My 2 1/2 year old is potty training, he was doing fine, but now refuses to poop. I have read up on them delaying and holding it. This is what he is doing. I read that the use of exlax or miralax is sometimes recommended to help relieve them. I have also heard from others mothers that there is a small dose of medicine you can put in their behind by on make them go. Not suppository, it's a liquid. My question is what would the dosing be for specifically the 3 alternatives? My son weighs 36 pounds. Please help. I am worried about him not going. I don't want to traumatize him doing something drastic.

Do not medicate him. This will come in time, be patient Mom. The feeling of having to poop takes time to develop, give him that time. I promise he won't go to school in diapers or pooping on himself. He's only 2 1/2.

Does he poop in his diapers or pull-ups? I'd avoid any laxatives and also do my best not to make an issue of it. My two sons, along with many other boys, didn't latch on to the whole potty-training thing until they were three, or even a little older. Just relax. If he is constipated, we have several members in the medical field who will suggest natural/food remedies for you to try.

I do agree, you are worrying too much. He is only 2 l/2 and little boys take longer to get this done then little girls.

He won't become impacted and anyway, asking this advice on the internet is not a good idea; best person is his pediatrician.

Laxatives of any kind can cause him to become dependent upon them. They should never be used on a child this young unless there is a true case of constipation, and then only under close medical supervision.

Save any sort of medication only if an issue of constipation or pain is involved... and even then I'd start with something more natural, such as a very small amount of watered down prune juice.

As J_9 said, let it happen without pressure. Boys are notorious for taking a bit longer, and still getting the hang of it at 2 1/2 is not unusual at all. The last thing you want is a battle of wills with a 2 year old over potty training!

If you think he is holding it intentionally, you could ask if he would like a diaper on. It may sound as though it is going backwards, but it is allowing him to take smaller steps at becoming more aware of and comfortable with what his body is doing. Different tactics work for different children. Make sure he can sit comfortably on his toilet... you can let him "help" you empty his poop into the toilet... let him watch you or dad use the toilet... read story books on it,etc. Keep it all matter of fact... he'll get there.