My son is 3 and has been urinating in the toilet for several months but REFUSEs to go #2 in the potty. He doesnt just poop once a day either. It is more like 4-6 times a day. I have to keep him in pullups cause I HATE washing out underwear everyday. Its nasty. We will ask him if he pooped and he says "i dont know" well my thinking is if he doesnt know hes pooped how will he ever know when to go to the potty. Would there be a medical reason for this? Should I wait it out a few more months and see how it goes or should I have him seen by the doctor?
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I am by far no expert in this matter, as I also have a 3yo in training as well. But, I am just waiting it out. Wyatt went through a time where he peeed in the potty for a few weeks then he started pooping in the potty and wouldn't pee anymore in it. Then he started doing both in the potty like a champ and now he has been having at least 2 "accidents" a day for about the past week. When I ask why he didn't tell us he had to go he just says "cause". So I am just giving him time. I have faith he will "get it" soon, (I hope) Good luck! I had no problems with my older boy, it only took me telling him "no more diapers!" and in one week he was perfect. But their personalities are sooooo different. Sam my 7yo is super sweet, always wanting to please. Wyatt our 3yo angel with horns is soooo stubborn and hard headed. So I also think that plays a big roll in everything.

My 5yo cracked the whole potty training thing properly (accident free for a week and more) when he was 4 1/2. He was just stubborn. We'd think we got it cracked, and then we'd be back to square 1 again.

My 2.5yo girl has it sorted already.

My only advice is to hang on in there! Boys are much more difficult to potty train, and it sounds like you have a stubborn one (much like my eldest). It is frustrating, but it will come in time!

We are living this as well. DS just turned 3 and it is crazy

He will pee in the potty only when placed on it. He doesn't tell you about needing to go at all. But if sat on potty - he pees everytime. We read, bribe with m&Ms, provide targets etc. Nothing incents him to do it on his own. So we live by the 40 min timer when at home.

Daycare is on a similar - ok it is your turn mentality.

If we dont' put him on the toilet - the diaper is just fine for him.

pooping is a totally indifferent experience. He doesn't care about sitting in it or smelling bad or even telling you he did it. I can totally smell him from across the room and he denies being dirty.

Just this week was the first time he said - hey I could be changed now - I have a dirty diaper - fingers crossed maybe we are headed in right direction.

We are giving DS lots of options and not making a big deal of lack of progress -- we just celebrate when every he is successful.

Yes DS is very strong minded and will do many things already on his schedule.

I feel for you and this is also the same with my nephew who is 2 and 1/2.

I have to say that this is very common.
And the "I don't know" is him not wanting to get in trouble because he says yes (like he knows he did)

This very problem gets posted here on the potty training forum all the time. (and probably the #1 question/problem as far as I can tell )


I did this with my DD and it worked like a charm.

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give them the mineral oil so it makes it practically imposible for them to withhold (no matter how hard they try) stay close to the toilet and look for "signs" that they need to go to try and rush them to the toilet before the deed.

Once you get them in the toilet to do #2 for a week they'll realize it's not scary and doesn't hurt and they won't withhold or have troubles and you can stop the mineral oil.