2 year old son using pool as his personal potty

[SoCalBoo]

Not a pool response, but a response from another parent.

I have twin daughters who will turn 3 in August. The were poop and pee trained at about 2 1/2, with the exception of nighttime.

But the pool is a whole 'nother variable. There is something about the pool that makes them go poop. It is even more pronounced if they come in the jacuzzi (i.e. the frequency happens more). I think it is the warm water.

Anyways, we make them sit on the potty before they go in the pool (and before we leave...they just love to go potty in the travel potty if they can!). They will almost always go pee. But if it is around the time they usually go poop (both girls have fairly regular schedules), we'll wait extra long, and usually have good success. Between that and stickers as rewards from not pooping in the pool, it has all seemed to pass.

They taught themselves how to pee over the drains in the deck. I guess better there than in the pool...

Also, the nylon reusable swim diapers, doubled up, are far more effective than the pull up ones, at least in my estimation. We found them online at some swim supply store, but I've seen them at kids stores around town as well.

What about putting a little potty on the side of the pool? Gradually move it back in the house if he starts using it?

[nicole12]

He will not pee in the pool. He loves to come out of the pool and pee like a "fire hose" as he puts it. That's what I don't get. He won't pee in the pool because I told him the water would turn green and the whole pool would come down and go out to trash. But poop is another story. He's very secretive about it. Thinks he's going to get in trouble when he goes. That's because if he doesn't have a pull-up on he'll go in his pants on the floor where ever. And I guess I do get a bit angry when that happens. And as far as his BM schedule, he doesn't have one at all. That is the big problem with potty training him. My daughter who is now 4 was trained fully at 2 years old.

It's just very discouraging. He loves to go swimming and it becomes so stressful for me. He seems like he understand and says "no mom i won't go in the pool" but next time he does. When he does come out and he hasn't he's all proud. I wonder in the pool if he can't tell if he going...I don't know. He's never once in life pooped in the tub why the pool?

I'm afraid for him because he is so irregular it's becoming a more of a habit. Pool=poop.

Sorry for getting so gross...I'm just really, really upset by this. I'm grossed out to go in my own pool.

[mom2PMPV]

I'm a newbie here, but a mom of 4 and a nurse.

I second the warm warm stimulating things, and at this point it might have become an asssociation, the other thought I had is, are you holding him and possibly compressing his tummy some?

the other thing is realistically you are at very little risk of catching a germ from him unless he has loose stools. most likely any bacteria in his gut are the same in your gut. I know it doesn't remove the yuck factor but there is little chance you health or his is at risk.


also Target carries the washable swim diapers for less than many online sites and they do fit more snuggly than the disposable.

[nicole12]

I will go to Target and pick up those swimming pants. Thanks. I do not hold him the pool, he has his arm floats and likes to swim like his sister.

I checked my numbers tonight and my FC is 17 and CC is 0 so I think I'm all set at this point as far as sanitation is concerned.