Tips On Potty Training My 13 Month Old Daughter

Vicki - posted on 03/01/2011

LOL I think it is pretty funny that this thread is still running... 13 months LATER. Wow.

So how about an update? How is potty training a 26 month old now?

My boy goes consistently in his little potty, dumps it into the toilet, and flushes! haha. He loves it. And he always lets me know whether it was a pee or poop, because with poop he gets a wipe and bum cream (which he applies to his knee, whatever).

BUT, he isn't able to pull down his pants or underwear. He doesn't even like to take off his own socks or shoes, either, so that one might take awhile LOL. Though, I encourage him to try. I think we need a nice little dress-up dolly to help him along, but haven't come across a decent looking one yet.

Jessica - posted on 02/28/2011

I would say 13 months is a little young...I don't think they would understand all of the concepts you would try and teach them. Perhaps maybe at 18-24 months would be a better time.

Emma - posted on 02/05/2011

13 months isnt to young i have been potty training my son who is 13 months and he has already done several wees and poos in his potty, it is not ridiculous and there r alot of people that do it. it may take more time and effort but the results r fantastic, in my opinion well worth it.

Jodie - posted on 03/12/2010

At 13 months i tried putting my daughter on the potty when she was making "the face" and she started responding right away. She loved cheering "yay!" when she went, even though she was already going when I caught her and put her on.
A few days later she was able to go pee pee a few seconds after i sat her down. She had a lot of fun cheering for herself. And getting to flush is also a reward.

I dont think there is anything wrong with putting your baby on the potty young. It doesnt sound like you are pushing too hard. Its not like you are punishing for going in the diaper or something! Keep up the good work. Dont get discouraged.
Try to only put your little one on the potty when youre pretty sure she has to go, and respond to her when she tells you that shes done and wants to get down, so she doesnt resent it. You dont want her to look at it like a time out!
Basically, keep it up and be proud of your little girl for her early development. I think babies often have more potential than we give them credit for and helping them to master the skills they have will be good for them, so long as you are not pushing them too hard.
Be patient and be persistent.

You posted your question a month ago; how's it going now?

Toni - posted on 03/12/2010

I agree with other moms on this one- my daughter is 14 months old and we purchased a training potty for her. She will sit on it, but we are also going to wait until she is about 18 months to start training her. She does tug at her diaper and make faces now, but I feel she is still to young.

Deanne - posted on 03/11/2010

I haven't started potty training my 14 month old yet, but she show some similar signs, of pulling at her nappy when she has wet. I have heard of friends who have made it a routine after each snack/meal time and before bed they sit their child on the potty and read a story. Could be worth a try.

Fuchsia - posted on 03/11/2010

My daughter Kaiya is 14 months and she is definitely interested in the toilet and realizing that she can pee outside her diaper. We are getting a potty next week to introduce the concept. I plan to just sit her on it when I go and before her bath (when she always pees). If she does anything great. If not then at least she is getting used to the concept.

Alisha - posted on 03/11/2010

My daughter is 15 months and I just got her a potty seat to start training. I wanted to start a little sooner, but figured I still had time. Right now, I tell her what Mommy is doing on the potty ("mommy's going pee-pee on the toilet") and if she poos in her diaper, I ask if she wants a clean diaper. She usually at that point makes a bee-line for her room for a clean diaper. We use 7th generation now, but she wore cloth diapers for the first 13 months so she seems pretty aware of her movements, etc.
From day one, though, I used my own variation of the elimination communication system by making noises accosicated w/ her urinating and bm's to keep her aware. Like most babies, she's pretty regular timing wise, so I think sitting her down at the right times will make it all that much easier. After reading the posts, I think I'm going to start with the morning poo as that's the most obvious and almost like clockwork.
My best friend's 26 mth old girl is fully trained now and started around 16 mnths, so its never too early to try. She suggested putting the child on the toilet seat facing backwards (looking at the tank) to keep them from falling in and getting that "anxiety" from the lack of support the gapping hole of the adult potty can give. Now she says her daughter just climbs up and sits backward all by herself and doesn't need the kiddy sized seat or Mommy's help to get up.
Good Luck! Do what feels right to you. Take all the advice, mull it over and use what parts makes the best sense to you. That's the great thing about advice, you don't have to take it all, you can choose what works for you!

Michelle - posted on 03/10/2010

My son Lochie has beenn interested in the toilet since he could crawl and follow us everywhere. Like yourself I wasnt sure about when to start toilet training. I googled it and they recommend that along with being interested in the toilet your child should be able to get on and off the potty and be able to pull down and up their pants.



Thanks for asking cause i now have read everyones response and mya start encouraging Lochie to use the potty more....

Erin - posted on 03/09/2010

Good for you for being attentive to your daughter's ques! It might take a while before she is potty trained, but now is the perfect window of time for her to get used to the potty chair. She's at the age where she is learning from you and will want to mimic what you do. Let her sit in the potty chair, follow her signals and have patience!

Becci - posted on 03/07/2010

She is a bit too young for potty training. It is good that she is recognising when she has been but you need her to be recognising when she needs to go. Also she needs to start showing interest in you going to the toilet and sometimes even copying by sitting next to you on the floor.
The usual age for this is about 2 for girls and 2 1/2 for boys.
As frustrating as it is, the more ready for potty training your toddler is, the more likely you will succeed quickly, and through the night.

Allison - posted on 03/07/2010

My 14.5 month old daughter has the "Cheer For Me Potty" It will sing a song only when she pees or poops. I'm not so much training her, just getting her used to it. She has been using it since Christmas when she was a 1 year old. I know of some people that use bribes such as M&M's to get their kids to use the potty. Good Luck!

Michela - posted on 03/03/2010

Every child is different, but in Europe around 1 is when they start to introduce the potty. like everything it takes time, patience and consistence and it will come. read the baby whisper for more information on readiness.

Zowie - posted on 02/28/2010

i personally think 13 months is way to young. but some kids are very advanced for thier age. I am a kindy Gym and Gymnastics coach and i see many many many kids that are ready for things that older kids are not ready for. I say if it works for you then go for it. I on the other hand will not be toilet training my daughter. she is definatly not ready but i am starting to prep her for it. eg: when she does a poop i say "stinky" and so she says stinky aswell. so that way when i can toilet train her then she will come to me and say i need to do stinky. many of my friends have done this and has worked a dream.
Good luck.
:)

Geneviève - posted on 02/27/2010

I'd love to give you advice, but I have the same problem with my 14 month old son! He doesn't even let me know when he's peed in his diaper, I have to check for it myself. I have no idea when he will be ready for potty training. If you get some advice, I'd love to hear from you.

Jess - posted on 02/24/2010

We have been working on Elimination Communication with our son Wyatt since he was 2 weeks old. We would hold him over the potty first thing in the morning, after naps and meals, and sometimes even when I nursed him. We went for almost 2 months without a poopy diaper before he was mobile. Now that he crawls and walks it has been harder for him to focus. His attention span is short when we are in the bathroom. However, that being said he has been peeing on the potty more lately than pooping. We still 'catch' his first morning poop almost daily. We do not pressure him we just make it part of our routine. Even when we are changing a dirty diaper we will set him on the potty and give him a chance to go. I believe he appreciates the communication between us and this in turn is building a trusting relationship. When he is ready to ditch the diapers I believe all the time we put in to the preparation will make him adjust much more quickly to being diaper free. Even now we will use the same diaper 2-3 times in a row. Ultimately we are teaching him muscle control as well.

Erin - posted on 02/24/2010

I started potty training, well introducing the potty to my son at 1 year. I decided to start because he would acknowledge the fact that he went to the bathroom in his diaper. I would ask him if he peed and he would say yes or no. Or if he would poop I would ask him and he would say yes. So we bought the potty and sat him on 3 or 4 times a day. The 2nd day he peed in the potty and looked in it and started clapping. So we read books to him about going to potty while he sits on it, He has used it a few times. We aren't pushing him just letting him know it's available for him to use. He's doing really well. He's almost 14 months and does very well. We have a potty video too. Being very involved and encouraging him to use it has paid off. He loves the potty! Good luck. I don't think it's too early. Just don't push her into something she's not ready for yet. Let me know how it goes.

Courtney - posted on 02/24/2010

My daughter is 14 months and began showing the same signs about 2 months ago. We bought a potty and simply anytime I go to the bathroom I sit her on hers, before meals, after meals, after drinking a lot of water, and before bath. During the day she usually uses it to pee 3-4 times sometimes she will go in the bathroom and want to use it sometimes she does not. Introducing the concepts is great and is working well for me. If she is uncomfortable don't push it because it will only make her afraid of the potty and not want to use it. She has yet to poo in the potty, but it will come in time. I think that girls are easier than boys and that it is by no means TOO EARLY at 13 months, just let her lead the way and make it fun. We read books and sing songs while we are on the potty. Good luck!

Carol - posted on 02/24/2010

go to baby center.com and they have a checklist for potty training

Carol - posted on 02/24/2010

how do you know when to star potty training

Carol - posted on 02/24/2010

i did not now way my son was pulling at his diaper tell now that you say this

Dusti - posted on 02/24/2010

Violet is 14m now. And goes in the potty a couple times a day. I am not training her. When she wants to go, she tells me "Pee, potty" and I take her. Sometimes she goes when I go. Sometimes it's just becasue she wants to be like her big sisters. Just be encouraging if she's ready, she will do it, if not then oh, well.

Carol - posted on 02/24/2010

i do not know that how old my son is we need to start his soon

Tamara - posted on 02/24/2010

Don't be discouraged by some of the comments. Anything is possible. Most of the time, we, as parents, are really training ourselves rather than we are training the child. We train ourselves to look for the signs. We train ourselves to watch the clock and fluid intake. It is a LOT of hard work and there will be disappointments. So, not getting discouraged is a big deal. BUT don't let anyone talk you out of trying. If you don't try, you just won't know.

GO FOR IT!! And be flexible.

T

Corinne - posted on 02/24/2010

Vicky i think youre being a bit of a troll.(torll as in internet troll not the doll for the record)
its been established that she has had success with her 13 month old. Danielle,Congratulations on toilet training your daughter so early, in my opinion it is a little early, but seeing as youve had success with it then that is amazing for you.

Vicky, just because there are some comments on here disagreeing with your opinion does not mean that their opinion is invalid nor does it give you the right to sarcastically commend them for wasted diapers.

As has been said every child is different. Children learn to read at different stages
children learn to talk at different stages
some children walk before they talk.
Potty training is the same thing. This womans child was ready. That is fantastic. Your child was ready. Brilliant

But a response as sarcastic as this.
"Really Karen? Have you read any of the other responses? It's NOT way too early.
My boy is very much able to communicate when he needs to sit on the potty. First thing in the morning, he will wake me up and sign "potty." Did you know babies and toddlers can communicate through sign language before they can speak? I'm sorry that you waited so long! That is a lot of unnecessary diapers!"

was completely uncalled for.
If you dont like the discussion at hand then dont involve yourself. Everyone on here is entitled to their own opinion, as you have vehemently expressed yours, so shall they.

And to say a paediatrician and/or doctor is wrong is ridiculous. They give you diagnosis and prognosis based on typical developments and generalisations where children are concenred. They gave you the 18 - 22 month range because MOST children dont want to potty until this age. Just because you have a child who decided they didnt like their diapers wet before that doesnt mean your doctor or paediatricianis wrong. It means your child is above the rate of development in terms of potty training for their age group. And until you provide us with your PHD or doctorate then you probablyshouldnt shoot down someone more qualified in one fell swoop. This im not directing at Vicky alone. Im sure when your child is throwning down and has a temperature that is sky rocketing the paediatrician or doctor is the first person you call.

Alisha - posted on 02/24/2010

Happy to announce I asked my girl (14 months) if she needed to pee pee last night, she told me "YES" with words, I took her to her potty and she peed... *proud mama* Thank you all for your responses, it sparked me to go ahead and start trying since we already bought the potty! And Danielle, don't let anyone discourage you!!

Vicki - posted on 02/24/2010

Really Karen? Have you read any of the other responses? It's NOT way too early.
My boy is very much able to communicate when he needs to sit on the potty. First thing in the morning, he will wake me up and sign "potty." Did you know babies and toddlers can communicate through sign language before they can speak? I'm sorry that you waited so long! That is a lot of unnecessary diapers!

Karen - posted on 02/24/2010

I honestly think you are wasting your time. It is way too early. They have to be able to communicate that they want to go to the loo. I waited until my sone was 2years and 9 months and it took all of 2 weeks and he was trained. With minimal effort. We had about 1 or 2 booboos where it happened in his pants because he waited too long, but that was that. He absolutely refused to wear a nappy at that stage, not even those training pants and could tell us thathe wanted to wee.

Dawn - posted on 02/23/2010

My son is 13 months and is potty training. We use hand symbols and ask to go use the potty. He walks over there, we sit him on.. and then he goes. On Sunday we didnt change an dirty diaper all day!!! But he has been doing this since 6 months. I dont think it ever too early.. I say start now!!!

Vicki - posted on 02/23/2010

Serena Walter-Steiner- "My Pediatrician says that they don't really have the bladder control until about 16 months."

This is entirely untrue. Since he was 3 months old, my son had been waking up dry in the morning. Such a feat requires muscle control. When I got him a little potty at 7 months, he was immediately able to use it. Five minutes after we got home from picking up the potty, he had his first pee. He quickly realized I was able to help him stay dry by doing his business here. Soon, he was holding it (his bladder, that is) until we got home from lunch, playing, shopping, whatever. Once home and on the potty, he released. Hold and release seems a lot like bladder control to me.

Alisha - posted on 02/23/2010

In China, where they are ahead of America in many ways (aside from communism) it is totally normal and expected to potty train at 15 months... I bought a potty at 13 months and my daughter also responds correctly with a yes or no when asked if she needs her diaper changed... I'm not getting my hopes up, but it's obvious from several posts, that it IS POSSIBLE to potty train early! Don't let anyone discourage you!

Crystal - posted on 02/23/2010

All you are doing at this age is training the parent to your child's urination/bowel patterns...that's not necessarily a bad thing. I just started introducing my 14 month old to the potty as well...I know it's young but there's no harm in getting her to sit when I do. Best of luck to us all :)

Serena - posted on 02/23/2010

My Pediatrician says that they don't really have the bladder control until about 16 months. Though my daughter is squatting and grunting, its not on a time schedule or anything. So I too am waiting until at least around 18 months, and only then if nothing big is happening, like teething. My Dr. said that if you try during teething it sometimes back fires.

Amanda - posted on 02/23/2010

Wow...I have a 14 month old daughter and I haven't even thought about potty training yet. The most interest she has shown is following me into the bathroom and watching me do my business, but that is it. But after reading everything on here I guess it can't hurt to at least go out and buy the training potty to have for when the time comes. I have no advice for you but I do wish you (and all moms who have decided to start potty training early) good luck!

Kelly - posted on 02/22/2010

If you think she is ready it doesn't hurt to try potty training. My grandmother had 3 girls in 3 years time just about and she never had 2 in diapers at the same time. Don't push it though or she might not want to have anything to do with it. If she wakes up from a nap or night time and she is dry, that is a good time to try to sit on the potty. Of course if she does go even a little bit, make a HUGE deal out of it clap, dance whatever it takes. Once she has gone a few times on the potty and you think she might be getting the hang of it you can try putting regular undies on her and if she has an accident she will realize what happens and probably not like the feeling. Good luck! My (almost) 5 year old was trained at 16 months so it is possible!

LeAdelle - posted on 02/22/2010

Wow! My 13 mo old doesn't even walk yet! I have 4 kids and the soonest I started worrying about potty training was at 2. My best advise is to wait until the kid is ready - I tried to push my 1st and he had accidents. The next 2 in line I waited until they wanted to start (age 2 for my girl and 2 1/2 for my boy) and neither of them have ever had an accident. Good Luck!!

April - posted on 02/22/2010

why is everyone discouraging this woman from potty training her child? as we all always say, every baby is different. just because your baby is not ready, does not mean that hers is not! sounds like a great thing to do to me. i don't have any advice for you because my baby doesn't seem ready yet, but good luck to you and don't let these people discourage you!

Amber - posted on 02/22/2010

This is what I am doing with my 13 month old..
I started off just taking her to the bath room with me when I needed to go.. & talked to her. (this is were you pee & poo.. ect)
Then I started sitting her on the potty with pants and diaper on..
Then I started taking her to the potty every hour with no diaper and no pants..

Now shes almost there..
She goes to the bathroom door and says mama and knocks when she has to go..

GOOD LUCK

Vicki - posted on 02/22/2010

Many parents experience that an infant can be diaper free from birth... Yes, "potty trained" from age 0 months.



by Dr. Sarah Buckley, MD
Is it really possible to raise a baby without diapers? Can our babies actually communicate their elimination needs?

Well, how do you know when your baby needs to breastfeed?

Perhaps you recognize a certain gesture or cry. Perhaps your baby is restless, fist or finger sucking, or has a newborn's blind rooting behavior. Maybe you also consider when your baby last fed, and whether they might have a special need for the breast because of tiredness, teething or being in an unfamiliar environment. As well, you might think about your infant's activity level; the weather; his or her routine; your routine; and many other factors that you instinctively take into account when you interpret your baby's signals.

And when you offer your breast, you usually get a "Yes" from your baby, but sometimes they will decline, or be only half interested, whether or not you are reading the signals correctly.

Nyssa - posted on 02/22/2010

I don't think 13 months is too young, Every baby is different, and I believe my daughter is showing signs of readiness. I've been working on it with my daughter, and it only took three days before she figured out how to PEE in the potty! Every time I go in to pee, I bring her with me and she sits on her potty and we pee together.

If your baby has an accident on the floor, have her help you clean it (my daughter likes doing this.) And don't make a huge deal about accidents. But lavish tons of praise on her for even the smallest success until she's consistantly using the potty. Even if she just LOOKS at her potty when you ask, "Do you have to go potty?" Keep it light and fun. I've actually been enjoying the work of potty training, it's been FUN!

I bought this book ( http://www.amazon.com/Early-Start-Potty-... ), and even though the advice in there was what I was already doing, it talks about how in other parts of the world, most babies are potty-trained completely by 18 to 24 months. NOT starting there. Also gives a bit of history of the disposable diaper, and how, when it was invented and moms didn't have to wash diapers they started potty training much later. It's an interesting read, even just for that little history lesson.

Bronwyn - posted on 02/21/2010

My daughter who i have been putting on the potty since 6 months old is more than happy to use the potty and seems to grasp the idea of what she is doing there, she is now 13 months. When she wakes up she will walk straight to the potty where she will sit and wee within 5 minutes. Im sure if a child was showing signs of distress the mother would discontinue the potty training. I think that maybe Julia's mother went about it the wrong way, as many children in my family have been potty trained early, none of which have ever had a toilet phobia or bedwetting problem. If you make potty time a happy and postive experience with lots of praise and positive reinforcement and taking into account your childs personality and readiness you should have no problem. This has been said from EXPERIENCE and not from a book!

Julie - posted on 02/21/2010

For those of you saying it's not too young - my Mum tried training me at 3, yes, 3 months - and then had years of bedwetting and toilet phobia afterward. I know of others who have tried too young and have had the same problem (including myself with my eldest because I listened to 'good advice', which turned out not to be so good anyway). Around 18 months is ideal, they get what you're talking about, and show an interest by that stage. Jamie is my third, and I don't plan on toilet training him for a few months yet.
Talk to other EXPERIENCED mothers - they give you realistic advice, not something from out of a book.

Jessica - posted on 02/21/2010

I agree that it is NOT too young to start, especailly because she is showing signs of interest!!! Yay for you! I wish my 14 month old was ready!! My oldest (4) was potty trained fully by 2 1/2... after reading this I think I will start my baby earlier!! Good Luck and Congrats on not having to change soo many diapers!!!

Melissa - posted on 02/20/2010

13 months is not too young.. if you look deep into it you will see that Russians potty train their children by 12 months.. yes that is correct.. 12 months.. I believe that it is a great idea... my oldest was fully potty trained at 14 months and my youngest is 14 or so months and just about has it down except at bed time!

Melissa - posted on 02/20/2010

Hey! My son is 15 months old and just about potty trained! He used diapers at night and only has an accident or two a day... I introduced him to the potty and put him straight in underpants. I sit him at the times that I had noticed he was urinating and having Bm's. When he sits I give him a little toy or book and he is happy for a while.. I also sit by him and talk/sing to him.. that tends to help.. I always turn the faucet on so that the running water will help.. Best of luck!

Danielle - posted on 02/20/2010

Thank you, I am very proud of her

Bronwyn - posted on 02/19/2010

Great to hear Danielle, keep up the good work!

Danielle - posted on 02/19/2010

Just wanted to thank all the mom's for the help. and to bring good news, that my daughter is doing amazing potty training. She has very few accidents and enjoys going on the potty. Reading books really helps. She hasn't had a poopy diaper for three days and has very few pee diapers. Night time is a little different but she is learning to control.

Nora - posted on 02/11/2010

Wow, i thought 13 months old was way to young but i guess its do-able? Interesting. I probably will start this Spring though. I am not sure if my daughter is ready but i will buy her a potty trainer and just have her sit on it so she gets the idea.

Airiel - posted on 02/11/2010

Every child is different! If your child is aware enough to understand the concept, do it! I used to work with toddlers and had a mom who asked me to start training her lil one at twelve months, and she was completely done with diapers within a few weeks. It really depends on how much time you have to put into it. I think also that the mom who is making a schedule has absolutely the right idea!