How do you start a 15 mo old to potty train.

Marj - posted on 04/15/2011

If you think she is ready and she is doing all that i think it's time to get her a potty seat and just let her play around with it. Show her what to do with it. See what happens and go from, there are some people thinking that I'm starting to early with my daughter and she's 10 days shy of 2 years old.

Amanda - posted on 08/21/2010

I am so grateful to know I'm not the only one with a "young one" showing signs of potty readiness! And, thanks to all you ladies who posted helpful tips and whatnot! I didn't have a clue where to even start gathering information before reading through everything. I'll be buying my daughter a potty this week and we'll start working on getting her to use it. She's so good about telling me a few minutess before she goes #2 that she's got to "poo-poo," so I know she's aware of what her body is doing.
My one question is, does anyone know what kind of training pants are best? I've heard that Pull-Ups are the worst thing to use since they're just like a diaper and are too absorbent. I can't seem to find reasonably priced training pants/ panties, tho and that's a bit discouraging.

Tamara - posted on 08/21/2010

If you think your daughter is ready, go for it. We started just talking about it with my 15 mo. old daughter when I'd go, then she started saying "caca" (the German word for poop- we're bilingual at home) when she was about to go or had gone. She also uses the sign language word for potty- make a fist and put your thumb between your first and second fingers and shake it and say "potty". We bought a potty and I just had her sit on it when I'd go. I had no thought s of trying it as I didn't want to rush it. My husband however doesn't read the books or belong to any discussion groups and he just tried it. Our daughter, I'm proud to say has gone in the potty for two weeks now and it has been very easy. She still wets her diaper but the only "caca" has been at nap or when I wasn't fast enough. I have a girlfriend who is one of 6 kids... her mom had them all potty trained by 1 year cuz she hated diapers. That was back in the day of cloth ones, which we also use. I think it makes a big difference. Disposables do such a good job of absorbing that kids don't feel "wet" so it has prolonged potty training from avg. 2 yrs in the 1970's to the avg of 4 yrs. now. This has been a great side benefit to the cloth diapers for us. Every kid is different. Use your intuition. You know your child best. Good luck! PS I've heard of using M&M's as a reward or a stamp on their hand. I haven't needed either but who knows, maybe I will later. I've also heard that have=ing a fun shaped or colored potty helps- "I want to use the red potty". Hope this is helpful. Oh, and we read lots of books while on the potty, or play hand games....

Monica - posted on 08/07/2010

I was wondering the same thing. My son says boo-boo. He will go and get a pamper and lie down on the couch and put his legs in the air. I know he's ready but I'm not quite sure how to start. Please help!!!

Jennifer - posted on 08/06/2010

hold on, what is all of this stuff about potty training babies at the age of 6 weeks? That is not possible. They aren't even able to walk or talk at that age. Why would you not put diapers on infants?

Jennifer - posted on 08/06/2010

Just buy him a potty chair and show it to him. He is showing signs of potty training. Don't force him though. 2 weeks ago my son woke up with a dry diaper so I sat him on the "big boy potty" as we call it and he went pee. My sister bought him a potty chair since he is starting to show all of the signs of potty training. I ask Adrien if he needs to go potty and he will follow me, although he has yet to actually go potty in the chair since he's gotten it. They say to just let them play with it and get used to it.



Buy him a potty chair and put him on it every morning, every night, before and after nap time, and periodically throughout the day. Don't expect him to be completely potty trained in a few days, that probably won't happen till the age of two.

Lacey - posted on 08/03/2010

I think if you potty train it is a great idea to stick to just underwear and not switch back and forth, otherwise kids would get confused as to what is going on. Also, my son doesn't say potty either, but he knows what he's doing when he's doing it.

Joanie - posted on 08/02/2010

I have thought about starting potty training with my son, but at almost 16 months he still doesn't acknowledge that he has a dirty diaper. I like the idea of getting a potty chair and introducing it to him to get him used to it. I think by 18 months I will really work on it but for now I just do not think he is ready.

Rachel - posted on 08/01/2010

My daughter isn't taking her diaper off yet (having gdiapers helps that!) but she does know when she is peeing. I am thinking of getting a potty to put in her bathroom as part of the decor so she can get used to seeing it before we start. A great piece of advice I heard was to get the old cloth style trainers (you will have more of a cleanup but they know when they get wet and don't like it). If you don't want the clean up 20 times a day though they said to put the pull ups over top of the trainer. They still get wet and you don't always have to change their clothes and mop the floors!

Madison - posted on 07/31/2010

my daughter is just 15 months now and we are going to start trying to introduce her potty chair she's not saying potty or anything like that just a few other words but what we are going to do is put her potty chair in the bathroom and when we have to go to the bath room take her in there with us and have her sit on her potty chair and let her know thats hers and thats what she will use even tho she may not use it or just sit on it she knows its hers and maybe seeing you use urs then she'll get the idea thats what hers is for as well they really catch on quickly with alot of other things so why would that be much different... idk its just an idea of a way to try it out to see if that may work

Casey - posted on 07/28/2010

And in response to some of the posts about babies not being aware of their bodily functions, it's just not true. They are capable much earlier than 18-20months as stated below, but we train them to use their diapers! So why would they think they need to eliminate anywhere else? Both my kids stopped soiling their beds by 6 weeks old (no control huh?). And my son didn't poop in his diapers after 6 months- potty only. He was nearly completely dry by the time he walked at 9 months... only then did he revert a bit. He was done by 2.

Casey - posted on 07/28/2010

Yes! Go for it. We EC'd our 1st born (son) part time from 6 weeks- 18onths. At 18 months we did a diaper off weekend & by the time he was 2 he was mostly dry (daytime)... Our daughter is 15 months & we have started putting her on the potty as routine & I tought her the potty sign, but she actually said the word while I was trying to teach her the sign : ). Our next step when is to do the diaper off weekend w/ her & work on the association part of the program. I think you should go for it. She's already trying to get that diaper off! There's an article about early potty training (the diaper off method we used) on babycenter.com.
Good luck!

Tasha - posted on 07/27/2010

Wow I am surprised no one mentioned EC. Google (or whatever search engine) Elimination Communication. We did it with dd from 3months old to 9 months and she didn't wear a diaper that whole time, I just always had a potty chair available, even one in the back seat of my car. Anyway she got really constipated and developed a fear of the potty so now I am waiting for her to either forget about her fear or overcome it on her own. But definitely check out starting EC for older babies. Good Luck!

Brandy - posted on 07/25/2010

wow, mines going to be fifteen months next week I have no plans of potty training that early, I don't think they are ready and understand that concept yet.

Jaclyn - posted on 07/23/2010

My son is 15 months and we started potty training a month ago. Like several others have said, every child is different. Give it a try, she might be ready. if she shows no interest then give it a rest and try again later. We've done that with other things for my son as well, certain foods, or toys. When she's ready she'll let you know.

Sue - posted on 07/23/2010

there's no point until they have an awareness of their bodily functions. My son is 15 months and is not even aware that he's gone and doesn't seem to care that his nappy is wet/soiled anyway

Trina - posted on 07/23/2010

your baby's body is not ready yet. toilet training requires complex skills and the muscles around the rectum are not adequately developed until the latter part of the second year (18-20 months). So it's better to wait a bit longer to start.

Jezi - posted on 07/23/2010

I'm about to start potty training my 15 month old. She follows me to the potty, observes and when I wash my hands we wash hers as well. Our pediatrician suggested starting around 18 months but he also said once she starts to take an interest she's ready. I see nothing wrong with starting early if she's ready.

Elissa - posted on 07/22/2010

there is no reason not to start trying. My son is 15 months and is beginning to tell us when he has gone and taking an interest in the potty. so, we are going to get a seat and just being introducing him to it. as well as giving him opportunity to be without his diaper so he can get the sensation more. just because you begin introducing your child to the potty at this age doesn't mean that you expect them to be fully trained next week or even next month. if they are ready, then they're ready & there is no medical reason to wait until 2. it isn't some recommendation -- like they recommend starting solids between 4 & 6 months. it is more like walking. most kids will be ready at 2, but some will be ready earlier and some will be ready later. I don't really understand why we feel such a strong need to put children into these little developmental boxes here in the US. every child is different.

Stacey - posted on 07/21/2010

I've been wondering the same things lately. My daughter will be 15 months tomorrow, and digs the poop out of her diaper. It's pretty horrible and gross :( We've been talking about getting a potty

Jessica - posted on 07/21/2010

My son will be 15 months tomorrow. We are not potty training him until closer to 2 years like recommended. I see no reason to start training at 15 months.

Taylor - posted on 07/21/2010

my daughter is 15 months and i put her on the potty everytime i go just to get her used to it sometimes she goes other times she doesnt. at this age they don't have complete control so i dont want to rush it

Martha - posted on 07/20/2010

I have been exposing my 15 month old to the potty for the last couple of months. Every time I go to the bathroom, I take her diaper off and she sits. she does pee on the potty and we have a great time celebrating. She has gotten off the potty, squated and pooped on the floor. I scooped up the poop and put it in the potty and told her this is where it goes.
She will grab at her self when she has to pee. Watch your child, she will have cues too. ALSO sign language is GREAT at this age. Maybe she isn;t vocal, but she still can communicate with you. There are signs out there for poop and pee, or make some up that work for you and her.
I was fully potty trained, except nights, by 18 months. It can be done, and most other countries do it MUCH earlier than we do in the states.
BEST of LUCK

Megan - posted on 07/20/2010

My daughter is 14 months and I introduced the potty to her a little aftr she turned 1. I just brought it in the house and let her play with it or drag it around,Never actually used it at the beginning. Just let her get used to it. Then I moved it into the bathroom and after watching her cousin go pee she got interested. She now will go into the bathroom and lift her potty lid and say pee or poo. Shes went on the potty a couple times but we are working at it. I say you should do whatever is right for your daughter. I dont see why a 15 month old cant begin the process, Especially if they are interested. I have read a couple books and they say at this age is the best time to begin because they are so interested in learning new things and being like there siblings,cousins,mommy and daddy,ect. Good luck!

Amber - posted on 07/19/2010

I have wondered...my son tell me "poo" when he has or is pooping in a diaper. I think that although she may not be able to "say" potty yet if you start introducing teh idea to her there is no reason why she could not at least come to "understand" what you are saying. I don't knwo if it's too early to expect them to become potty trained but I see no reason to hold back introducing it to them...I mean, half the time my LO is sitting in the bathroom with me as I have to go! Privacy is a thing of the past I guess!

Maude Christina - posted on 07/19/2010

Yes i too was wondering hw to go about potty training my son who is 14mths but who wont sit in the pot even though he knows exactly what it means but i keep trying to entice him to sit on the potty and reward him by getting everyone to clap but it does work some time and he has done his job in the potty a few times so i think all kids love rewards and a feeling of importance so all the best to that

Lacey - posted on 07/18/2010

As soon as my son could sit up (about 4 months old) I started putting him on the potty, just to get used to it, I did not expect him to be able to train at that age. He liked it for a couple months and would go pee and then clap and get all excited, but around 6 months he started to hate it, so I stopped putting him on. I have started again since he was about 13 months, mainly just to get him used to it again, but he can hold it. At first this second time he would get all excited and go pee and #2 several times a day, but then he would get frustrated if he couldn't go #2, which was kind of funny, now he is starting to hate the toilet again. But I am still going to keep trying, mainly because I know now that he can hold it.

Kristen - posted on 07/18/2010

Keep something on her bottom over her diapers so she can't take them off. There are certain things a child should be able to do before they can be potty trained, such a pull their pants down. If she still gets her diaper off, I'd get a book and give potty training a start.

Angela - posted on 07/17/2010

Thanks everyone! I think i know what the next direction is~ Thank you for your input.

Francesca - posted on 07/16/2010

Well, I read that although at about 15-18 months toddlers start to learn that sensation, most kids are ready until about 24 months. And my doctor said that until they can hold their bladder throughout the whole night they are not ready.

As for a word. My little Ella knows the baby signs. (It is fantastic!) She can pick up a new sign in just a day or two. And when she makes a stinky she signs it. (Although we don't have one for pee yet...)

I think it may be a little too early. But, good luck no matter what you decide.

LauraBeth - posted on 07/16/2010

My son is 14 mo and he takes his diaper off and would pee on the floor (thank goodness we dont have carpet) I stay at home with my son and for the pass two weeks he has went potty on the toliet everytime we set him on there (which has cut our diaper use in half), now to get him to go number 2 has been a bit more difficult because he is teething still and has not so soild movements here lately. I am not pressureing him to go but he definatly has the hang of it. he cannot say potty or pee yet but he comes to me and pats his diaper when he wants on the potty and he goes everytime (except for night not gunna even try until he is FULLY potty trained during the day)

as for the developmental issues mentioned an early statement that is a complete myth. each child thinks and works differently as a parent it is your job to be able to identify when your child is ready to do or learn something new. By not picking up on something can make your child lazy or stunt his or her development. It sounds to me that your little one is ready to atleast attempt to use the potty, and congrats it just one step closer to being diaper free

I plan to full on train my child to use the potty when he is 16mo I feel that he is ready for this next step in his life.

Tenile - posted on 07/16/2010

put her diaper on backwards i had to do that with my son

Sharyn - posted on 07/15/2010

my eldest son was ready to train at 15mths it took him until he was 18mths to be fully trained during the day only though, night was a whole other issue that didn't finally happen until he was 2, my other 2 boys where much later, and my youngest she still isn't showing any signs of being ready at 15mths old. i say go with what you think, she is your child and if she's already taking her nappy off, then sit her on a potty it won't hurt. good luck

Sabrina - posted on 07/15/2010

I think 15mts is very young to be worrying about potty training and I've heard from baby nurse that it can slow the child's development in other areas.

Stina - posted on 07/14/2010

Check out some potty training books from the library. My favorite is "Potty training in one day" Although it took much longer than a day to train the first two. There is a very helpful checklist to help determine when your child is ready to toilet train.



Most kids aren't ready to train at 15 months but it doesn't hurt to encourage her to sit on a training toilet when you go to the bathroom. Just don't expect anything to happen yet.



To help keep her diaper on, pants will help since she'll have another layer to work her way out of first. You could also reinforce the diaper tape by taping over it with masking tape.



Our 15 mo fights diaper changes and we half jokingly tell her there is this thing called a toilet if she doesn't want o have her diaper changed... but she's not ready yet at all to use the toilet and I am not that anxious to start the whole process again. Potty training ranks high on my list of least favorite things to do.