standing to poop (which they often do when wearing a diaper) to
sitting is highlighted during potty training. By itself, though, this
doesn’t fully explain the Big Poop Problem. Some kids have no
trouble sitting and pooping and, let’s face it, the toilet has been
around for a long time. If the sitting position were the sole cause of
pooping problems, we would’ve ditched the toilet long before now.
Still, sitting contributes to poop trouble, so until the perfect potty
chair is designed—I’m working on it—when your child sits to poop,
you can put some books underneath her feet to bring her thighs close
to her chest. This helps create proper anorectal alignment, and makes
pooping infinitely easier. I personally use a Squatty Potty. You might
consider this for yourself and for your child as she gets bigger; my six-
year-old son loves it.
In short, the proper poop position is important, but it can’t be the
sole reason for pooping problems.
Pooping Is Primal
Pooping itself is a very primal function. Our poop is a piece of us—
literally—and releasing it requires privacy which, if you think about
it, a diaper affords. When a child’s bum is covered, it feels concealed
and private. It’s keeping the bum out in the air, which we do when we
potty train, that makes pooping feel public and uncomfortable at
first. As adults, we usually go in a small room dedicated to pooping
and close the door. We don’t take kindly to intruders, either. Our
children have those same desires. If your child resists pooping, the
very first thing you should offer is privacy. The level of privacy you