she pees, won't do it. I don't mind helping her, but I swear she decides she has to go potty every single time I stop to nurse the baby ( ok, that's an exageration).

So I guess my question is...how do i encourage the independence that she once had? Do I just need to be firm that once I start nursing the baby I can't get up? I just really don't want her to pee on the floor when I'm 6 feet away (she did that when the baby was first born and I was on bedrest).

[twinergy]

I'm surprised nobody has answered. I'm sure someone out there has been through something similar.

[lach]

Oooooh yeah. So annoying. My daughter was suddenly unable to open doors that weren't even closed. I mean, they were mostly closed, but not latched or anything. She'd stand there wailing "Open doooor! Help open doooor!"

I wish I had good advice. It helps to give her some ownership over some of the jobs that need to be done. For example, it's DD's job to hand me baby's diaper and some wipes. Very important job, and I have no idea what I'd do without her super duper big sister help But even so, she still has her moments.

[Catherine12]

I've been through this. I can't offer a magic bullet, but my advice is to be firm that sometimes you have to be with the baby, and to encourage her to do things for herself, but don't make too big a deal out of her behavior (she is probably doing this to get attention). Try to give her extra positive attention when she does do things independently. This phase will pass. Eventually.