What is the best way to potty train early?

Laura - posted on 04/20/2010

I don't think you can expect him to not wear diapers at this stage simply because they do not have th mussle control needed to hold on. However, i don't believe that it is too early to at least get him used to the potty. My daughter is just over one for some time i have been putting her on the potty every morning as soon as she gets up and have started to do the same before she goes for a bath. I am hoping that it will set up a good routine so that when she is ready it will make things easier. I give her lots of praise and kisses and hugs when she does something however, if she doesn't do anything i don't make a big deal.

Len - posted on 04/19/2010

Not judging, he is your son. I have three kids, a 7 yr old, a 4 yr old, and a 14 month old. My oldest was interested in the potty at a year old, we tried at about 14 months, no success, he was not potty trained during the day until about 2, my middle child I tried at just over a year old to introduce the potty she wanted NOTHING to do with it she was not potty trained during the day until about 3 and the 14 month old will start fussing when she's smelly or wet and wants changed right after which I hope is a good sign but at this point I think I would be training my self not her. I have read several "how to" books on potty trained because I had such a problem with my daughter and ALL of them say not to even start until 18 months but most say about 2 is a good age. I will tell you this much take him to the bath room let him see you use the toilet and explain how you go potty every time, then see if he'll sit on his potty DO NOT force at all, TWO days and my daughter was potty trained when I let her decide when she was ready. She just wasn't ready when I wanted her to be ready. Let your son be a baby and he will let you know when HE is ready!!!

Christy - posted on 04/19/2010

I don't really think that it is ever to early to start the process... it is more about training ourselves than anything. Be consistent and reward his sucesses. DO NOT however punish him when he has accidents, esp if you are starting so young. Just keep him familiar with the potty chair and use training pants instead of pull ups... Get ready to do lots of laundry!
I started my son a year ago. He is now 3 and is what I would call 95% trained! I still assist him when he asks, but he lets me know when he has to go (both pee and poop) and he is capable of going on his own. He still wears pullups at night... maybe I need to post a question as to how to transition out of the night pullup!?!?!?!

Cassandra - posted on 04/19/2010

I as well want to start potty training my son at 12 months. I am going to buy him his potty for his birthday and spend time letting him get used to it. I want to have another baby soon, but i really want only one child in diapers!

Sara - posted on 04/19/2010

Well thank you all for your wonderful suggestions! It really is a big help to hear from other moms, and listen to what they have to say and their personal experience. Even though it might be too early at 12 months, I will still try that infant potty training thing. Thank you all for your help. =)

Sarah - posted on 04/19/2010

I would agree with the other posters. Not judging you at all, but a child developmentally is not ready to potty train at 12 months. They need to develop the control muscles that help them control their peeing. That usually is around 18 months at the earliest. Boys tend to develop those muscles later than girls, so often times boys are not ready until 2 yrs. You have to allow it to be your child's thing not yours. Walking is much the same. You can encourage them to walk and do things that will help strength their muscles, but you have to allow the child to do it when they are ready. Some kids will walk at 8 months others at 18 months just depends on their personality and how big or small they are. A smaller baby has less weight to have to support so it is easier to stand and walk sooner where as a heavier baby is going to need to develop those muscles more to support him/herself better. Just enjoy your baby....he will grow so fast and potty training will come just may not be by 12 months.

Elizabeth - posted on 04/19/2010

I don't think most babies have the muscle control to be potty trained that young but you could use 'Elimination Communication'. Just google it to find out more.
And people shouldn't judge you anymore than they would a parent who's child was potty trained late. Some kids are ready sooner and some later.

Jodi - posted on 04/19/2010

I'm not trying to judge you, but walking and talking are one thing, potty training is another. At 12 months, the vast majority of children do not have the physical control to hold their bowels OR urine, or to tell you BEFORE they go in their diaper. Most of the time, it's pretty lucky if they tell you after!!! Again, not judging, just warning you of what could be a huge set back.

On a second note, there is a thing called infant potty training, it's something like you hold the child over the potty when you know they're going, you can start as young as you like. There is also potty training in a day, which has worked with much success in my family. You and your child spend the day in the bathroom! Some people choose to be naked...I find that a bit much for me! ANyways, you bring in lots of juice, water and beverages of all kinds, a few games and potty books, bub sees you pee/poo, you help him do the same and by the end of the day, bub knows to use the potty. I don't know if it works for early training though. Good Luck!!!