Is this a potty pause (strike)? What to do?

[HappyMonkey]

We've had our baby mostly diaper free since birth. Cuing her the first few months, then from months 4-8 we suddenly GOT it and caught 90% of her eliminations. She was so happy when she went (we used the sink as I found seeing her in the mirror helped me know when she was done).

She's 9.5 months old and started crawling. Now when I take her to the bathroom if she's anything but super sleepy, she arches her back and won't do anything. Then she sits on the wood floor, looks down and pees! Or crouches holding onto the bottom step and poos (only happened once so far but she painted with it for 5 minutes before I saw her!).

She seems very conscious of what she's doing. If I take her to the bathroom after she goes there's nothing left. Nighttime in the bed is mostly dry, and if she wakes she will go in the bathroom at night.

I'm staying non judgmental... but what is the best thing to do to somewhat keep her moving forward with her EC experience? Or just relax and see what happens? I pulled out her little potties and have one in the bathroom and one on the living room floor. She seems to think it's a horsey and rides it around the living room though.

Would love some ideas!

[hrsmom]

With us, there were always blips and pauses and things like that! Just roll with it, maybe try some fun toys to have at the potty? It'll pass!

[heatherr30]

I would be sure to stick with the night time pottying, if that is going well. Then at least she doesn't forget what the potty is for, and you have a chance of getting back on track when this phase passes.

This age is very frustrating. I didn't do EC with DD, but I remember she had a fascination with dumping her water out.... on the floor, on herself, or wherever. It took months and months of reminders and repeating myself before she stopped doing it. But she did, eventually, learn not to dump her drink out. In the meantime I tried to give her lots of opportunities to play with water in appropriate environments and even let her take the drink bottle into the bath to play with. (of course then she wanted to drink the bath water hehe) Maybe you could try the same thing with your DD--since she's going thru an "exploring" stage maybe try letting her pee in new locations--the big toilet, the bathtub, outside, etc etc? Or get one of those potties that plays a tune or lights up when you pee in it?

[hrsmom]

Also, at that age, sometimes it's good to offer less often.