The Age Old Potty Training Question with a Twist

Updated on May 18, 2007
C.W. asks from Salem, VA
26 answers

Hi All, My daughter just turned 2. For the past 6 months she has gotten extreme diaper rashes that nothing helps. The doctors want her out of diapers of any kind. At first switching to Pull-ups helped some but no longer, if anything I think it is worse. Also, I have tried every diaper rash creme and ointment on the market and available by perscription. Even cornstarch no longer helps. My daughter is interested in looking at the potty, but not in using it. She has a small one and also the large one. Does anyone have any suggestions, she hurts all the time and I am at wits end.

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So What Happened?

I wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I made her another appointment with her doctor. She has a yeast infection, so we are treating that. The doctor advises against pushing potty training, but does say to let her run around naked, a put the potty in a prominet place so she will hopefully try it. I am also looking into your suggestions and will be trying them, I don't want to push her, but I think the time is coming. Thank you all again.

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S.B.

answers from Charleston on

get several potties and put them around the house. Sometimes you can even find new ones at garage sales. try several free-standing ones and even one that clips on the actual toilet and add a stool. If she needs to be out of them, then it's time to just do it for her health and pain. I found my girls much easier to train than the boys. Reward every time she goes, even if it's a sticker or "good job". Just make it fun, not a discipline issue. Ask hr to try every 20-30 minutes....girls always have to go. She will need to be reminded for quite some time. Make a big deal if she notices she needs to go on her own. But initially, it'll all be up to you to remember to take her frequently. Maybe set a timer on the microwave or something so you both remember. Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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W.L.

answers from Dallas on

I'm still potty training my son. The pediatrician gave him a semi-circ (I was so mad!) so he got diaper rash on his wee wee ALL the time! It was so red and inflamed, and sometimes it even cracked and bled! He would cry and kick and scream when I tried to wash, wipe, powder, and cream the sore area. We knew it was time to potty train.

It's been almost a year, though. He is really hard to train. But there are a few things that I found to be essential: cloth training pants or panties, a waterproof matress pad, and plastic panty covers or pull ups only for night time. I haven't seen the rash or soreness since the potty training began (just a some pooping defiance).

I hope you find something that works.

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T.E.

answers from Asheville on

Now that its warm out, I would maybe try what I did with my daughter. I would let my daughter walk around naked or with just big girl panites. It would help her rash and then it would also help her realize what happens when you have to pee. It does involve some clean up, but I have also seen some training panites with a little absorbant material in the crotch area. Good luck with the potty trainging it took a few months for us.

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A.B.

answers from Norfolk on

Your daughter could have a mild food allergy. This sounds similar to some friends who have children with corn allergies. Corn is everywhere and in places you wouldn't even think of because of the preservatives made from corn. You could take her to an allergy specialist or try an elimination diet. I'd recommend a trip to a specialist because of the cornstarch that is used in disposables diapers and training pants, toothpaste, anything with citric acid, vegetable oil, or food starch. A simple skin scratch test will tell you in about 20 minutes if she is allergic. If there is an allergy problem, once the allergen is eliminated, you may have more success with the potty.

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A.R.

answers from Columbia on

Hi
Have you tried butt paste (I know the name is awful). A few years ago I supervised a pediatric office and they were giving this creme away by the truckloads it seemed. Please try that. I will also call my best friend, Betty Ann who is a pediatric nurse and ask what she advises.

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S.B.

answers from Charlotte on

I know it sounds crazy, but I just put my child in underware and allowed him to wet himself. He decided he didn't like wetting in underware and by day two, he was using the potty. I don't know if this will work, but it is worth a try. we still use the goodnights at night. but no more during the day.

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E.Y.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi C.: We just went through something similar with the diaper rash thing with our daughter-we went to the pediatrician for an unrelated issue last week and found out that it was a yeast infection not diaper rash like we had thought. We were given Nystatin diaper cream, but were also told to try Aveeno oatmeal bath packets to soothe the rash. So far it has been working GREAT-wish I had tried it earlier! They also just came out with a rash cream...I haven't tried it yet, but if it works as well as the bath stuff, I will be soon.
I have not tried potty training my daughter yet, but my mom has told me that I was reluctant to be potty-trained (she had to do it 3 times) so after I wanted to go back to diapers the 3rd time, she put me in cloth diapers, which I hated so much I wanted to be in big girl underwear. Good luck!

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M.G.

answers from Charlotte on

If you are still looking for diaper rash creams/ointments, this is what worked for me. It was recommended by a friend. Use equal parts A+D and Balmex mixed together. Then add a squirt of liquid Maalox. This sounded totally weird to me, too, but apparently that's what takes the redness away. I was concerned because all of the Maalox was flavored, and I didn't want the strawberry in particular, to make the rash worse. But they're artificial flavors, so they only affect the smell. I hope this helps!

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B.C.

answers from Columbia on

Our daughter developed the same problem though not as severe. For her using diapers was painful. I agree with Sarah 100%. Girls are definetely easier. The only thing I would add is to stay home the first few days of training and just focus on that. With our daughter I went cold turkey. No diapers just dresses and nothing else. It also gave her bottom a chance to get some air and heal. Once she got the hang of it I took her shopping for her "big girl underwear". Even when we go out I still ask if she needs to go but no problems. We also put a chart on the wall by the bathroom she used the most that went through the steps. Everytime she went she got a sticker. We even had a spot just for trying her best. The dollar stores are great for sticker books that say great job and such. It's where most teachers get theirs. By the end of a week it was like she had been doing it for months. Good luck.

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D.P.

answers from Charlotte on

I can't help with the potty training issue, but for diaper rash it really helps if you pat her dry her with a soft towel after wiping her before you put her diaper back on. I've done this since the day my baby was born and she has never had diaper rash and we don't use any diaper creme. Good luck!

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L.Y.

answers from Charleston on

BAG BALM is the best ointment for extreme diaper rash. I used it on my kids and give it as a signature gift for new moms. It comes in a square green can and can usually be found in the pet section at Walmart. If it's not there ask the pharmacist; sometimes they keep it behind the counter. Yes, it's for cows, but you will be happy with the results!!

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M.P.

answers from Spartanburg on

1) Diaper rash is a yeast infection- on a smaller scale, it's easily treatable by cleaning and applying a barrier (like Desitin). On a larger scale, it needs to be treated with something else. Have you tried OTC yeast infection treatments, like Monistat? If you have and they haven't worked, you may not be dealing with a diaper rash at all.

2) When you get a chance, read through my question "Eczema diaper rash?" I got a lot of good responses from that.

3) Have you tried rewards for using the potty? It may not seem like the best idea, but it sounds like she NEEDS to get potty-trained ASAP. We gave my eldest 5 M&Ms every time she used the potty. Every time. Lots of candy, I know, but it worked, and was even easy to stop doing. I can tell you that letting her run naked did NOT work. She didn't really care that she peed on the floor, and actually liked helping me clean it up. As another poster said, if you let her wet her CLOTHES, she will probably learn quickly that she doesn't like sitting in soggy wet clothes.

Good luck!

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T.B.

answers from Asheville on

Hi C.,first let me start by telling you as i do everyone,i have a nerve condition and i always type in all caps. It's just easier for me,i'm not yelling.with that said,here we go!
Have you tried silvadine?it is a burn cream for burns and it really heals up diaper rashes,yeast and pretty much and kind of problems that are related like teething!you have to ask for the rx from your ped. But it is worth it!!and if you'll apply that and put her in big girl panties and set your stove timer or any timer and take her to potty every 15 mins. On the dot then she will figure out that she has to go potty and it is not an option and i recommend a plastic cover for her mattress and just let her sleep in big girl panties too!!eventually, she'll start really disliking the wetness of the panties and start going on her own. But the every 15 mins. Does work that is how i potty trained my son and daughter both before age 2!but you have to stick to your guns and no turning back!!you can also let her soak in a tub of luke warm water with vinagar and/or baking soda in it and that really helps to clear up raw hinnies too!! But remember not to use any kind of soap or to rub just dab to clean and dab to dry!! And if possible air dry!!good luck to you and your little girl!(by the way the terrible two's don't last forever)you'll be in my prayers!sincerely,T.

PS.WE USED STICKERS FOR A REWARD WHEN MY KIDS WERE POTTY TRAINING!!AND DID THE "YEAH, YOU PEE-PEED IN THE POTTY DANCE" OR POO-POOPED IN THE POTTY DANCE!DON'T BE AFRAID TO ACT GOOFY IF IT WORKS!!REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS USE IT AS BLACK MAIL WHEN THEY ARE TEENAGERS!!!LOL!!!

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C.D.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

It took me until my daughter was three to realize that she was bored in the bathroom. Try putting some books for her to look at , maybe some pretty pictures on the wall where she can see them, or whatever would keep her entertained. Take her to the potty every three to four hours and about fifteen to thirty minutes after meals. Has the doctor tested her for yeast infection?

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M.M.

answers from Norfolk on

Have you tried cloth diapers? Check out fuzzibunz.com. They are the best at keeping moisture away and there are no chemicals. You use a very small amount of detergent when washing them. They've kept my son rash free for the past 2 years.

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D.R.

answers from Norfolk on

C.,

Have you tried Dr Smiths diaper ointment? It is over the counter and expensive but works better than any perscription I have tried. My daughter is 2.5 and gets really bad diaper rashed too and this is the only thing that clears her up and keeps her clear. I put it on every diaper change very thick and it works like a charm.

As far as potty training, I think 2 years old is too young. You will be cleaning up many accidents. My daughter is 2.5 and she will use the big potty with a smaller cushy seat on it. My kids were never interested in using a portable potty. Maybe using the big potty will get her to want to go.

Best of luck, D.

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R.F.

answers from Charleston on

Hello C., Happy Mother's Day. I too, am a single mother of a two 1/2 year old daughter. Is she afraid of sitting on the potty? Why is she not using the potty? What is holding her back? Is it fear or is she just determined to use the bathroom in her pull up? My only suggestion based on the information I know, is to have her sit on the potty during times that you know she normally has a wet pullup, after meals w/ drinks, in the a.m. when she wakes up, and just sporatically throughout the day. Set her on the toilet for a few minutes, maybe even turn the water on, and get her comfortable w/ sitting on the potty. Somewhere along the lines she will potty like a big girl if you continue doing this, you will catch her when she needs to go potty. Also, my 2 year old would just be in the middle of something interesting and not want to "waste" her time to go to the potty, I solved this problem by throwing out the pull ups altogether, if she decided she didn't want to go use the potty like a big girl, then she wet her pants and had to get cleaned up. This only happened once, and luckily, she hasn't ever done it again, not even at bedtime.
Also-I'm wondering if maybe b/c she has such a bad rash, if it is possibly b/c she is in pain and is afraid for anything to touch or bottom, if this is cleared up with the help of the doctor (Nystatin is great), then maybe it is the underlying problem of why she is not venturing to use the potty.

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J.L.

answers from Spartanburg on

C.
I know how you feel with rash problems. The only two things that got my son to use the potty by himself were peer pressure and letting him run around with no pants at all. Of course when we had company we used the cotton under pants so they didn't have to see his "stuff". But he was able to feel that he had to go without the distraction of friction in the area. This also helped clear up any rash problems that he had.
Hope you have some luck!
Happy Mother's Day
Jen

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C.T.

answers from Norfolk on

if it is not yeast..I can tell you after trying everything out there Triple paste did it...walmart sells it Eckerd sells it..i is very expensive..but it works...it is the best I have used....I use over nights at night and huggies with no perfumes...pampers have perfumes or something in them she has never been able to wear them..she has had senstive skin since birth..she was born into a rough situation with her birth mother..she is doing good ..she has sinus issues pretty bad and skin issues and her hair is so thick and curly and tangly and neither of us can breathe all the smells the hair stuff has in them..a good detangler is the key but none out there without smells...so it is oil or shea butter we use with a very wet head until we find better that is safe for us both..my sinus issues are so senstive they are talking about a 5th surgery to relieve more pressure. C. ____@____.com

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S.W.

answers from Norfolk on

Hey. This sounds like a yeast infection. Go to the store and get MONISTAT cream. SInce this is a yeast infection, this will take care of it. Since it is getting warmer, for an hour or so each day, let her run without bottoms on. Another thing is, (which alot really don't think about) get rid of diapers all together, hide them, get her big girl panties. Any other quesions my email is ____@____.com

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M.B.

answers from Charleston on

Hey as for the diaper rash it may be a yeat infection. My doc told me to use a mixture of athlete foot cream and anti itch cream (hydrocortisone) It worked miracles and cleared the diaper rash up that no other ointment or cream would help. Try it and see if it helps. I'm dealing with the whole potty training thing myself with no luck.

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A.W.

answers from Raleigh on

You might want to keep a diet journal for a week or two. I wonder if she is allergic to something? I know you said that you have tried all the diaper rash creames, but did you try Bourdoux's Buttpaste? I cant help you with the potty training, one because I have a boy, and two, daycare has really helped with it. I will say that he does a lot better with the toilet seat that sits on ours. We also reward him with stickers. I have also heard of people putting their child in training pants (cloth ones) and just working with them for a week or so, "letting them learn what it feels like to be wet"...Im not patient enought to deal with the mess, and cant stay on a schedule, but it might work for you.

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A.M.

answers from Jacksonville on

Hello! I am afraid that I don't have any suggestions to help with the diaper rash. However, if the ultimate cure is to be rid of the diapers, I have one remark as to what worked for my daughter. Just before age 2, I started her in Pull-ups. She would use the potty at times, but she knew she could still use the bathroom in the Pull-ups. After a month or so, I finally did away with those & just put her in regular panties. After only several mishaps, she was potty-trained. Don't get me wrong, it still took a little time for her to not "dampen" them. She had to learn to allow herself more time to get to the bathroom, but I truly feel in our case that Pull-ups did not help at all. I think the true realization that she could no longer go without a bathroom was the key. Good luck!!

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H.G.

answers from Roanoke on

I have this diaper rash cream, that cleared my daughter up after three uses. She has very sensitive skin! Look up www.Arbonne.com and click under the baby products. It's all natural and works wonders. I use all the baby products, and kids products as well! Good luck!

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K.

answers from Charlotte on

My son became more interested in potty training because we had purchased a small one that made music and lit up whenever he sat down and went pee pee. I had a friend in Florida who just bought a plain potty and her son wasn't interested. She saw our musical one and went out and bought it the same day and her little one was trained in no time at all. Sometimes music and lights just make it more interesting. I don't know if that is much help but it sure is working for us.

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