When it comes to teaching their child to use the potty, few things get parents reacting more quickly than a problem with bowel movement training.

It can be so frustrating to have some sort of success with helping your child understand what peeing in the toilet means, and then have no success whatsoever with pooping. The truth is that bowel movement training is more confusing to many toddlers.

Based on potty training my own four children and listening to a wide variety of moms, here are some guidelines to help your potty trainee connect the dots and poop in the potty chair.

— Reading the signs.

Does your toddler understand the physical cues telling him that a bowel movement is imminent? Help him out by watching him yourself for a few days and reading his body language for him.

Some kids get very quiet or go hide by themselves right before bowel movements. Some grimace or strain, or get a faraway look. Now is not the time to be shy with your child. When you take notice of any of these bodily cues, take your toddler or preschooler by the hand and usher her into the bathroom with words to the effect of “I can see you are ready to poop into the potty chair now (or whatever bathroom language your family uses) and when we feel like you feel right now, it’s time to go sit on the potty chair.”

Of course, you will need to repeat this procedure daily for as long as it takes for your child to pick up on his own cues and use the potty on his own. This may take a very long time and you’ll need to be extremely patient. It’s helpful to remember that while you as a parent are anxious for your son or daughter to complete potty training, your child honestly doesn’t care as much.

— Look for a schedule.

Just as in adulthood, many children experience a bowel movement at a similar time each day or in connection with eating a meal. Observe your child’s rhythms and begin a schedule of sitting on the potty each day at the appropriate time.

If nothing happens after a reasonable time (say, 10 minutes), let your child up from the potty chair. If your child does have a bowel movement, however, praise, hug and talk a bit about the success and how it felt – literally. This, too, helps connect the dots in a child’s mind between what you are talking about and what you physically expect of her.

— Having trouble.

If your child has experienced difficulty in passing a bowel movement before, it’s easy for him to get scared, tense up, and magnify his difficulties for future movements.

Helping a child “re-set” himself, so to speak can be tricky. The first thing you want to check is your child’s diet.

Make sure all food is healthy and contains an adequate amount of fiber. Fruits, veggies and whole grains contribute to fiber intake. Make sure that plenty of liquids are being consumed. Kids get active and forget to drink; worse yet is drinking too many sugary drinks.

Kids need plain water. Period. If you’re complaining that your child won’t drink water, then may I gently ask if YOU have adequate, plain water throughout your day.

A parent who is modeling drinking regular water will have a child who is more likely to ask for water for themselves. It really does work that way.

Natural remedies such as honey or prunes often work. I had a toddler with constipation issues and a spoonful of honey first thing in the morning – every morning – helped tremendously. Remember, if you try something like this, brush your child’s teeth immediately after the honey to prevent cavities.

Trying a natural remedy often helps to regulate bowel movements, too, which means it’s easier to spot the daily time when your little one needs to sit on her potty chair. Putting these ideas together will solve many bowel movement issues, but certainly not all.

If your child’s difficulties continue, do see your pediatrician for advice. By staying calm and matter-of-fact yourself, your child will eventually learn to read his own body language and understand what he needs to do at the appropriate time.

And remember, when it comes to potty training and bowel movements, unlimited hugs go a long ways, too.

Author Bio: Colleen Langenfeld has potty trained four kids and helps moms get more out of their mothering at http://www.paintedgold.com . Toilet train faster using her potty reward charts and creative ideas plus uncover more about potty training and bowel movements by visiting her website today.

Category: Parenting
Keywords: potty training bowel,potty training bowel movements,potty training,toilet training