Q&A: My toddler refuses to poop on the potty. What can I do?

To get a child to poop in the toilet, try these approaches:

1. Have him practice twice a day. Don't expect performance; just encourage practice with the expectation that in his own way and time he will poop on the toilet.>
   
   
2. After your child poops in a diaper or disposable training pant and after you've cleaned him up, have him flush the poop down the toilet and then set him on the potty. Have him sit there for only a minute or so; read a short story, if necessary, to keep him sitting there. Be encouraging and upbeat: Say something like, "Someday you'll poop on the potty just like mommy ( or daddy, brother, or sister).
   
   
3. Pretend that a doll or Teddy bears goes poop in the potty. Make up a story about a doll who didn't go in the potty but then magically one day the doll decided to go all on her own. Build on the story to reflect your child's real life potty and pooping situation.
   
   
4. Most important, realize this is just about all you can do. It's your child's body; he will perform once his mind and body are ready to do so. This readiness connection you can't force or hurry.