It Hurts When I Poop

A Story for Children Who Are Scared to Use the Potty

The Story

Ryan is scared to use the potty. He is afraid to poop, because he’s worried it is going to hurt. With the help of his doctor, Ryan learns how his body works and why it’s best to let the poop come out when it is time to go.

The story concludes with Ryan’s “poop program,” which helps children gain the confidence they need to overcome this common problem and establish healthy toileting habits. The book includes an endnote for parents that provides additional information about stool withholding and ways to deal with it. It Hurts When I Poop has been my most successful book having sold 150,000 copies as of September 2023.

Reviews & Awards

• 2007 iParenting Media Award Winner

“Every child with toilet training trouble should read this book!”

–Allison Schonwald, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, author of The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Potty Training Problems

“This is a terrific book that will help children overcome the fears they experience with using the potty. I highly recommend this book and think it will be enthusiastically received by parents and children alike.”

–Teri Crane, author of Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day: Proven Secrets of the Potty Pro

“At last, someone has provided parents with a fun-filled, non-threatening approach to help children who hold in their bowel movements. Dr. Bennett’s book will be a permanent fixture in my waiting room.”

–Benny Kerzner, MD, Emeritus Chairman, Department of Gastroenterology, Children’s National Medical Center