How could i get my 20 month old to use the potty.

Lindsay - posted on 02/25/2013

I can't believe how mean some of the comments are on here and its fun to get your child interested in the potty before they start training so they aren't scared my husband and I were successful in getting our twins interested in potty training with the potty dance and when they were ready it was a easy transition with a bit of excitement because we were encouraging and helped them build confidence in there new discovery as a little person

Ronel - posted on 12/05/2012

Andrea are you pregnant? it sounds like hormones :) LOL - really just kidding with ya! When I am hormonal I get 'overly passionate' as well. And then afterwards I think. WHAT DID I JUST DO?



I have read through some of these posts and I am amazed at how different each child is.



My son has started showing interest now on 18 months, he is very curious when his dad goes to the loo, and he started telling me when he wants me to change his diaper, before bath time I let him pee pee in the potty and he gets rewarded and claps hands when he is done, so proud of himself (Cant believe how much wee comes out of that little body).



I am thinking of going one step furhter but not sure if I should, we are going on holiday soon and I want to be able to continue a routine, any advice or suggestions? Maybe I should just start taking him once he wakes up in the morning, at lunch time and at bath time, I think its moving slow enough, what do you think?

Andrea - posted on 11/28/2012

I was a bit overly passionate way back then. I think what I meant to say was...follow your child's readiness queues. Lol...I didn't mean to be overly offensive!



Andrea

Amanda - posted on 01/02/2010

Your son is still young. As long as you keep it in sight and keep encouraging it, he'll give it a try when he's good and ready. I just keep my daughter's potty right in the bathroom and sit her on it when I can. First thing in the morning, after lunch or before bed. I would also try getting your son his own underwear ..he might enjoy that!

Michal - posted on 01/01/2010

it will come don't worry and don't do a big thing of it!!!

Kate Kathy - posted on 01/01/2010

Cheyenne has her own potty chair. She is now just telling me she has pooh in her diaper. She sits on her potty but does not do anything. Having 2 other children they will show you when they are ready.

Lauren - posted on 01/01/2010

I agree with you here Deb!! As for Andrea I don't think anyone on here was expecting their child to do anything!! My son didin't even learn to go at daycare he learned at home and only from me having in the room where he plays. If he didn't want to go that would be fine too but he likes too!!! My son also know over 50 words in sign language at 21 months! And knew 10 at 12 months!! From me working on it with him no forcing it! and as for your "day orphanage" that was out of line!! If I didn't go to work I would not be able to pay my mortgage which keeps a roof over my child's head so sorry we can't all sit around the house all day and be housewife's nor would I even want to if I could afford it.

Debra - posted on 12/31/2009

Quoting Andrea:

This is so Nuts! How can you expect a 20 month old to do this? Mine didn't start until she was 2 1/2! I also have a 21 month old, who is just starting to think about how the pee bugs her and sometimes would like to get on and off the pot! I feel for kids who are shipped off to day orphanage! You need to just live more simple lives so YOU can be there for YOUR child, whom YOU WANTED! Are people kidding these days? WOW! You try having a schedule like your child at that very young age, the age it is most important for mommy to be there with them! Good luck!

Hey Andrea,  Circle of Mums is about Mums helping Mums - NOT judging them.  'Day Orphanage' have you been to an orphanage?  Coz I can tell you that it's nothing like day care.  Some Mums work for things other than money - helping otherds, mental stimulation, volunteering...  Arent we all just doing the best we can? 

Lauren - posted on 12/31/2009

I think every child is different and WILL go when they are ready, however at 20 months my son started showing interest in when my husband and I would be going and would always point pee pee! So we went and bought him a potty, no pressure to use what so ever I just left it there in the living room so he could see it!! If its up in your bathroom they will no remember to go. The odd time he would point and say pee so we would take off his diaper and he went a couple of times. He is now 21 months old and for the past week has been peeing everyday on it. Only 2 or 3 times but it is a start!! We always will clap and make a huge deal and I also give him a treat after. He loves that we love it so is more encouraged to do so. And hey in china they are potty trained by like 1 so it can be done we had a girl at the daycare I worked in who would go before she was even one!!! Just sitting up on her own!!!!! It was amazing!!!! She was chinese and that is just how she was taught.

Sarah - posted on 12/30/2009

In my opinion pull ups are very confusing for little ones, they feel much like a nappy/diaper most children do better without them, I am a fan of no pants or real underwear- when you feel it run down your leg it ALOT easier to learn what is going on. At 20 months I would not push it... I have 3 daughters all of which basically toilet trained themselves completely, I am not sure how nessisary it is to do anything except HAVE a potty next to the toilet and praise them if they firstly sit on it and secondly use it. Boys take longer, they can take well over 3 years to be ready and tend to be "lazy" about it lol. Pushing can cause all sorts of behavioural (tantrums, shame ect) and health problems (UTIs especially) so I would advise to relax.

Aggie - posted on 12/30/2009

I actually started introducing potty time to my daughter at 12 months and she was doing great. She would get a sticker for every peepee & every poopie she did and she loved getting stickers and being os proud. However at 18 months she didn't wanna sit on the toilet potty anymore cause it was taking way too long for her. I didn't wanna push her so we took a break from potty and now we're trying to introduce it to her again after EVERY meal she has (especially after her morning bottle and evening bottle of milk and cereal). She goes from time to time, but I do believe that it takes time and ALOT of patience to be able to teach her to go every time she needs to.

As for the comments above about "day orphanage" and "ridiculous people" ... you girls have no idea what her situation is. She might have to work double because she doesn't have a hubby, or he lost a job or vise versa, so ... for people that are LESS FORTUNATE in the financial situation and need to work overtime to make ends meet, you have to give them a break when they have to have more help with teaching and watching the baby while they work their butts off. And I believe as long as you REMEMBER to pick up your child after work ... it's NOT considered an ORPHANAGE, but a daycare or childcare or preschool !!!

On that note, I really hope you just stay consistent and keep trying slowly to show how to use the potty and eventually he'll learn =)

Sara - posted on 12/30/2009

I know some children will learn all by themselves when they are younger but the truth be known most children are 2+. I have always trained my kids (I have 3) in the summer months where they can have the diaper off. I do not believe in pull ups unless you are going out & for night time as they know that they can still pee in them & you will change them.
Yes many children know they are wet & will tell you. however the hard bit is them telling you BEFORE they pee themselves. Hence why I leave the diaper off as after a day of peeing down their leg & slipping in it if you have wooden or tiled floor they soon understand what that pre pee feeling is. Also you have to remember that lots of children revert back & go through a stage of peeing themselves again & pooing again is especially common as toddlers despite the amount of veggies & water they get will get constipated, then they get scared to poo as it hurts, so hold it in until little bits leak out.
I am owner of one of this day orphanages for people who have to work to give their kids a roof over their heads & see mothers trying far too early to toilet train. I do not believe in pull ups unless you are going out & for night time as they know that they can still pee in them & you will change them.

Other children are the best teachers of anything & do aim to please & like to copy other children, your child will pick it up eventually from the other children & if they are a decent 'day orphanage' then they will not pressure your child.

Emma - posted on 12/30/2009

i also really dont understand why parents feel they need to bribe their children with sweets im sorry i dont want to be rude but it is no wonder the world is being destroyed by obesity feeding children sweets when they have done something good or they feel they deserve it. It is setting them up to do nothing but that, every time they get upset and feel they deserve it, or do something good so they deserve a treat, better go eat some junk food now. It is programming them at a young age that its ok to do this, it may be in small amounts when they are young but its not quantity its in the way its being done, remember its the little things like that, that normally you wouldnt second think that are paving the way of their future im not meaning to sound like another one of those nagging people, but just think just that little bit more about the small stuff that may not seem important to you at the time, but they make a huge difference overall

Emma - posted on 12/30/2009

i totally agree with you there and i really do think that persons remark was extremely rude good on you for saying something. My son is 21 months hes not actually going to the toilet he likes to sit there and kind of mimic mum and dad because we let him watch but i am certainly not worried as i know it has nothing to do with just how smart ur child is, its their body and their body will tell them when its ready, shame on you if you think its because ur child isnt smart enough that is disgusting the more you force them the more anxiety they will develop when it comes to toilet training and may cause them to have problems with bed wetting etc if you dont understand how it all works... read up on it inform urself with some useful information and then pay attention to ur childs needs and what they are telling you with their body language and i think you will find you have alot more progress. Sorry about the long message

Randi - posted on 12/28/2009

My daughter is mostly potty trained. We gave her a potty chair for her first birthday, and waited for HER to show interest. She started by sitting on it fully clothed when we would go, and eventually warmed up to the idea. I say let him show the interest. It doesn't work if he is forced. I am kind of surprised that they would make him wear pull ups though. We use the padded underwear. They seemed to work better for us because she can feel if she had an accident. Good Luck!

AnnaMarie - posted on 12/28/2009

I HAVE 3 BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND MY OLDEST GIRLS WERE POTTY TRAINED BEFORE THE AGE OF 2. THEY WERE REWARED WITH HERSHEY CANDY AT FIRST THEM WHEN THEY WERE GOING LIKE 13 TIMES A DAY JUST TO GET A PIECE OF CHOCOLATE I SWITCHED TO STICKERS ON THE GIANT CALENDER. MY GIRLS WERE POTTY TRAINED WITH IN A WEEK. FOR MY SON HOWEVER HE IS 21 MONTHS OLD AND I AM GOING TO START WITH HIM ON THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. AND ABOUT THE COMMENT ON SHIPPING YOUR CHILDREN TO DAY ORPHANAGE, PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK TO SUPPORT THE ONES WE LOVE SO DEARLY AND THEY DO LEARN ALOT IN DAYCARE. SO ON A LAST NOT GOOD LUCK WITH THE POTTY TRAINING AND USE FRUIT LOOPS WHEN YOUR READY FOR STANDING. THE ARE COLORFUL FUN AND BIGGER AND BETTER FOR AIMING THAN CHERIOS.

Amanda - posted on 12/21/2009

My son did the same thing what i found good what to put him on the toilet with the child seat cover so he thinks hes using the toilet but what i fould useful was to keep him distracted while he was on the toilet ( with my toothbrush or his favorite toy) and one he used the washroom i made a big deal like clapping and going oh my god yay and all that but it worked :)

Andrea - posted on 12/21/2009

Quoting Andrea:

This is so Nuts! How can you expect a 20 month old to do this? Mine didn't start until she was 2 1/2! I also have a 21 month old, who is just starting to think about how the pee bugs her and sometimes would like to get on and off the pot! I feel for kids who are shipped off to day orphanage! You need to just live more simple lives so YOU can be there for YOUR child, whom YOU WANTED! Are people kidding these days? WOW! You try having a schedule like your child at that very young age, the age it is most important for mommy to be there with them! Good luck!

well, that isn't very nice.  What works for you might not be the same for someone else..let's not judge one another some people have to work to provide for their family, thankfully I don't..and btw my son is 20 months and he is pottying ,just practice with them.  I think it is crazy we have 3 year olds running around in diapers or pull ups, back in the day kids were pottying early like by the time they were two.  I think soceity has become to sensitive and to lazy..but that is my opinion.   

Renee - posted on 12/14/2009

I agree with alot of you its hard to potty train anyone and thing lol, I feel im training my older 2 boys still to aim and pick up the seat let alone putting it back down again.HeHeHe The babies will learn when they are ready I mean come on they grow fast enough, dont they...Im in no hurry to get my daughter potty trained she will let me know when she is ready other wise she is right on task ....good luck all happy Holidays.

Aimee - posted on 12/13/2009

dont stress over it! all kids gfet there eventually. my son is 20 months. when i change him he asks to sit on the potty but hasnt done anything in it yet! im just trying to make it fun and not a big deal for him. the last few days he has started telling us when he has wet his nappy, so i think thats the first step. just be patient and remember boys develope later than girls but it will happen!

Candice - posted on 12/11/2009

I've been wondering the same thing because my daughter is really smart but she's just not there yet. I heard boys don't potty train until later. I've seen a 3 yr old boy still in diapers. so its all when he is ready. he will let you know.

Megan - posted on 12/11/2009

We got my daughter a potty training video and she loves it. When we first introduced the potty video we let her take the potty into the living room and watch the movie. Now we just tell her to go use the potty and she will go into the bathroom. We use smarties as a treat. If she uses the potty she will get a smartie and if she doesn't use the bathroom then we dont give her one. She gets mad, but she has to learn to use the potty. So give this a try and hopefully it will work as well as it did for me. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Cindi - posted on 12/10/2009

I would def. wait until he is ready. 20 months seems young to me - my twin girls are no where near being ready and I am not going to force them. I guess you probably could if you forced him but he will let you know when he is ready.
good luck!

Lisa - posted on 12/10/2009

dear god how can people seriously expect a child of that age to understand how to use a potty or be interested in it, its not fair to pressure ur child into doing things he or she is not ready for my son is 22 months old and i wouldn't dream about potty training him yet not till hes 2 or 2 1/2 i mean how can u expect ur child to understand that ur just going to confuse the poor little thing

Andrea - posted on 12/07/2009

This is so Nuts! How can you expect a 20 month old to do this? Mine didn't start until she was 2 1/2! I also have a 21 month old, who is just starting to think about how the pee bugs her and sometimes would like to get on and off the pot! I feel for kids who are shipped off to day orphanage! You need to just live more simple lives so YOU can be there for YOUR child, whom YOU WANTED! Are people kidding these days? WOW! You try having a schedule like your child at that very young age, the age it is most important for mommy to be there with them! Good luck!

Maria - posted on 12/06/2009

Have your husband put cherios in the bowl and show him how to hit them with his pee.

Danielle - posted on 12/06/2009

Quoting Mary:

How could i get my 20 month old to use the potty.

My son is 20 months. He was promoted to the toddler class at his day care 3 months ago. The toddler class has to wear pull ups. He goes to the bathroom, pull his pull ups down,and put his toilet seat on the toilet, but he won't use it. what should i do at this point? should i wait and give him more time?

do not push your child to use the pody. they will do it when they are ready. The best thing you can do is put the Child on the pody ounce every hour.

Kristina - posted on 12/05/2009

coltin is right there with you but he will potty in the toilet and keep the pull up dry but he just now started doing this soo give your son time!!! make potty time "FUN" we race to the bathroom and he cracks up with this not sure why but mommy racing him is fun i guess so then he will sit on it (but he refused the little toilet) and we straight tot he big toilet with a ELMO seat! but he has the help with big sister still being at home he wants to do it all like she does if it is just me and th kids at home we use the OPEN door policy unless other business is being done LOL but he will get there!! GOOD LUCK !

Holly - posted on 12/04/2009

I started toilet training with my daughter (same age as your son) at about 18 months. She showed signs of being ready such as telling me she was dirty, and hiding when soiling her diaper. I began to get her interested in the potty (as oddly as this sounds) leaving the door open when I used the bathroom. She saw Mommy using the potty, and wanted to do the things that Mommy does. After a few weeks of her observing, I bought her a potty seat. I sat her down on it with a book (which she LOVES) and just let her get used to it. After a few minutes, I took her down from the potty, let her flush and then we washed her hands. We repeated this many times, until she actually "went."

Maybe you should get your son used to the idea a little bit more - give him some more time. After observing the other kids in his class, he may begin to get really interested. His body may not be quite ready for this new adjustment either. Just let him continue to observe, and practice.. and sooner or later, he'll be adjusted to the potty idea.