how do i began to potty train my daughter

Shannon - posted on 01/01/2009

I think most kids can easily be potty trained before 2 1/2. There is a great potty training article at http://www.grumpymoms.com under parenting. Keep it fun and exciting and it will be much easier!

Debrah - posted on 01/01/2009

Most of the response has been, patience and they will let you know - very true! I have a 2.5 yo boy and 3 yo girl. Neither are interested unless the older siblings are around (so not at all during the day!). The problem I have is: they have been introduced, they have had successful attempts, and they both want to wear big-kid pants; however, their schedule is so inconsistant. I truely think if my husband and I were not working (or at least one stayed home) the consistancy would follow and they would both be trained. Long story not so short: be consistant in whatever regimen you start. There has been very good suggestions here and your little one will let you know what works, but just try to stay consistant with whichever direction you take. Good Luck! (Side note-I have three others that sucessfully trained, so it is possible!!!)

Tianna - posted on 12/31/2008

My daughter is 20 months and is already starting to use the potty. She began squatting with her diaper on and saying "potty". It's not every time but it's a start. Every child is different and you have to just look for the signs/clues. They will let you know when they are ready.

Ashley - posted on 12/31/2008

ive been having problems with my three year old girl she goes to the big potty , we started her out on pull ups starting to think it was a mistake lol she always wet etc in them so about three days ago we switched her onto big girl panites she loves them shes only messed up three times .i think big girl panites help , and also a while back i had her in daycare where she could see other kids use the potty too .I dont know what to tell you besides they take a lot of patience and you cant force them .

Melissa - posted on 12/30/2008

With my second, what finally did the trick was setting the timer for every 15 minutes for a couple of days and then gradually extending the time. After 2 weeks she was trained during the day. As long as I cut the drinks off by 5 or 6 in the evening. She wouldn't wet at night. Each kid is different and different techniques will work with every child. My last one is 2 right now and she is the most stubborn of the bunch and we are going on 2 weeks and today is the first day that she is at least asking to go to the potty, even if it is after she wets! Good luck :)

Christy - posted on 12/30/2008

Put out a little potty chair for her. Let her get used to seeing it. Let her go into the bathroom with you too when you go so that she can see what you are doing. She may want to mimic what mommy is doing. Once she gets used to it maybe try putting her on the potty when she is first out of the bath or between diaper changes. We also had a chart with stickers we'd give her when she would try and she'd get an m&m, because that was a favorite, when she would actually go potty. She also got to pick out some special underpants. When she had the m&m jar emptied she got to open them. It was a decent sized jar so that she was almost completely potty trained when she got to put them on. Little steps! Eventually she will get it. And clothes that make it easy for her to pull up and down quickly if needed. :-) My daughter was really easy to potty train...my son on the other hand has very little interest. Good luck! Hope some of the suggestions everyone has posted help!

Jane - posted on 12/30/2008

We are still in the process of training my 2year old. But I did it in steps...I started when she started waking up with dry diapers from nap and in the morning by just having her sit on the potty. She was a bit scared at first and it took time to get her to take her pants off and sit without screaming. Once she was comfortable sitting we put her in pull ups and had her sit at least once an hour. Then when she started to pee in the potty more often she began to tell us when she had to go and wouldn't even let us in the room with her! Very independent. :) My next step was to put her in real underpants and she stays dry 90% of the time. Just got to work on the pooping in the potty! My advise is to take you time or she will get frustrated too.

Heather - posted on 12/30/2008

I have a 6 yr old & a 19 month old. With the 6 year old he was trained by the time he was 3. For my 19 month old I have taken out the potty &placed it in the bathroom. At this stage I'm only introducing him to the potty and letting him know it is his and what t's for. After he turns 2 I will move to the next step of actually putting him on it to show him what it's for. I don't want to push him.

Stephanie - posted on 12/30/2008

get her use to sitting on the potty, even if it is with clothes on. explain to her what it is and what it is for. even take her in the bathroom with you so that she can see that it won't hurt. don't force her to sit on it. she will once she is ready.

Michelle - posted on 12/30/2008

Well how old is she? My son just turned 2 in October and he would show signs of having to go like holding himself , and crossing his legs and we set him on the potty and just let him go and we are in the process right now, now with my other 3 i just put them in underwear from that day on and nothing else, but they were much older. they say when its time they will let you know and Jayden sure did ! hopes this helps!

Michelle