potty train: when and how to begin?

Rose - posted on 03/22/2010

Well....where to start? Let's see....I have always been told that 2 is a good age to start potty training...but my daughter is 17 months old and I am beginning to think that she is ready for potty training soon. I am really hoping it is soon too because diaper changes have turned into wrestling matces with me as well. If he is getting too big for his changing table, change him on the bed or even on the floor if it is clean. I stopped using my daughter's changing table after she was about 8 months old because she started moving too much. I just got rid of the changing table all together because she got too big for it and it took up a lot of space in her room as well. If you need any more advice or help...just ask!!

Katherine - posted on 03/22/2010

I trained both my kids in the summer time.Its hot outside so I would let them go nude.If I was out at friends or parents I would take them to the bathroom every 30 min.Treats also help pp was 3 smarties and#2 was the box or what you feel like the reward should be.By the end of the hot weather they were both trained

Abbie - posted on 03/22/2010

You have to watch for cues if he is ready. I believe 1 cue is that they are waking up dry. Also hiding when they poop is a good one. My son will be 2 next month, and we have had a potty chair around for 5 months.........yep he just likes to take it apart. LOL We set him on the big potty and he pretends to go, he likes to take TP and pretend to wipe, only problem is he is fully dressed. I have heard boys are harder then girls. I don't feel my son is ready yet, so we are not pushing the issue yet. Plus its much easier to potty train where I live in the summer months- not so many clothes to remove.

Bridgette - posted on 03/22/2010

Get the potty. Allow him to play with it and show him how it works. Little boys are easy to me becouse they grab themselves when they have to wet. I have a 13 month old grandson and he is still in pampers and when he has to wet, he grabs himself and when he messes, he goes off by himself. Just pay attention and it will come to you. Have daddy take him to the restroom with him and he will start getting it.

Lisa - posted on 03/22/2010

All boys are different. I have a 2.5 year old boy that just started potty training two mths ago. Are you using pull ups? I made a big deal of big boy diapers! I found it helped with the wrestling matches and changing table.



The small potties didn't work very well for us. I bought the potty inserts and began taking him every hour. The 1/2 hour seem to create frustrations .... just play it by ear. I made a big deal about going and praised him--even if nothing happened. I am not much for bribes...some say it works others don't...as it depends on the child.



#1 seems to be easier for most than #2....



My son is learning to pull clothes off/on so you may need to help until he learns. My suggestion...if you don't think he is ready then wait. If you force it....it could have a back lash approach. Suggestion...have the other males in your family take him with them.....your son will want to be like 'daddy' , "grandpa', "uncle frank" etc..... It wasn't until my son saw other 'big' boys going in the potty that he wanted to go.



Once the baby comes...I hear every child regress' in some area. I wouldn't let that hold you back.



He will regress regardless....it is normal.



Good luck! Let us know how it goes.



LC

Wenona - posted on 03/22/2010

Well the best thing to do is not to press him into potty training, make it a game with a reward. With my son, id get all excited about going to the potty (about every 30 mins or so) Let him pick a potty out as well. and when he went pp or the one that takes the longest #2 id give him M&Ms or another treat, stickers, etc. I took me about 4 1/2 months of constant back and forth. and he was about 18 months old when I started as well. If this helps any..lol Good luck