Has anyone tried to potty train a 6 MONTH old?

Melissa - posted on 05/29/2011

It is definitely possible and you are still in the optimal age to start.


EC is not about wanting to make your child grow up too fast, it is not even about potty training, it is about providing an alternative to eliminating in a potty or toilet instead of making them soil themselves and then changing them at the parents discretion. What do you think parents do in places that do not have diapers, or even a few short years ago when diapers were not even made big enough past a year?

Babies know when they need to go at birth, they have the ability to use the muscle but if they are taught to ignore the feeling then they lose that ability and then you have to retrain them later on.

My first was in diapers... I didn't mind changing diapers but was happy when I didn't need to anymore, but it took a lot of patience and messes to get him out of them. I have ECed 3 kids from birth and not dealing with diapers is not only so much easier but so much cleaner. No diaper rashes, no blow outs, no dirty clothes and no having to train them out of diapers later on.

Elise - posted on 12/04/2009

Best of luck to you! I have not, and this being my first child, I kinda want her to be my baby for as long as she can and grow up on her own time. I agree with a few, it is difficult because they can not talk let alone understand the concept of potty training. I dont know if it is possible.. but I am sure anything is possible!

Jessica - posted on 12/03/2009

I think that every child is different and if you are willing to commit then it will happen. I started potty trainning haley at 15 months and for 3 days all i did was work with her watch her and kept encorging her. 3 days is all it took no problems after that. It is all about repititon

Dawn - posted on 12/03/2009

6 months...too young! they do nto kno what they are doing yet. good luck!

Deepa - posted on 12/03/2009

I tried potty training for my son at around 6-8 mns. I think i started out too early so he actually ended getting trained only around 3 yrs. With my daughter , i waited till she was 1 yr. Since i started after she was a yr old she got the hang of it much better and was fully trained between 18 - 24 mns. I would wait a while on the 6 mn old.

C. - posted on 12/03/2009

Quoting Sara:

Quoting Christina:

When their child is ready, that's when they will potty train them. Until then, I think you are trying to make your child grow up a whole heck of a lot faster than they need to. Let a baby be a baby for Heaven's sake! Babies use diapers!

Christina, I think you misunderstand the philosophy of Infant Potty Training, a.k.a. elimination communication. (See DiaperFreeBaby.org before you knock it). EC is not really about potty training. It's a gentle and very gradual communication process between baby and caregivers. It's like breastfeeding - gently responding to babies' needs. And, it doesn't imply that baby necessarily goes without diapers.

That wasn't my point. If you want to do the EC thing, that's your business. 6 Month old babies are just learning to sit up straight and standing up closely follows. Like I said before, it sounds a lot like people are trying to make their babies grow up faster than they need to. You say it's not necessarily about potty training, that it's more about the "gentle and very gradual communication process between baby and caregivers".. The way I see it is there are other ways to have that gentle and gradual communication between the baby and caregiver w/o them trying to get the baby to grow up faster than they are. If you wanted a potty trained child instead of dealing with diapers, you should have adopted a 2 year old. That's just the way I feel about it. No need to respond to this post.

Sara - posted on 12/03/2009

Quoting Christina:

When their child is ready, that's when they will potty train them. Until then, I think you are trying to make your child grow up a whole heck of a lot faster than they need to. Let a baby be a baby for Heaven's sake! Babies use diapers!

Christina, I think you misunderstand the philosophy of Infant Potty Training, a.k.a. elimination communication. (See DiaperFreeBaby.org before you knock it). EC is not really about potty training. It's a gentle and very gradual communication process between baby and caregivers. It's like breastfeeding - gently responding to babies' needs. And, it doesn't imply that baby necessarily goes without diapers.

C. - posted on 12/02/2009

Quoting Jaylene:

Sara - Good for Us - I think we are on the same page with this subject! You don't train your child at 8 mths to a year to be potty trained, you train yourself to learn your childs cues. Of course a child that age won't get up from playing and walk down the hall and put him or herself on the toilet and open up a book and crap then wipe and flush. Seriously people - you all sound so ridiculous! When you teach a child to use a toilet vs a soiled diaper you teach them cleanliness. You also prevent urinary tract infections as well as save some money on diapers. At age 1 you may only be able to have them day time trained - but wouldn't that be nice? How would you like to walk around with a diaper full. Even for 5 minutes it would be gross! How about in the middle of shopping and Mommy forgot the diaper bag! Nice! My Daughter is 1 year old and she has been using the toilet since 8 months. I hardly change a poopy diaper! It's lovely for both of us and she is so proud of herself, because she does it and because she loves the reaction I give her when she does! They are people pleasers at this age! This is the best thing I ever did for her! For all you ladies out there that are waiting till your baby is 2+ years old - good luck with that. Let's just hope your child doesn't develop a toilet phobia. I hope you don't think that toilet training during the terrible 2's is easier - it's way harder! Just a thought!

Try not ridiculous. Anyone who attempts potty training at 6 months when their child isn't even to the age where they understand what going potty means, THAT'S ridiculous. And about the UTIs, as long as you keep them clean (ie: changing them when they go instead of leaving them in the wet diaper for a while), you really shouldn't have a problem with preventing them. Also, if you are a mother and went shopping and didn't bring the diaper bag, that's on you. You should KNOW to ALWAYS bring the diaper bag when your baby is still in diapers b/c anything can happen. That's just common sense. And if you can't run to the car to go get it, go buy a small pack of diapers and a small pack of wipes and chock it up to a learning experience, meaning don't forget the diaper bag again!

Also, there is no need to get catty:

"For all you ladies out there that are waiting till your baby is 2+ years old - good luck with that. Let's just hope your child doesn't develop a toilet phobia. I hope you don't think that toilet training during the terrible 2's is easier - it's way harder! Just a thought!"

When their child is ready, that's when they will potty train them. Until then, I think you are trying to make your child grow up a whole heck of a lot faster than they need to. Let a baby be a baby for Heaven's sake! Babies use diapers!

C. - posted on 12/02/2009

You must be joking! A 6 month old doesn't even understand what going potty means!!!

Michelle - posted on 12/02/2009

i have 4 kids x at 6 months i really think thats daft the reason being most children are new to sitting up still x still topple while on flat ground also many are not mobile ,so even if u tried x could whats the point ur baby still isn't able to ask for it or move across to a potty let alone sit itself on it, if u want a toddler not a baby maybe u should of adopted instead?? babies are only babies for a short time enjoy while u can x maybe take baby signing lessons instead at least its age realistic,

Tina - posted on 12/02/2009

I started at 18 months..and here I am at 3.5yrs old and yup..still will not 100%..he stays dry in the day ,but will not poop on the toilet! I think I am trying too hard, he knows what to do, just does not want to. 6 months...way too young...good luck!!

Greta - posted on 11/30/2009

You might like to look up information about Elimination Communication. Like many others have said, 6 month olds are too young to get themselves to the potty, so it tends to be more work for the mother to potty train that young-- you need to constantly be on the look out for your child's "potty ques." I had a friend start to potty train when her daughter was only a few months old, but she did give it up for a time because it got to be too much work. Good Luck!

Asia - posted on 11/29/2009

my son is six months and im trying to start training him. i know it can be dne because my brother in law was younger than that wen he was started potty training, (he was allergic to his own urine) so yes it cAN BE DONE AND IM TRYING AS WELL SO DONT FEEL AKONE. MY FIRST STEP IS TO TAKE HIM INTO THE RR WEN I GO.

Tajuana - posted on 11/29/2009

My daughter now 17yrs.,I started he at 6mo by 13mo. she was well potty trained. That really depends on the child, your patients and your time. My son thats another story he was 2yrs old.

Sara - posted on 11/29/2009

I don't think Heidi is asking about conventional potty training when she refers to her 6 month old. See DiaperFreeBaby.org. I did Infant Potty Training with my 3 kids. It's in the realm of attachment parenting, breastfeeding, cosleeping, etc. Loving and responsive. I wouldn't do it any other way.

Suzan - posted on 11/29/2009

Children are not developmentally ready to learn to use the potty at that age. They are still developing verbal and motor skills that must happen first. Take your time. I know diapers are inexpensive and inconvenient, but you don't want to delay the process by starting too early.

Donna - posted on 11/29/2009

I think 6mths is far too young, sorry to be blunt but i do. I have 3 children and think between 2-3 is more than exceptable. I always try to get them out of nappies by the time they start play school which is normally 2 and half. Good luck if you try !!!!

Tricia - posted on 11/29/2009

unless ur child can walk to a toilet n pull its pants down, hop on the seat etc thn no u cnt potty train a 6month old...u ddnt actualli think about this b4 u askt the question dd u

Becky - posted on 11/29/2009

My daughter was potty train at 12 months and she was easy, now my son wasn't potty trained until he was 18 months. I do agree with Kim Stanyer, the child should be able to talk also. I now have a grandchild and she was hard to potty train, she was about 4 when she wanted to be potty trained.

Maria - posted on 11/28/2009

I think it's great that you want to start potty training your child early. I think the first step is to try to always keep babies in dry diapers, so that being wet or soiled bothers them. Then by the time they can sit up (mine was closer to 8 months), I start putting them on the potty every hour or so for a few minutes while I read them a book or sing a song. When they happen to do something in the potty, I praise them, and possibly give them a little treat. After a while of this, they get the point that if they do something on the potty, it's good. Don't punish them or get mad when they don't go, especially when they are still so young. And don't despair if it takes a while. They say it takes 3-6 months to potty train a child. I agree. Just think 6 months and have patience. But your child WILL get it, and I believe they can learn to control their pee and whatnot. I think that it's great that you want to be proactive and teach your child new things! Good for you!

Angelina - posted on 11/27/2009

your baby has to be able to TELL you that s/he needs to go potty. there are too many reasons NOT to attempt potty training at 6 months ... the fact that your baby can't tell you when it's time to go to the potty should tell you that there is no way your attempts will prove successful.



try in about a year ...

Jaylene - posted on 11/26/2009

Sara - Good for Us - I think we are on the same page with this subject! You don't train your child at 8 mths to a year to be potty trained, you train yourself to learn your childs cues. Of course a child that age won't get up from playing and walk down the hall and put him or herself on the toilet and open up a book and crap then wipe and flush. Seriously people - you all sound so ridiculous! When you teach a child to use a toilet vs a soiled diaper you teach them cleanliness. You also prevent urinary tract infections as well as save some money on diapers. At age 1 you may only be able to have them day time trained - but wouldn't that be nice? How would you like to walk around with a diaper full. Even for 5 minutes it would be gross! How about in the middle of shopping and Mommy forgot the diaper bag! Nice! My Daughter is 1 year old and she has been using the toilet since 8 months. I hardly change a poopy diaper! It's lovely for both of us and she is so proud of herself, because she does it and because she loves the reaction I give her when she does! They are people pleasers at this age! This is the best thing I ever did for her! For all you ladies out there that are waiting till your baby is 2+ years old - good luck with that. Let's just hope your child doesn't develop a toilet phobia. I hope you don't think that toilet training during the terrible 2's is easier - it's way harder! Just a thought!

Kelsey - posted on 11/26/2009

omg i hope for your childs sake ur not serious.... sorry but what a ridiculous question. children under 1yr are no way near having the understanding and capabilities to uderstand and follow through with toileting

Sara - posted on 11/26/2009

Quoting Danielle:

. . . It's actually pretty common when you live in the real world with people who do not have time to rush to the potty fifty times a day trying to predict when their infant is about to use it and clean up the accidents when they miss the cues.

Babies don't actually eliminate 50 times a day. More like 6 to 8, right? I didn't mind 6 to 8 times a day helping my babies not soil themselves.

Rachel - posted on 11/26/2009

It is possible. It's called EC, Elimination Communication. I have contact in my Facebook list (Emma Kwasnica) that is doing it now with her newborn. The baby has NEVER worn a nappy/diaper not even at night. They have had only a few accidents where they missed the cues. It is true though you need to know the cues your baby makes so you can get them there in time. So yes you need to watch your baby a lot to know the signs. This is quite common in eastern countries, it's actually the norm for babies not to wear nappies. Check out the link below...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination...

Rachel - posted on 11/26/2009

It is possible. It's called EC, Elimination Communication. I have contact in my Facebook list (Emma Kwasnica) that is doing it now with her newborn. The baby has NEVER worn a nappy/diaper not even at night. They have had only a few accidents where they missed the cues. It is true though you need to know the cues your baby makes so you can get them there in time. So yes you need to watch your baby a lot to know the signs. This is quite common in eastern countries, it's actually the norm for babies not to wear nappies. Check out the link below...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination...

Christina - posted on 11/26/2009

That is just rediciulously too early!!! Any health visitor will tell you the same too as they tell you to leave them until alot older than that before you think of potty training. In my experience of being a mother if you try to do things like that before they are physically or emotionally ready they turn a term for the worse and go backwords in what you have tried to teacth them.

Linda - posted on 11/25/2009

I don't think you can really potty train a child that young. They still don't understand their bodily functions. However, when my son was young he was very smart for his age and at 8 months I would sit him on a potty chair for a minute or two each day several times a day. He didn't become potty trained that soon so to speak, but he became familiar with the potty and sitting on it and was potty trained by the time he was 18 months old. I used same method with my daughter and she was two when she was what I considered potty trained. Some children are even three before they are trained. Each child is so individual. So don't get hopes up about potty training, but introducting them to the potty isn't a bad idea. Just don't leave them on their a long time. Take them to the bathroom with you and let them sit on theirs while you sit on yours.

Brandi - posted on 11/25/2009

i suppose there is a possibility but it's much easier to wait until they are walking and aware of their bodies more. Personally theres no way in **** i'd try to train a 6 month old, i think it would be more hassle than it's worth

Susan - posted on 11/25/2009

Let the baby be a baby. If you wanted a potty trained baby you could of gotten one. Sorry don't mean to be negative but we have children to love and nourish not to just potty train.

Margaret - posted on 11/25/2009

i am an older mother and when mine were little i potty trained them from day 1 my daughter was dry by 9 months old but you do have to persist

Deleted - posted on 11/25/2009

Sticking your baby's butt over the toilet when they are about to go is not potty training. You are just letting them poop or pee in one spot rather than another. Potty training is when they learn that they have to go and how to control it and you teach them where to put it. Additionally, letting your baby go in a diaper is not "ignoring their needs." It's actually pretty common when you live in the real world with people who do not have time to rush to the potty fifty times a day trying to predict when their infant is about to use it and clean up the accidents when they miss the cues. That is great if you enjoy do this, but the ability to understand and control their movements and get to the toilet is not something they are born with, it is developed, and for most kids, not at six months. I've seen much older kids who still have trouble catching cues and controlling it when they recognize the cues.

Sarah - posted on 11/25/2009

You have got to be kidding right, at that age they can't even walk . How are they suppose to get themselves to the toilet lol?

Preya - posted on 11/25/2009

Well I have introduced it to my son, so that he can get use to doing it!! It has not really bin successful nor has it fail either. I think you should just get him into the habbit of using it.

Sara - posted on 11/25/2009

Quoting Sabrina:

Look up Elimination Communication, I'm hoping to start this with my 7 month old if I haven't missed the window of opertunity yet.

Good Luck!

I started my first daughter at 8 months and she and I were both very pleased with the process. My 2nd daughter went diaper free from birth. I wouldn't do it any other way. It's such a nice addition to respectful, responsible, loving care. My advice is to remain relaxed and easy going about it. Don't expect your baby to clearly signal all the time and don't worry about missing signals. Just be loving and aware and enjoy life together. Think of EC as a very gradual, very gentle potty learning.

Sara - posted on 11/25/2009

The philosophy is similar to that of breastfeeding on cue. It's responding to the baby's need to eliminate in a comfortable and hygienic manner, on cue. I've responded to the cues of 3 children. They do communicate their needs via faces, squirms, vocalizations, etc. This is not about training the baby to do something. It's about responsibility and communication and meeting the baby's needs rather than ignoring them. Check out DiaperFreeBaby.org for fact-based information and lots of people's personal experience with respectful, loving assistance to babies. It's not a new idea, either. Babies have been reared without diapers for eons.

Deleted - posted on 11/25/2009

If it works for you, great, but just be careful about telling people it is possible. I have never seen or heard of it, but I have personally had to deal with many cases of abuse working for the state because people thought their kid should be able to use the potty and weren't and would do horrible things like put their butt in boiling water when they had an accident, beat them, or whatever when they had accidents. I have studied child development for years and babies are not developmentally ready for that until they are an average of 18-24 months, but if your baby does it, that is great, but I definitely would not expect it or encourage others to expect it. And just be aware that you could also stress your baby out and give them an aversion to using the potty if you try to do it too early and they are not ready. Good luck.

Kiana - posted on 11/25/2009

6 months is young. 1 years old I think is best and worked out good. But good luck with trying. Can the baby even walk at 6 months

Tracy - posted on 11/25/2009

Are u for real.......how are u gona potty train a 6 month old when they have no sense when they have to go some babies cant even sit up by themself u need to read a few parenting books

Shannon - posted on 11/25/2009

Sorry to play the professional card, but as a

mother of 3 and an early childhood/ child development professional 6 mo is too young. Just because people have been able to do it, doesn't mean it should be

done. Most who have said they started early claim their children to be fully trained from a year to two yrs later. Why put you and your child through that? Others have stated that mothers from third world countries have been able to do it. We are not third world and those children and mothers have no choice. We do. Your child should have a choice about this as it is his/her body. It can actually be fun and quite easy if you wait for signs of readiness. Then shop for their favorite underwear. Success!

Jemma - posted on 11/25/2009

I dont think you should potty train a 6 month old i think you should let your baby be a baby for as long as you can as they grow up fast!!!

Cheryl - posted on 11/25/2009

I work with a girl who grew up in Russia and people start to potty training their children around that age. it definitely CAN work-look at his/her patterns. they usually go around the same times-just started putting him/her on the potty around those times and see what happens!

Lainie - posted on 11/25/2009

just enjoy your baby being a baby it goes by so quickly!!!

Sabrina - posted on 11/25/2009

Look up Elimination Communication, I'm hoping to start this with my 7 month old if I haven't missed the window of opertunity yet.



Good Luck!

Rene' - posted on 11/25/2009

Six month olds bodies are not ready for pitty training. They're bladder is not developed enough, the muscles need to grow more for them to be able to hold their urine. I'd give it another year then try.

Jane - posted on 11/25/2009

Are you kidding? My daughter couldn't sit when she was 6 months old!



From what I've heard, a choild's nervous system (or something to that effect) can't handle being potty trained.



I understand that I was "potty trqained" by the time I was 16 mnths old. That's because my mom was expecting my brother, and she refused to have two in diapers.



Although I was't trained, my mom and grandmother were! Thewy just automatically put me o the potty chair when they figured I had to go.

Elisanne - posted on 11/25/2009

6 month old potty trained....it is a bit to early. Was this question really for real?

Brittany - posted on 11/25/2009

Yes, I started putting my baby girl on the potty at 6 months whenever she would have to take a boo boo and now shes almost one, in two days and she loves to go to the bathroom, but she cant even walk yet, I think the earlier you start the better you are with them catching on to it and sticking with it!! Good Luck!!

Sara - posted on 11/25/2009

Yes! I did what we called EC (elimination communication) with all three of my babies. I can tell you that they definitely have more awareness of their needs than people in Western culture typically think. Just think: babies don't wear diapers in some cultures. Check out DiaperFreeBaby.org for more info. Also, the books Diaper Free! by Ingrid Bauer and Infant Potty Training by Laurie Boucke.

Jaylene - posted on 11/24/2009

I read somewhere to put them on the toilet when they can sit with assistance from a parent(around 8 months) first thing in the morning, before and after naps and meals, and before and after baths. I tried this with my baby and it works. She is 1 year now and it's rare that I change a soiled diaper. When she started to look like she is 'bearing down' I pick her up and put her on the toilet. If you catch them starting to go - pick them up and get moving because they can't poop and be moving at the same time. At this age they just want to make Mom happy. We always made it like she won the lottery when she pooped or peed in the toilet. When she doesn't do anything we just take her off and don't say anything, just carry on with our day. When we would put her on we would read story books, have a toy or sing and clap to distract her from jumping off. After about 10 min or less if she hasn't done anything we would try again later. I don't think you'll be able to fully train them at this age but you will definitely be setting yourself up for an easier time when it's time to get serious about it. At least they will know what to do and not freak out and be scared to be flushed down.