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Only pooing in a nappy -help!🆘

A Parents review from working with Littlelifesteps.

Our POO💩 Journey to Potty Training Success.🚽

By Sarah Morgan.


My daughter and I have been on an eventful journey to toileting success.
It began with learning how to become her toileting partner and it’s a partnership which has faced challenges along the way but it’s resulted in triumph and success.
I started with no prior knowledge of how to toilet train my child but Sue from Littlelifesteps has supported me every step of the way. 

Discovering Littlelifesteps

From Toddler Tantrums to Potty Training.

 I first discovered Sue through my business Little Story Shapers as she was looking for someone to give advice to parents on her Toddlers Throwing Wobblers course.
I spoke about how storytelling and drama can help support language and communication skills as reading and role-play are two fantastic ways to help children with this, which in turn can help reduce wobblers.

We then went on to work together on School Readiness, where we supported parents with ways to prepare their children for school through drama and play.
You can purchase my PDF here on 
3 ways to help prepare little one for school and 5 ideas on how to create role play for school scenarios.

When it came to the time of Potty Training my daughter I knew exactly what I needed to do…Littlelifesteps Potty Training course!
This course is a comprehensive guide to support parents with achieving this developmental milestone. With a step by step guide to preparing your child before you even begin, then lots of practical, helpful advice to make it a success and ways to tackle those challenges you may face along the way, this course will allow your child to use the toilet independently.

Sue has a wealth of experience and knowledge and she genuinely cares about supporting parents in a way that works for them and their families.
She places the child at the centre and empowers you to work alongside you child, creating a partnership together.
I finished the course feeling ready and also excited to start, which was down to the positive attitude Sue had instilled. 

Littlelifesteps guide to a nappy free child.

The Power of Play and Positive Reinforcement: Preparing for Potty Training

We started potty training by following the preparation steps explained in the course, including changing her nappy in the toilet, using positive language around toileting and introducing her to the toilet area.
I read my daughter a selection of books to help prepare her as books are excellent ways to help teach new concepts and ideas.
Books provide children with visual illustrations, tangible and relatable characters and plots which introduce and explain new concepts in language they can understand. 

We set up role-play scenarios where her teddys had a go at doing wees and poos on the potty. We even made play-doh wees and poos!
The time then came to say goodbye to our nappies. We had a few tears and struggles but on the whole she did brilliantly and before long she was consistently weeing on the potty which was a fantastic achievement.  

 

Dealing with Constipation: Challenges and Strategies

However, we struggled with poos.
My daughter suffered with constipation and we went through a very challenging time with her struggling to go for a poo.
Although we had said goodbye to the nappies, we still used a nappy at bedtime and unfortunately a habit was created where she would wait until bedtime to do a poo in her nappy.
We went to the doctor regarding the constipation and after time we were referred to a consultant. Eventually we began a regular course of stool softener, which I learnt is very different to a laxative. It took a long time to get to this stage but gradually I learnt ways to manage and help her constipation. However, we tried a whole host of different strategies to support her pooing on the toilet but to no avail. 

1:2:1 consultation with Sue

The time then came when I felt we really needed to tackle this, so I arranged a 1:2:1 consultation with Sue.
 I completed a survey about my daughter so she knew our situation in advance. The meeting then went into a detailed plan for how to say goodbye to the nappies once and for all.
Sue explained a range of different ideas for ways to support my daughter, we spoke about her temperament and what I felt would work best for her. Once again, that ethos of partnership was nurtured and I finished the meeting feeling ready to support my daughter. 

Saying Goodbye to Nappies: A Countdown Chart and Support from Sue

 Sue created us a countdown chart which was Paw Patrol themed, as this is my daughter’s favourite TV show, and a positive mindset poem written for her.
I then used the power of drama and role-play once more and put this in an envelope and pretended that Skye had sent it directly to her!
She absolutely loved this and totally bought into it.
We counted down 10 days to saying goodbye to our nappies and during the whole process we explored feelings, emotions and strategies to help her do her poos on the toilet.
On day 10, she was ready but we then faced what I had feared, 5 days without her pooing.

During these 5 days Sue was on hand to help. She went above and beyond sending advice and creating another chart for her.
I tried to remain positive, but it was hard to see her in discomfort and her behaviour reflected this as she was irritable and emotional (so was I at times!).
But on day 5, with some more tricks to try from Sue, we had our first successful poo on the toilet. And I can safely say I have never been so happy to see a poo!
From there on it was plain sailing! We continued to follow the strategies and I can happily say she now independently poos on the toilet.

Next steps.

 Our next step, is bottom wiping! Which Sue has a whole host of videos on so I’m sure that will be another successful milestone we will complete. 

I can honestly say that without Sue’s support we would not have had the success that we have in such a positive, collaborative way. Along our journey I have felt empowered by Sue to help my daughter and I’m now so pleased with our achievements. 
 
Recommend reaching out. 

I would urge anyone who is experiencing difficulties with any area of their child’s development to speak to Sue. 

She will welcome you with open arms and genuinely support you, no judgements made and your own ethos valued. 

There is no guidebook given to you when you become a parent. You walk out of the hospital with a baby to look after and we are all finding our feet and learning how to raise our children. 

However, Sue makes this process easier and she can be your very own parent guidebook!



Thanks Sarah.

I couldn't be happier that this little girl is now doing all her poos on the toilet.
If your little one is struggling please reach out and book a free 15 minute call with me to see how I can support you.
Sue x