Am I starting potty training too soon

Chansey - posted on 01/26/2010

Thanks everybody for the good advice! My son is excited about his new potty and he sits on it and he's used it a few times. This is a long stretch that we're going down but all of this encouragement really helps. One thing I found out that he really liked is my mom knew that we were starting potty training so for Christmas she bought my son a book about a little boy who is learning to use the potty. I read the book to him and explain to him what the little boy is doing and he'll go point to his potty and say pee pee or poop. But I'm just being very paitient and going by his cues that he gives me. Sometimes he refuses to sit on the potty and other times he refuses to get off of his potty.

Amber - posted on 01/25/2010

Chansey...I know that this reply is a little late, but Im not on here very much lately. I too have an 18 (almost 19) month old and for his 1st birthday we got him a baseball potty. It was in the bathroom for about 1 month for him to look at and get used to it being in there. Then we started using it after nap time only for about 2 weeks, then I brought in 1st thing in the morning. This is usually the time that most children use the restroom. After about 1 to 1 1/2 months of only doing it those 2 times a day (and getting him used to it b/z he cried b/z he was still sleepy or he was going while I was taking off his diaper) I introduced one time here and one time there...Now we go 1-2 times every 2 hours and he holds it and even gets a little squirmy in the car if he has to go. He is doing great and it sounds like your doing a great job. Along with different children being ready at different times, Mothers are also ready at different times. When you both are ready, you will be successful! I truely hope that this works for you doll!

Amber

Sara - posted on 01/20/2010

hi my son is 17 months old and starting to pull up and down his diaper problem to small for pull ups lol however we just started using a sticker system if he pees he gets a sticker poop he gets 2 stickers depending on how many stickers he has by end of month decides a big/medium/small prize. but he likes it and i have fun giving it to him. plus he also learned his potty is a stool so in morning and night time he stands on his stool while mommy brushes her teeth he brushes his of course i do his as well but the fact he is learning and mimicking quick is a great reason to start!!!!

Ameo - posted on 01/20/2010

It's never too soon in my opinion. I wish we'd started sooner with our 3 yo, who took about 6 mos to finally get interested in it full time. Every chance we get we put our 18 mo old on the potty, but I don't fight her over it. Every time the 3 yo sits on the potty we put the younger one on as well. I found that the older the 3 yo got the more in control she became of whether or not she peed her pants! So we're tackling this early for Emily because she thinks it's cool still to get a sticker! Go for it!

Terri - posted on 01/20/2010

I understand your concern with this issue as i was feeling the same way. But then i took my daughter, Mia, to her 18month well visit and the doctor said right now is the best time to BEGIN potty training...

As for the boy thing, my mom always told me use fruit loops or cheerios is attempting to stand up and pee... They need something to aim at, right? Give it a try and see if it works for you. You are very lucky to have a boy that is capable of saying when he has to go because my mia wont tell me anything yet except for "no" haha. Good luck :)

Terri

Crystal - posted on 01/19/2010

My son is also 18 months and we got him a potty about a month ago. I would just sit him on it everytime Id change his diaper. I told the Dr that we were trying it out and she gave me a funny look and told me not to expect much. My husband and I arent but today he peed 3 times in it! The last time he was playing and looked up and said "Mommy potty" so we ran to the bathroom and he went! So its never too early to start! I think as long as you dont force him then it wont hurt anything! If hes anything like my son he'll be so happy when you tell him how much hes a big boy and make a big deal out of it :) So good luck!

Sami - posted on 01/19/2010

my doctor recently told me my son is ready to start potty training, and he just turned 18 months. he doesn't physically tell me he is going, but i know when he is because he grabs the front of his diaper when he pees and he grunts and doesn't move when he poops. he's gone pee in his potty a couple of times but i'm taking it slow so i don't overwhelm him. she also said he is ready to sleep in a toddler bed, even though I thought you weren't supposed to until at LEAST two years old. so we're waiting until his second birthday to set up the toddler bed, just to be safe.

Amanda - posted on 01/13/2010

With my daughter, she started grabbling her diaper saying "wet" so we went and bought her a talking elmo potty. At night before she got a bath I would sit her on it and she would pee every time. It's really got to be her way and when she wants to at this point because she's not ready to tell us that she needs to go, she would rather keep playing. Just watch your child for their cues!

KaReesha - posted on 01/12/2010

I definitely don't think it is too early! Sounds like he is ready to me lol All kids get ready at different ages. I plan to try with my daughter starting in a couple weeks. I say let him take a shot at it and if it doesn't go so well maybe wait a little longer, but it is definitely worth a try!

Andrea - posted on 01/12/2010

Every child is different. And from what is sounds like, your son is ready for potty training. I have been looking into, whether or not, to start potty training my son, and from what I read, my son may be ready to start. I just got to try.
Advise would be, not to rush him, if he doesn't need to go, he doesn't need to go. Always make it a possitive time. I am going to keep books in the bathroom to help relax my son and make it a little more fun. Sometimes being relaxed will help 'advance' anything that may be held up. Be patient and ready to clean up accidents.

Lucy - posted on 01/12/2010

My daughter is 18months old and I have just started to potty train her too. Grace is exactly the same (can tell me when she needs to go and timing), I know how you feel because I have a few people thinking that its maybe to early but all I can say is as his mum you are the only person that will know when is the right time. Good luck!! Lucy x

Susan - posted on 01/12/2010

My son is turning 18 months too I would like to start him on the pooty how did you start your son on it? We have the pooty in the bathroom he gose to it and sits on it.

Amanda - posted on 01/11/2010

Hey! My daughter is fixing to be 18 months and she has been using the potty since she was 15 months. She won't tell me when she needs to go yet so its still a guessing game but don't worry about what others say. You know your child better than anybody else so you do what you feel is right. Hey, my daughter has even pooped in the potty a few times already!!

Kristy - posted on 01/11/2010

No one can tell you if it's too soon. I started my son at 15 months, when I was 6 months pregnant with my daughter. I really wanted him to at least have some idea before 'baby' came along. It was really good. When Hannah was born, Josh went back into nappies for a few weeks, but he was ready to go pretty much straight away. Best thing I've done. My third baby is now 18 months and I am only just starting to toilet train now. She doesn't like it, so I think the sooner the better!!! Good Luck

Charndra - posted on 01/11/2010

Hi Chansey,
of course it is not too soon. In the past MOST children were moving out of nappies/ diapers by this age. The current vogue to not do this until 3 or 4 is clever marketing by disposable companies who make more each day longer your child wears a toilet around!

Go for it, don't be concerned about others, just follow your son's lead. I doubt you need advice really, as you appear to be doing nicely.

Be easy, relaxed, enthusiastic and confident. This age is one of the early windows. My son is climbing onand off the potty all the time at the moment, practicing the skills.

Using sign language is helpful, and perhaps some potty songs too!

http://www.parttimediaperfree.com/baby-s...

-Charndra

http://www.tribalbaby.org

Lisa - posted on 01/11/2010

Well I think if your child shows interest in the potty then go for it.. My 18 month old son has been interested in his potty and he actually went poop on it the other day.. However he doesn't use it everyday he still likes to pull his pants down and take his diaper off so I've been trying to get him to use his potty more.. Good Luck hope it works out for you..

Cherese - posted on 01/10/2010

believe it or not i was potty trained at 13 months:) apparantly i would strip off all dirty diapers and walk around partially naked. my parents and babysitter got tired of this real quick and decided to train me at the same time as my almost 3 year old brother and it took! 18 months is not too old to me:)

Punzelina - posted on 01/10/2010

My son does the same and he is 17 months! if you aren't pushing him and you are watching his cues, great! I've spoken to other moms with older children and they regret that they didn't start when their kids were ready (they are now 2 and 3 and are trained to use their diapers). If your son is advanced enough to tell you when he needs to go, then he is definitely ready. He will learn to either do it right, or he will learn that his diaper is the place to go! Mine tells me and I also take him to the bathroom. he sits on the big toilet and he goes!! then he flushes, says buy, buy to the contents, then shuts the lid (if there is one). I say, "go for it" and ignore what those other people say! They are probably just envious that their kids weren't as easy to train... lol

Kristy - posted on 01/10/2010

my daurghter turns 18 months tomorrow, i introducted her to the potty about 3 months ago. she would only go every once in a while, but shes startig to tell me more and more when she does need to potty. i also get wierd looks when i say i've been potty training. they think its early. my thought on that is if you ad your child can communicate when they need to potty, then go with it! i think if the child is interested then go with it.

Heather - posted on 01/10/2010

thats great that he is advanced in many ways... My son is just over 18 months and i am getting ready to start the potty training with him. He is still in diapers and well I am in need of suggestions with the training myself...........

Danielle - posted on 01/10/2010

Here is my view! IF HE IS READY THAN GO FOR IT!! There is no rule on how early we can potty train our kids and if peopl are giving you a hard time well its because they are jealous they wish there little one would start pottying early we all do LOL good luck!!


Danielle Depersio

Ambra - posted on 01/10/2010

My daughter is 17 months and we've started training her. Mostly we take off her diaper and let her run around half naked in the evenings and weekends (day care will wait until she has the hang of it before starting to put her on the potty during the weekdays) so that we can a) see when she is about to pee if she forgets to tell us and rush her to the potty (to help her make the link between the feeling and the potty) and b) she generally enjoys running around diaper-free and thinks it's a fun game which helps too. She doesn't really talk much (she's a bilingual baby and slower to catch on verbally as a result), but she does pull on her diaper or touch herself in the classic 'gotta pee!' or Michael Jackson pose! :-) She also tends to clasp her legs together, stand really still and she starts crying if she pees on herself so she doesn't like the feeling. That said, we've really only had 3 really successful potty pees (we've been trying for about 5 days). I think I'll try the sticker idea-- she loves stickers, although just lots of "yay"s, applause and hugs also make her pretty happy.

We lived in Europe for a couple of years and babies there are trained much earlier than in North America. Many pre-schools (which start at 18 months) won't even take your child if he/she is not potty trained. I personally think that although your child has to be ready, it is mainly the parents that need to be ready. It is a lot of work and committment to potty train and expensive or not, diapers can be changed easily and don't require emergency stops at the grocery store or on long drives. They also don't require you to pay attention to every cue your child gives you that they may need to go. So I'd say it's at least half a question of training the parents, too! Good luck!

Faith - posted on 01/09/2010

my daughter is 17 months and we have already started introducing the potty to her. if he is showing you he is ready then take advantage of it now and go for it,lol.

Lakeya - posted on 01/09/2010

no i started my son @14 months he sits on the pot and does his business the earlier the better he is 18 months now every baby is different some are ready some arent dont worry about what other parents say thats your child

Charla - posted on 01/09/2010

I started my girls about that age and it took about 6 mos to fully train them (or me!!) I have a 17 mos boy and he pulls on his diaper and tells me stinky, mostly afterward, but twice now it was before! I missed the opportunity! Not sure what I'm going to do yet as not sure I am willing to fight as hard as I did with the girls.

Whitney - posted on 01/09/2010

It sounds like your son is ready to start potty training. From what I've heard, most children are ready around 2. My son is 18 mo and he is not quite ready yet. I think you are doing a marvelous job by recognizing the appropriate signs in son and beginning his potty training. So, there really is no proper age, just recognizing when your child is ready before you start. Great job and congrats on the light at the end of the diaper tunnel! :)

Amy - posted on 01/09/2010

My son is 17 months and I have started to introduce him to the potty....

Angelic - posted on 01/09/2010

no i actually think thats good my son start early and was done before he turned to, now my daughter i started her now and she can barley talk but she knows waht to do , if you ask her if she has to go she will sit on the potty like a big girl . kids thesedays sre very smart , dont worry about what others say i been down that road, keep doing what you are it does not hurt anyone, when he deides he is not going to sit on the potty anymore then you know he was not ready but for now keep it going

Angela - posted on 01/08/2010

It sounds like your child is ready!! When they are ready they are ready regardless of what others think. I personal started my former step daughter and my oldest at 18 months and plan on starting my 18 month potty training this month. As long as you have a good support team thats willing to help you will be fine. The biggest problem I had with my oldest was the daycare not helping. Otherwise everything was great. The sooner they are out of diapers the sooner you start saving that money, you know for college or something, lol.

Angii - posted on 01/08/2010

I think its a bit early but it all depends on your boy. If he is showing ready signs then absolutely start the training. Dont force him to go though, Im noticing my 17month old also being able to tell when he is doing his "work" but he has an older brother that is completly trained makes life easier when they can copy. Just let him do it at his own pace

Bonnie - posted on 01/08/2010

My son is 17mths and is just learning to love the potty! Whenever i use the washroom when hes around me he'll tell me he needs to 'pee'. So i put him on until he says hes done.. usually a few minutes, he hasnt actually done anything but i think its great that hes taking an interest in it. I was told not to start until they reach their 2nd bday, but if he has an interest in starting why not! We'll see how it works out,

Good luck :)

Anne - posted on 01/08/2010

Not at all! I'm a Montessori teacher and Montessori says that the sensitive period (the time when children are interested in and ready for) toilet learning is 12-18 months. After that it's actually harder to do. Good luck!

Andi - posted on 01/08/2010

GO for it! We introduced a potty to our 18 month old last month because she was consistently telling us she was doing things in her diaper. Now we are just trying to put her on the potty after naps and in the morning because we're noticing a pattern...and it's nice to not have to change a poppy diaper :). The only advice I have is be casual about it and don't make it a forced thing that stresses you and him out. It's not worth the aggravation. He WILL be potty trained for the majority of his life!

Beth - posted on 01/08/2010

Hi Chansey. My name is Beth.. I have an 18yr old boy and also an 18month old...my 18yr old boy was potty trained at 17 months fully.. He was very easy, But my 18 month old just wont tell me when he has to go..Every time me or my husband go potty we take Dylan (18 month old) to go potty with us..we take his diaper off and sit him on his potty and talk to him...He understand alot of things but he just wont grasp the potty thing.. He knows what you are suppose to do but all he can do is laugh when we sit him on it...So keep doing what you are doing..Its great that your son is learning fast...KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK...thank you Beth

Christina - posted on 01/08/2010

Hi Chansey, I think it is great that your son is so smart at such a young age. A child, even at that age will let you know when they are ready for different things. My baby girl (2nd child) is 18 months as well and my fiancé and I were just talking about getting a potty for her to start training. My first daughter picked it up very fast as well and by two years old she was completely out of diapers. This was great for us because those diapers are not made for support and they can get very expensive. Especially in these hard economic times! These diapers are made so poorly today that I wake up some mornings rushing to get her out of her diaper before it explodes. (What is that crap inside the diapers anyway?) I would have to say that those individuals who give you looks are only wondering "HOW" you got your son to even think about a potty seat. I would not change anything you are doing! I think you are an excellent parent and you should let your son explore whatever he wants……it stimulates their minds and this is how they learn. I would not recommend holding him back by any means. It is funny how some mothers will give looks to those of us who try to advance our children but they do not seem to say anything about those mothers who breast feed their son until they are 8 years old, or how about the children who are still drinking from bottles at 5 yrs old? Shouldn’t they be the ones getting the looks?
Chaney, remember we all have our own ways of teaching, raising and guiding our children into this life and we all have different morals, values and beliefs so you will always have someone disagree with what you are doing. But as a mother we all have a different kind of connection with our children that no one will ever fully understand, so don’t let anyone tell you how to raise your child and definitely do not let others upset you or make you feel like you are doing something wrong. It is a mother’s instinct ….. “We know what is best for “our own” children”. Keep up the great work and I wish you all the luck with the potty training.
OH one more thing……I do not have any boys but I did hear that putting fruit loops in the potty and letting them aim at the rings helps make going potty fun for boys. LOL! I do not know how true that is but that is just what I have heard some mommy’s do. GOOD LUCK!

Heather - posted on 01/08/2010

Listen to your mommy insincts. Only you know what your baby needs :) 2 of my due date buddies are already potty training. One started the elimination method when her daughter was much younger than ours and she is still doing very well. I'm about to start my 18 month old!



A friend told me she put cheerios in her toilet and had her sons try to hit the "target"

Katie - posted on 01/08/2010

I was told little boys usually wait til around 2 before they are ready for potty training, having something to do with their communication skills being slower to develop than girls, but my son is 18 months as well, and he is already telling me when he has to go to the bathroom. Not with words per se, but I know what he's getting at. Potty training here we come. I say the sooner the better. Good luck!

Pearl - posted on 01/08/2010

My daughter got up about a week ago and said pee pee so i took her to the potty and she has been using it ever since so no it is not to soon to start my son was completly trained by the time he was 2

Nikki - posted on 01/08/2010

Hi! My son will be turning 18 months this month, and for Christmas Santa brought him a potty chair. The only reason I haven't started it yet is because we are getting ready to move and he has started transistioning into a toddler bed. I didn't want to throw too many changes at him, but once we get settled in the new house and he's content in his bed, he will start sitting on the potty chair. I don't see anything wrong with what you are doing! Best of luck!!

Cathy - posted on 01/08/2010

From a developmental standpoint, 18 months is about the EARLIEST that you can start potty training, because before that age, they lack the muscule control to "hold it". It is pretty early, so expect it to be a long road for you. That doesn't mean that it will be, but potty training takes a lot of patience. I work in child development, so this is my profession. I always tell parents that the longer they wait to work on potty training, the shorter the process will be. Most kids aren't really ready until 2 1/2 to 3. That said... there's nothing wrong with introducing the potty right now, however please don't push it. Kids who are pressured and pushed develop toileting fears, and sometimes even constipation. Go with the flow (so to speak) and just be relaxed about it. Ask him if he wants to use the potty, and then accept his answer. If he doesn't want to use it, let it go. If you start to see that it's becoming challenging, back off for a few weeks/months and then start again.
Good luck!!

Joanne - posted on 01/08/2010

i agree with you because my oldest was around 18 months old when he was potty trained as he started pre school when he was 2 and they [prefer them to at least start being learned to be pottty trained so it makes thier lives easier so i got to start doing it with my youngest which is 18 months old now so that he can start pre school in sept aswell the same 1 his big bro went to so dnt worry wat otrger people say just concentrate on your kids and dont wrry abt any1 elses i dnt!!!!!!!

Christina - posted on 01/07/2010

My daughter will be turning 18 months old in 2 wks and I'm preparing to potty train, she's able to tell me when she pees but is for some reason shy about pooping. She hates her diaper and constantly rips them off, and thanks me when I change her. I think some kids are just different than others my niece didn't take to potty training until she was 2 1/2. If it works for you and your child go for it!

Sandra - posted on 01/07/2010

Who cares what other people think. You need to do what you think your child is ready for. My son is about to be 18 months and we just bought him a potty. What can it hurt as long as you don't make it a big deal or push him. For some reason here in North America we don't start potty training until later. In Europe most children are trained by the time they are two. Go figure.

Shelia - posted on 01/07/2010

i DO NOT think that u are starting potty training to soon. we have been working with our daughter since she was 16 months old because she used to say potty and want to sit on there. i guess to first see what it was like. we bought her own potty however she still likes to sit on the big one. now she is almost 18 months old and goes 1st things when she gets up in the morning and at least once more per day. so keep up the good work! i hope we both make it thru this time quickly!

Jade N Tim - posted on 01/07/2010

i think that your child will tell you when they are ready to start doing things especially if they can tell you when they need to go. good on you for listening to you little boy. every child is different. other mums should just worry about their own children instead of other peoples who are doing a great job

Vicki - posted on 01/06/2010

My two cents? If he's happy then you must be doing something right :) trust your instincts and happy toileting!

Tamara - posted on 01/06/2010

Yes he absolutely sounds ready! As far as for a little advice...iv heard throwing a cheerio in the toilet and getting him to aim on it is very helpful! Much luck to you and your son!

Bre - posted on 01/06/2010

my son just turned 18 months old too and he got a potty for christmas and has also started to learn how to use it, he knows when he is about to wee but hasn't quite got the hang of going to his potty. i think he is worried about doing anything when he doesn't have his nappy on, so he has been sitting on his potty with his nappy still on and when he learns that then we wil try to get him to do it with out the nappy, but i dont think they are ever to young to start learning, its not hurting anyone and if he catches on quickly then great but if its going to take a while then why not start now.
good luck

Samantha - posted on 01/06/2010

sod what other people say you know when our children are ready my son is 16 months and we got him a potty to play with so it would be a shock when we told him to sit on to poo or pee but now he sits on it but most times we have little bits where he goes not today and stands up and pees on the floor thank god for laminated flooring i say lol but no your son sounds happy to be doing it so carry on i would if it was me good luck

Pink - posted on 01/06/2010

can I hire your mum? Really, I'd love to have her method to use it! I can't wait to get him out of the stinky nappies and save the environment a bit more (we use a mix of washable and disposable)