Potty Training - Hackettstown,NJ

My niece is 20 months old & just started to use the potty. My sister-in-law said what she did was put the potty in the bathroom next to the toilet & when Maddie showed interest, she would put her on it. Another thing I heard is that parents can try sitting the child on the potty about 15 minutes after eating or drinking.

My twins are 18 months old. I don't think my daughter is as advanced as my son just yet. I think my son is definitely ready to start experimenting with the potty because he's interested in my potty. LOL Let me tell you, it's not easy to pee with a child standing on the seat! LOL

Good luck!
A.

All children are different. Although having her trained would be easier for you, you really should consider if she is ready. If she shows signs (and girls do tend to go easier than boys), then by all means start. But, take her cues and if she protests, back off. A few extra months of diapers IS NOT worth years of bathroom issues.

And I think that the best incentive for girls (besides being clean, which they seem to respond to), is PRETTY UNDERWEAR! Who wants to soil pretty, flowered or ruffled underwear! Good luck!

It's too soon to start potty training! She might show interest, and she might even go potty now, but she'll most likely regress again before she really is trained. Wait until she's 2.

I have to disagree with those that are saying wait--18 months is a perfect window for starting. My DD is 20 months and 90% grad. She is clear on when she needs to use the potty, but we have misses in the early mornings when I'm in bed and she can't get her "just in case" pants off :-/ We rarely have misses when out of the house and only only at home when she's ill. Granted DD was first introduced to the potty at 2 weeks and was consistently using it by 6 months, but I know many people who start at or around the 1 and 1/2 year mark. In fact, in most parts of the world, babies who are not already proficient with self-toileting, start potty training the summer of their 2nd year (ie the summer following their 1st birthday), because it's warm enough for them to play outside in minimal clothing and if they soil themselves there's not a huge mess to clean up ;-).

As a PP suggested--strip her down and let her run around naked--she'll be able to connect her eliminations and feelings and you'll start to get a feel for her elimination patterns. Keep a log of "pee times" and once you get a feel for how long she goes between pees, start using a clock/timer.

Put a potty in a visible place--if she signals she needs to use it you can go to the bathroom, but the potty will be a visual reminder for her. Communicate about her feelings when she's peeing & pooping. Keep things positive, if you start getting stressed, do some minimal waterproofing (training pants are good) for furniture protection, but no so much that you don't realize that she's wet.

Great times to make a "catch" in the potty are after naps, before bed, 15-20 minutes after meals and whenever you go (toddlers love to imitate their parents). Choose some times and be consistent. If your daughter starts to signal that she needs to use the potty--take her. Keep a couple of books or toys at the potty and let her play with them while she's there.

Don't fall into the "oh you're wearing a diaper, so it's ok to pee in your pants" trap. This just causes confusion for LOs. If you are in a situation where it's impossible to take your LO to the potty, explain to her that you will take her in X minutes when Y is done and if she can't wait that you understand and will help her get dry as soon as possible. (Here's a real life example from last year: "R the plane is taking off now and we can't get out of our seats. Take off will be about 20 minutes. When the red light goes off then we can use the toilet or get out of your wet pants. Don't worry if you have an accident. Mommy will help you get dry as soon as it's safe to take off our seat belts.")

If you'd like more ideas on a gentle, natural approach to early toilet introduction, look into "elimination communication" For more information see:
http://tribalbaby.org/ECindex.html
http://diaperfreebaby.org/
http://www.white-boucke.com/reviews/latestarters.html

I think this is a great time to start. I think some parents wait too long and miss the opporunity to teach this to their children when they are more willing to learn. Plus, some kids just hate the feel of diapers and WANT to potty train to get out of them. Why not try and see if your daughter is one of them? Just remember that most kids don't go from diapers one day to underwear the next. Potty training is a process. The best thing you can do is not pressure her. Talk about it. Read books about it. Ask her if she wants to go. Let her sit on the little potty (fully clothed if that's all she'll do) when you go. Then let her listen and see what you did when you're done. Tell her when she's a big girl she'll do it that way too.

We started this process with my daughter when she was 16 months because I saw her crouching in the corner of the dining room and when I asked her what she was doing she said "poo-poo". I figured if she knows when she's doing it, she can learn to recognize how it feels before it happens. By 26 months (yes, 10 months later) she was making #2 on the potty all the time and by 29 months she was in panties all day. There were times throughout the 10 months that I thought she had it but regressed. That's part of the process. Just be patient, encouraging and don't make a big deal when she has an accident. Clean it up, let her know that she should tell you next time so she can go on the potty, give her a big hug and start over.

One a related topic, we kept my daughter in pullups at night until she was almost three. I really don't understand the resistence to pull ups. I found they worked just as well and were thinner, lighter (not to mention cheaper!) and more comfortable than diapers. As soon as she was big enough to fit in the smallest size pullup we switched. But anyway, I just refused to convert her crib to a bed. Since she wasn't climbing out I felt better knowing she was safe in her crib but felt bad putting her in underwear knowing she couldn't get up on her own to get to the potty. As soon as we converted the bed we swtiched to panties at night and over the course of the next 6 months she had maybe four "accidents" - mostly caused by drinking too much before bed. She was ready and had been staying dry most nights for a while. Honestly, I would have kept her in the crib even longer if it wasn't for that. Although I should add that at this age the transition to the bed was very smooth. She knew that she was supposed to stay in bed and knew that if she needed anything, except to go to the potty, that she could call me and I'd be there momentarily.

I suggest that you take your time. Talk about it and help her understand the process. Let her know it's up to her. She's going to have accidents. Just relax. She'll get it.

OK, I'm sorry to interrupt this thread since I'm actually interested in the topic but I can't take it anymore that I don't know what these initials you are using mean...like...

DD
PP
LO
DH

etc. I can figure out lots of them like SAHM etc but these have me stumped. Is LO Little One??? Yikes.

THanks, someone just email me privately.

When my daughter was that age everytime I have to use the toilet I would put her on her little toilet. She caught on pretty quick what I was doing and followed my lead. I cut off her drinking about an hour before bedtime to help her get through the night. I don't know about letting your child run around the house naked, I sure wouldn't want to clean up that mess, I guess outside would be ok but then you have to worry about enough sunscreen, bugs getting in places they shouldn't, etc. As far as keeping a diary of when they go, I don't know about your life but mine is too busy to do that. I also wouldn't wake my child during the night to go potty, they need uninterrupted sleep and down the road you could have problems getting her back to sleep. I don't mean to sound like all of the advice you got was bad, everyone does what works for them. It could be that you pick and choose parts of everyones advice. Good luck!

I did that with my oldest daughter and would never do it again that young. We had major problems w/her health wise from training her too early. She would hold her bowel movements & we would end up in the emergency room w/her screaming from the pain she was in because she would end up so blocked up. She's 10 and is still under the care of a pediatric GI - we had to retrain her w/the help of enemas & laxatives - my youngest daughter was around 3 when she took an interest in going potty and we didn't force the issue. I realize that this may not be the case with all children, but you may want to discuss it w/ur ped first. Good luck!

My daughter was 18 months when we started as well and she truly led the way. I think if they are developementally ready to start it is so much easier - nothing can be forced and everyone ends up frustrated. I saw this alot with some friends. I used a reward chart with my daughter. She would get a sticker any time she went on the potty, if she went a bowel movement she got 2 stickers. She loved seeing the chart fill up and actually enjoyed that more than the small "treat" she got when it was filled. Usually this was a small toy or craft item, something she chose ahead of time so she knew what she was working towards. I think by the end of the 2nd chart we didn't need it anymore.
Some friends always asked how did I know she was ready - well, she would always ask to be changed as soon as she had a wet or dirty diaper. In fact she would always grab the clean one and bring it to me. Once you make the choice to potty train don't buy expensive underwear because you will be throwing some out! And don't switch back and forth to diapers or pull ups, so expect accidents. And when accidents do happen just reassure them that it is ok (this one is tough when it happens on your nice clean sofa!) :)

Good luck to you and your daughter.

I have starting training my 19 month old daughter. This simply means I ask her if she would like to sit on the potty and go tinkle just like mommy does? She often says no and we move on. When she does say yes she goes and is very excited about getting to flush and wash hands etc. I don't plan to push her, give rewards or punishments, just work with her and listen to her cues for now. Don't be discouraged by the responses, just do what works for your child and your family. Best wishes.

My advice is to wait until she's telling you she's ready. I realize others feel differently; however, I waited until the day my son turned 2 and it only took 2 weeks to potty train him. He was ready, willing and able. I also didn't have to use any bribs like candy. He just learned with praise. My 2nd son is 21 months and asking to go just like his big brother. I bought the potty and it's there if he wants to use it, but I'm not "training" him yet. When he's really ready he'll let me know or we'll start in a couple of months. Best of luck.

Hi P.. I guess my question is, what signs has your daughter shown that would indicate that she is ready for toilet training? Is she complaining when her diaper is wet or dirty, is she mimicking toileting behaviors, can she take her own pants up and down, has she indicated that she is aware of needing to pee or poop? If she's showing signs, great. If she isn't, just deciding that it's time to train at an early age is not likely to be successful. Just indicating that she has gone in her diaper is not necessarily a sign of readiness by itself at that time - my kids told me after they had gone for a year and a half before being trained.

My suggestion is if you are using disposables, switch to cloth diapers or heavy cloth training pants with waterproof outer layer or plastic pants over them. The cloth really lets them understand what it feels like when they pee - they get very wet. Then they start to recognize what it feels like just before that happens. I'd suggest taking her to the toilet on a regular schedule - every 1.5 hours or so. Don't make her sit for a long time, but eventually she will get the idea that if she doesn't want to be wet, she will wait to pee til she is taken to the toilet. Often, telling you that they need to go is the last step in the process, so don't be discouraged if she goes when you take her, but doesn't tell you when she needs to.

Good luck!

She's still alittle to young to do it, unless she's shown interest. She hasn't developed the knowledge of knowing when she has to go yet. I'd introduce it, but don't push her.
She'll do it when she's ready and if you fight her on it, it will only make it harder for both of you in the long run.

Go for it. I started my kids at 16 months old.. and both were trained by 2!!! I started every day putting them on the regular toilet with a potty seat on top .. I put them on every hour or hour and half for just a minute of two. They usually went.. I cheered.. told them great and gave them 2 m&m's. I never gave them m&m's any other time.. this was the thing they only got for going on the toilet. It worked. My daughter was 2 when she was trained and at night (took longer - was about 2 years and 7 months. My son was also 2 and was 2 years and 3 months trained at night. he didn't drink as much as my daughter. When I stared night training I would go in their rooms right before I went to sleep at about 11.. and pick them up.. though they were still kind of sleeping - put them on the bowl.. and hold them.. they would go... till this day I still hear them get up around 11 or 12 to go to the bathroom.. good luck!!! summer is the easiest time to train since they don't wear as much clothes.. I never used pull up.. went right to undies!!! Yes they had a few accidents.. but very few!! good luck.. the earlier you try - the better...

She's way too young, stop trying you'll just drive yourself crazy. And it's too much pressure on your little one. You really shouldn't start until they're 2, two and a half is actually ideal. At that age they can grasp the concept much better and the process is much shorter and less tramatic for them. Go to www.bootycampmom.com this woman claims she can potty train a kid in a day as long as they are two and half or older. I have several friends who didn't even start until their kids where three. I know you'd love to stop changing and of course buying diapers but you've got a little ways to go still. Please hold off for now. Good luck when you do give it a try.

C. R

Hello,
I know you posted this on jul 02 but heres my advise. I started at 18 months and it was early. It was horrible so I told myself that she will tell me when she is ready. My daughter is now 2 1/2 and is 50% potty trained. One day she said no more diaper she just did not want it on she wanted panties. I decided you know what summer time best time to do it. Yeah she pees in potty all day and nights I still struggle with alot!! I just figured she hasn't figured out that the feeling is there for her to wake up yet. Going number #2 has not been successful but I am trying. My point is she will do it on her own. Just introduce it let her sit on it as fun and you just tell her you go potty like mommy. It worked for me good luck

My advice is:

1) Don't start potty training unless SHE wants to. She is very young to push her to do it now.

2) Don't make a big deal out of accidents. NEVER have her clean them up. Our doctor told us this with our oldest and we didn't listen. It made the accidents more frequent.

3) Find a reward system which again takes me back to I think she is too young. A slightly older child would understand the reward system. I don't think an 18 month old will.

L.

Way too early!!! She's not ready. I worked for 14 years in child care and helped to potty train hundreds of kids and those parents who started too early had so many behavorial problem & regressions with their children if they started to early. start slow, bring her in the bathroom with you, talk about what you are doing, read potty books - but don't put her on a potty just yet - I'd wait until she was two. spend the next few months slowly talking about it but don't push it - if you do, you may pay for it in the future. good luck :)

I have a tip you will probably not like very much: wait. Unless your daughter is way ahead of the pack developmentally, 18 months is simply too early to start. She will not learn until she is ready, probably around 32 months, and you will have a year-long battle on your hands.

Forget the pull-ups! Gerber has a 3-ply cotton underwear that absorbs enough without a giant mess, and reminds the child that he/she is wet. I did this on all of my 3 boys, and worked like a charm on all even my 26 month old. I had to be home for the 1st 3 days. Good Luck!

I suggest that you get a book about it. It is very helpful. I think your daughter must be mature enough to be able to communicate with you. Old days, people potty trained very early because the mess they had to go through (I understand, without disposable diapers!) Also you can get book with DVD for the child and yourself so you get good information and your daughter can have some motivation and fun. (I got "It's potty time" I don't know if they still make same DVD)

Hi there.
I personally do not agree that it is too young to potty train. I have been living in Russia for some time now. When I first came I thought it was ridiculous that they potty trained so early. Although I don't always agree with their methods, I have seen in so many children and my own that it is more than possible to train toddlers. I chose to wait until my boys were around 2...mostly because it fell around the summer months and I didn't have to worry so much about how many clothes they were wearing. My son is 2 1/2 and he is completely trained and even night trained (which I am SHOCKED about). My first was trained around 2 years old but night training with him took a lot longer.

I bought a small potty chair and let them run around the house naked (or if you have a back yard they can go there too) so when they have to pee they can see it, feel it nad learn to sit on the potty at those times. We also used m&m's as a reward system. Usually gave 1 m&m for pee and 2 for poop. :) Besides all the dancing around and partying we did for the treasures in the potty. ha. Anyway, the key is staying at home and not traveling a lot during the process. When they're up and running give them lots to drink.

So if you're up to it now you could try it, but I would NOT push it. Although I'm saying I've seen it be done in my own kids and in others, I am also COMPLETELY AGAINST forcing the issue. I tried with my little guy and he just wasn't getting it so I waited a month and tried again and it just kind of worked. Just don't start stressing about it. If you are stressed the child will definitely feel it and it puts too much pressure on them.

Good luck. Hope this helped some.

just let her run around naked for a few days :)
m&ms are a great potty time treat, although some people will say rewarding for pottying is not the way to do it, i always used them and it worked just fine for me.
also paying a little more for the training pants with the velcro sides is def worth it! you don't have to undress them every time.
put her on the potty every 15 or 30 minutes to reduce accidents!

Who knew there would be so much controversy around this?
If she's showing signs that she's ready, then by all means, why not get started?
My son was fully potty trained by 22 months (with pull ups at night) so it's definitely possible.
For us, my son's interest started when his baby brother arrived. I'm sure it was his way of getting my attention away from the baby (ahh the days of nursing a newborn with one hand, and helping on the potty with the other hand).
When it was clear that he was ready, we took a trip to "the big boy underpants store" (Target). He got to pick out his own underwear which was very exciting for him. When we got home I explained what would happen if there was an accident (thank goodness for hard wood floors) and after 2-3 days he was using the potty most of the time. Daily accidents were pretty common for a couple weeks, but after about 2 weeks I would say we were 90% potty trained (except for the night time pull up - they sleep so heavily at night that I don't think they're capable of waking up to pee).
My thought on sticker/treat charts is that if they're truly ready they shouldn't need them (do they fully understand this concept at 18 months old?) However we did use a sticker chart a couple months after he was fully trained when he went back to daycare because he was having some accidents there (more as a reinforcement).
Anyway, his baby brother is now 20 months old and just starting to show signs of interest - we'll probably wait a month before starting with him just to be sure he's truly ready.
Good luck!

P. S:

I think you ought to wait -- at eighteen months they can barely say the word "pamper." I realize that you probably want to stop having to make all those messy changes, but if you can be a bit patient now, you'll get better resuls down the road. It's probably a good rule for all of us mother's to remember -- have the right expectations of your kids at the right time.

Good luck!

Do not do it now. You will make you and your daughter
nuts. Way too early. Just start talking about it. GL.

In my own opinion, that's too young to start potty training. You may end up really frustrated in the end. I would wait until she's 2 to introduce the potty. That's when they really start exploring their bodies and she will understand the process much better.
Lynsey

My advice is don't...your child will give you cues as to when she is ready...In my opinion, you'll be sorry for forcing the issue.

When she is ready, a simple potty seat and gentle reminders are more than enough.

Also, I've been through this twice...and summer time worked in our favor, as I let them run bare bottomed...it seemed easier for them to remember to use the potty. (And less laundry for me!!)

Best wishes!
J.