weaning off the diapers

[sarahisis]

Ds has done great with the potty training. He stays dry when we go out, and throughout the day for the most part, but were having trouble with naps and overnights. There has been no hint of him staying even a little bit dry, but over the past week he's started a new thing. He does number 2 during nap most days and he's been starting to take off his diaper and then getting grossness all over his rug. Yesterday I put the little potty in his room and that worked ok but there was still a small stinky mess.

So, do I go cold turkey, no pullup maybe on naps first to see what he does? He's never been dry after waking up, that's why I worry.

suggestions?

[angel22]

Do you make sure to take him potty before sleeping times?

[onlyoneboy]

DS1 still wore a pull up at naps and at night for almost a year after he was potty trained. He just couldn't wake himself up when he had to go.

[sarahisis]

We do make sure he always goes to the bathroom right before going down to sleep... he's just a heavy sleeper and won't get himself up to go to the bathroom. And he wouldn't be able to get to the hall bathroom anyhow because we have to keep a doorknob cover on the inside of his bedroom door. He's not trustworthy to be able to be roaming the house on his own if he wakes up early or whatever... and I don't trust him not to go out the front door, even with locks.. or to stay out of the fridge.

I'm just not sure if I should just wait him out and see if he starts keeping dry, or postpone nap til after he does number 2, which could end up being a really late nap... or try and tweak our schedules so that he naps early and is up before he would usually go..

ughh

[onlyoneboy]

I have no advice on the pooping thing. We never had that problem. Is he a very regular kid that goes about the same time everyday? Can you just stress to him how important it is not to make a mess, that if he does go in his pants to let you know right away so you can help him clean up? Good Luck

[lilmermaid]

I would limit liquids a few hours(or several) before nighttime to see if he can stay dry all night.

I think doing undies during nap time may work. Let him know he can come out to use the potty, that way you can see him to eliminate the messes.

[megan1201]

DS still has to wear a pull up at night and during nap, and he's been potty trained for well over a year. He is just a heavy sleeper and can't wake himself up to go. We've had a couple of dry nights, but they are so inconsistent that I don't trust him to go with just undies. Good luck and let me know if you figure out something that works!

[sarahisis]

hahaha.. I think that we'll be doing that as well.. keeping the pull up til he can consistently stay dry for an extended period of time. Last night I limited his drinking before bed. nothing an hour and a half before, just a sip or two with teeth brushing.

P sleeps like his mama!

[bunsy]

DS2 (shhhh, it's a secret) was in pull-ups at night until 1st grade. Slept like a rock. I think that's just a developmental thing.

BUT pooping and making a mess is NOT developmental; it's behavioral. He could tell you he went so you could help clean up after nap. Making a mess would have consequences. He's old enough to understand what he's doing.

[sarahisis]

What we found he was doing is he is pooping in the diaper either during or after nap, then taking off the pull up and setting it aside til I come get him. He doesn't play in it, but when he sits on the floor or his bed, unwiped, it makes a mess. I put the little potty in there in hopes that if he feels he has to go, then he could take the pull up off and go, and then knock on his door to let me know.

yesterday at nap, he pooped in his pullup a half hour after I had him go to his room.. we changed, and he napped.. then he got up to go in the potty again, but then peed on his bed because he fell back asleep w/o anything on.

a work in process.

[sarahisis]

in progress

[bunsy]

As is every phase of parenting.....
Hang in there.