Gluten Delaying Potty Training ?

[Mamato2boys]

Maybe I'm grasping at straws here...I don't know how many of you have/had toddlers that were diagnosed with celiac's/gluten sensitivity. My oldest will be 3 in just a couple weeks, and absolutely positively WILL NOT potty train. His main gluten symptom is diarrhea/soft stools. He'll pee in the potty just fine - even standing to pee. This isn't regression from the new baby, either. He's never used the potty to poop. Up to this point he has reached all other milestones either early or on time, and started showing an interest in potty training at 15 months. I let him take it at his own pace, but this is getting ridiculous and I'm starting to wonder if the two are somehow connected.

Am I insane or is this possible somehow ???

[Ursa Major]

Okay, as a mother of five and grandmother to six, I can tell you this: Your son isn't unusual in the least, gluten or not. While the gluten COULD be a problem, there are plenty of little boys his age who aren't trained at all, not even for peeing. My son completely refused to be trained until two weeks before he was three. And then suddenly he decided he needed to use the potty, and was practically trained overnight.

Your son will be trained when he is ready. Don't try to push him, or let him know you're annoyed with him, it will be counterproductive. So, relax, and let him do things at his own pace. Even if you feel you're tired of cleaning stinky little butts.

[VydorScope]

Our three year old son has celiac disease, though has been gluten-free since he was 20 months old. Not yet potty trianed, he has gone once or twice only on the potty.

Some of the three year olds in his pre-school class are potty trianed, and some are not. So while I think he is a bit late, I do no think he is out of the normal curve.

I DO think celiac disease is part of what cuased the delay, only because we have see major delays and catch ups in so many other areas.

[Mamato2boys]

I've heard over and over that I should just let him do it when he's ready - which is what I've been doing. I just picture packing him up for college and asking him if he's sure he's packed enough pull-ups.

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure you understand my frustration.

[VydorScope]

  Mamato2boys said:

I've heard over and over that I should just let him do it when he's ready - which is what I've been doing. I just picture packing him up for college and asking him if he's sure he's packed enough pull-ups.

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure you understand my frustration.

ABSOLUTLY

Im living it with you! hehe..

[jayhawkmom]

Um... I'm a little embarrassed about my response here, but my daughter just turned five and is not yet potty trained.

She's pee trained, but having bowel issues - even after being gluten-free for a couple of months. We are in the process of working out additional intolerances and allergies. It's incredibly frustrating, no doubt about it. However, I refuse to force potty training. It does nothing but make the child frustarted.

It'll happen when it happens.

[Michi8]

  Mamato2boys said:

Maybe I'm grasping at straws here...I don't know how many of you have/had toddlers that were diagnosed with celiac's/gluten sensitivity. My oldest will be 3 in just a couple weeks, and absolutely positively WILL NOT potty train. His main gluten symptom is diarrhea/soft stools. He'll pee in the potty just fine - even standing to pee. This isn't regression from the new baby, either. He's never used the potty to poop. Up to this point he has reached all other milestones either early or on time, and started showing an interest in potty training at 15 months. I let him take it at his own pace, but this is getting ridiculous and I'm starting to wonder if the two are somehow connected.

Am I insane or is this possible somehow ???

I wouldn't connect it to celiac just yet. He is still quite young, and you may not see him completely trained until 3.5 or later. My son was capable, but refused until he was gosh darn ready. When he decided he was done with diapers/pullups he was just done...and had no accidents after that either. He decided he was ready once he started preschool at 3.5 years old. We do not know if he has celiac at this point, but we do know he has allergies.

My daughter decided to stop wearing diapers at 2.5 because diapers were uncomfortable, especially with her eczema problems. She refused to wear panties too...she still won't wear them unless she's wearing a dress or skirt, and she's four now.

Michelle

[Luvs to Scrap]

  Mamato2boys said:

I've heard over and over that I should just let him do it when he's ready - which is what I've been doing. I just picture packing him up for college and asking him if he's sure he's packed enough pull-ups.

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure you understand my frustration.

This sounds just like what I have been thinking except I have envisioned having to go and clean up the poopy pull ups too. My DS just turned 4 and he will go pee in the potty if we remind him and insist he go in time. (I swear he doesn't have any sensation of when he needs to go because he will say he doesn't have to and refuse and two seconds later we have an accident) He does not poop in the potty. He has been gluten-free since June and while his poops are somewhat more solid they are still closer to D than I was hoping for far too often. I keep hoping he will catch on soon but it is hard to be too optimistic since it seems like we are making no progress . . . Kendra

[JakeARoosMommy]

I am going on the experience of my older child. #2 comes behind #1 in potty training. I think that kids are scared to have something falling from them. Hang in there mom. I am going through potty training with my 2yr old Celiac son.