Who you callin' anal-retentive?

I'm familiar with the term anal-retentive as an insult. It never really came into play during our potty training efforts. Now after my 3-year-old just suffered from a really nasty tummy bug, she's avoiding the toilet at all cost and denying any need to go "number 2." I know you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. Likewise, you can beg the kid to go to the toilet, but you can't make her poop. I'm kind of freaking out here. It's been days... I don't want her to get constipated after having had the runs. Any advice for me ReadySetMoms?

Comments

[Meg]

Try Plum Juice. You can find it on the juice isle right next to the prune juice. And I have also been told raisens...but I have not tried that on my A.R. 4-yr old.
:-)

[Erin]

How about a breakfast of high fiber cereal and a little coffee (lots of milk). She won't be able to deny the need to go. She may also just be saving it up after being so emptied out by the illness. Maybe some of that laxative tea in the natural tea section? Good Luck!

[Max]

My 3yrold son had the same setback after a horrible stomach bug. He had been sooo good w/ toilet training, but took a temporary step backwards, afraid to poop on the pot afterwards...It lasted , perhaps, at most, a week...He'd beg to wear pullups so he could poop w/o sitting on the pot...after some cajoling, and positive reinforcement and patience, his fear eventually subsided ... so hang in there.

[Merry]

My 4 yr old daughter is just getting over a bad tummy bug too...and is afraid to poop as well. It's been 3 days now and this morning she was complaining that her tummy hurt, but she doesn't want to sit on the toilet and go. She had past poop issues when she was 3(would hold her poop for up to 5-7 days...). Pears work great, and pear juice has a similar effect as prune juice--but tastes better. You can find in the Organics section at Fred Meyer or Safeway. Also, we would cut back on milk and cheese for a day and push peas and broccoli and whole grains. Oh--and running around/playing/exercise always helped her get things moving. Good luck!