Potty Training Troubleshooting: Experts Help Resolve Overlooked Issues

When we see kids in our office for constipation, toileting challenges, or potty training problems, we often discover there is more going on than just their diet, hydration, or pelvic floor. They may not get the concept of pooping in the potty, or it may be something else happening that is related to their senses. This is when we start potty training troubleshooting. 

The Role of the Sensory System and Using the Potty

Your child’s sensory system plays a major role in how they experience going to the bathroom and can directly impact how and when they pee and poop. There are a plethora of issues - some of them could be sensory issues — that could be disrupting your child’s acceptance of using the potty.

For example, a child with sensory processing disorder (SPD) likely experiences stress and anxiety throughout their body. This can cause the tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, which may slow down digestion, which may cause stool to sit in the rectum longer, becoming more dehydrated leading to constipation.

Sensory issues that affect using the potty can be anything from interoception (how your body feels internally in response to internal or external stimuli) to the child not liking how the toilet paper or toilet seat feels. 

In addition to our strategies for addressing constipation and withholding behaviors, we have many ideas to help your kiddo if they are struggling with a sensory issue that is contributing to their toileting challenges. Even if your child doesn’t have SPD, we find that we talk about these issues with many families we work with.

Below are some of the common sensory challenges kids have that make potty time stressful for parents and kids and suggestions for overcoming them.

Common Sensory Issues and Solutions That Affect Toileting Behavior

Problem - Discomfort: Child dislikes the feel of scratchy, dry, rough toilet paper on their bottom, or they fear touching the poop by accident while wiping.

Solutions: Try flushable wet wipes, a wipe warmer, or a bidet!  Yes, bidets are back in style and one can easily be installed on your existing toilet for very little money or effort!  In case you’re unfamiliar, a bidet uses a stream of water to get you clean!

Problem - Interoception: Interoception is the 6th sense that has recently become more well-known. It’s the body’s ability to connect between what we feel and what action we should take when we have that feeling.

We know the signals the body sends us when we’re hungry (empty stomach, growling, low energy, headache), and that’s how we know we should eat.

It’s the same for going potty. We may feel pressure in the pelvic area, have gas and cramping, and feel antsy, and we know to go use the bathroom. Some kids don’t know how to connect these sensations with the action needed.

Solution:  Seek out an Occupational Therapist and/or Physical Therapist who has been trained specifically to help resolve this issue. For more help with Interoception, check out Kelly Mahler’s work.

Problem - The Strip Down: Some kids want to take off every piece of clothing each time they use the bathroom!

Solution:  You will just have to wait it out for this one It won’t last forever!  Just allow it because it is helping them in some way.  They will grow out of this eventually.  Don’t worry, they won’t still be stripping down when they get to elementary school!

Problem - Your Child Will Only Poop in a Pull Pp: Some kids will only poop if they’re wearing a diaper or pull up. Some will even ask for one to poop in while they are willing to pee on the toilet.

Think about it, they have been wearing a diaper since birth and know no other way!  They’re used to feeling the dampness of pee or poop against their skin, so it doesn’t bother them. It’s their normal.

Solution: Some kids need the feeling of something around their waist to give feedback and just the slightest bit of pressure. In this situation, we recommend making a small hole in the pull up, and cutting it bigger and bigger over a period of time. Eventually the only thing left will be the band around the child’s waist. A belt can be a good option to try,too.

Problem - Environment: If you have a child with SPD or who is sensitive to their environment, you know how big of an impact the environment around the child can make. The same goes for the bathroom. Some kids dislike the smell in the bathroom and have a gag reflex that kicks in. Even clean bathrooms smell weird sometimes!

Solutions: Use some candles or pleasant-smelling spray. If the room is too bright or too dark, use lower-watt light bulbs or add some twinkle lights. If they don’t like how the bathroom looks, let them decorate it! Have them help you pick out some décor they like to make it feel comfy or fun!  Let them bring a favorite stuffed animal or toy in with them.  If they have a toy potty, the doll or stuffed animal can go to the potty at the same time!

Problem - It’s Painful to Sit on the Potty: Many kids say it hurts when they are sitting on the potty, and it’s the toilet seat that’s bothering them.  Toilet seats are sized for adult bottoms, so it makes sense their little tushies aren’t comfortable!

Solution: Get a smaller toilet seat insert made specifically for potty training or a padded cushy seat to make them more comfortable.

Problem - Fear: Adults and children alike can be startled by the loud flush of a public toilet that can sometimes sound like a freight train is coming through the wall!

Solution: Use a sticky note to cover the sensor so it won’t flush, or put some headphones with music on while your child is in the bathroom.

Problem - It’s Disgusting! Sometimes kids just can’t stand the sight or smell of their own poop!

Solution:  Just cover up the poop with toilet paper before standing up. If the smell bothers them, use a spray like Poo-pourri before they go. You can also let them choose the scent so you know it’s one they’ll like.

Problem Oral Sensory Issues That Affect Toileting Behaviors: Sensory processing disorders don’t just impact toileting behaviors, they also impact what and how much a child may eat.

Kids who are picky eaters may have an oral sensory issue going on that is contributing to their discerning tastes. This may be seen in children who object to certain temperatures and/or textures of foods. Another sign may be if a child is pocketing food while eating.

Solution:  Feeding specialists such as a Registered Dietitian or Occupational Therapist who are trained in this area have many strategies to help work through these issues.  (If you’re in New Hampshire, we can work with you!)

Want More Information?

Check out our latest video, where we talk more about these issues.

Where To Start

We always recommend that kids work through sensory issues before tackling the constipation and withholding behavior.  Once a strategy is in place for addressing the sensory issues, then other toileting challenges, such as constipation and withholding, can be addressed more easily. 

A common question we get from parents is how to do potty training troubleshooting if a child is dealing with constipation, withholding behavior, or sensory issues.  It is always wise to wait until the constipation is treated, the withholding behavior is resolved, and the sensory issues are addressed BEFORE beginning potty training.  It will go so much more smoothly and be a much less stressful experience for all!

If you want help solving your kiddo’s potty problems, then check out our Constipation Solutions package. You get our popular Poop Bootcamp course and one 45-minute session with Jessica and Annette with an additional 30-minute follow-up. If needed, you can upgrade and get a second 30-minute follow-up, too. We’ll help you understand what’s going on help with potty training troubleshooting.