Potty Training at 18 Months!?!?!?!?! No Way!!

Why not- My oldest showed great interest in the potty before he was two and the only reason we put it off was I was pregnant, we would let him use the potty though and he did what he was supposed to. Just don't let it frustrate you. If he doesn't really get it, don't stress, if he gets it then seems to lose it, don't stress. The more relaxed you are about it the more he will be willing to go. I mean if you get tense over an accident he may also... Lots of praise and just ask frequently if he needs to use the potty and have him sit in it. If you know when you change diapers frequently have him sit then, when he gets up first thing and then sometime after breakfast.... Also keep him sitting-it is so much easier to train the #2 duties.

If he is waking up dry in the mornings it is a good start for potty training- My first son started waking up dry between 18 months and 2 years--my second son is 30 months and still wakes wets sometimes, but always goes if I set him on the potty in the morning. I also know that in the morning he has a bowel movement and watch him for the signs and then take him to the potty and he will take care of it.

It is a matter of watching the signs if you want to start now. He is young, but can totally handle it if he is showing interest...

Good Luck
L.

THAT'S GREAT! Let the little man pee freely! HA HA!!!! Seriously though, all of my boys self-potty trained like that before they were 2yrs old. The last one is now 2and1/2 and has been in big boy underware since he was 19mths or so. Be thankful since some people have a hard time with potty training boys. My sister's little one was 4yrs old before he was totally trained.

Way to go Mom! You rock!

Take Care,
N. :) SAHM homeschooling 3 boys 12, 7 & 2 yrs old and married to my Mr. Wonderful for almost 15yrs. I love to help moms, who want to become SAHMs, reach their goals.

Absolutely, my daughter potty trained just after two. Think key is getting out of diapers into thicker cotton training pants. You can get these in underwear/baby section at Target.

Hi! Some children show interest in potty training early-especially if they've been around other children who are using the potty, as in your case :)

Here's my advice:
If he says that he wants to go potty, let him go! If he pees or poops, then praise him ("YAY! You did it! WOO HOO!"). If doesn't go, no biggie-just say "Good try-maybe next time" or something of the sorts.

You don't want to push him, but you don't want to discourage him either! The best way to potty train, in my opinion, is to let them go at their own pace-let them show you that they're ready and they're interested. Pushing them to go before they're physically and emotionally ready will only cause them anguish and delay the process...

All in all-whenever he potty trains, whether it's now or later-make it a positive experience for him without pushing him. You may find that he loses interest after awhile and stops going (then starts back up later, when he's older). If he keeps at it, then great!

My children were ready when my child could point to or touch the body part we were naming like "head", "arm", "foot", "mouth" etc. Even if they could not say it they were ready understand potty training. I am an old school mom and the earlier the better.

Boys are harder than girls...

I think it's great, and you should follow his lead. However, he may have setbacks and NOT want to use it at some point. Just follow his lead, and let him tell you what he needs.

I bought a potty for my son when he was about 16 or 17 months, just to get him used to seeing it around for when we decided to start with him. He would set his stuffed animals on it, but wouldn't even sit on it with his clothes on (which I thought would help him become more comfortable with it). He's 22 months old now, and since he's been staying with a babysitter (who has a 15 month-old herself who uses the potty sometimes) a couple times a week, he's really shown an interest and he actually peed in it this morning! I'm not looking for him to completely train any time soon, but it's fun to see them learn something new!

Good luck!

Wow! Peeing on the poty already is amazing! My youngest was similar. She has an older sister, and would follow her into the bathroom every time, and went potty on the potty a few times, she showed lots of signs she was interested. But for myself, I said I wouldn't push it, or make great efforts to train her until she turned 3. (Mainly because I started too early with my oldest...was a nightmare). If she had done it herself prior, I definitely wouldn't have stopped her progress! After my daughter turned 3, we spent 1 day potty training, and she had it down...pooping and all! She was even waking me up during the night to go potty! I was amazed, and to be honest, I would rather go that way then through all I did with the big sis any day. Maybe you could do something like that as well...pick a date that is a bit distanced to plan to potty train...and give him the time between now and then to keep "having fun" with the potty, let his interet grow, get use to it, make his own efforts. Good luck!
K.

Hi C.,
If your little man is wanting to go potty let him, every child is different, my daughter went at 13 t 14 months and my son went at 18 to 19 months, he wanted to be a big boy like his 3 older cousins.

Good Luck and Give him a Hug from Me.

I say go with it. My son was 14mo when he did the same thing. We went with it for a week, still using dipes though. He lost interest in the potty after that, but not the interest in bodily functions. When we did decide to potty train it went super easy. For all the trouble people told me boys were I was dreading it!! But actually it was super easy, fully potty trained, no accidents in less then 1/2 week! We still have night time issues, but I think there's other issues there!

My Daughter same thing... Showed interest early for a week or two and then was done. Until 2 months later. We've been fully PT'd(including nights!!) for over a year and she not yet 3y/o!!!!

I have 3 daughters - now ages 13, 10 & 6 - the first was potty trained by 15 months - the second not until she was almost 3 and the last when she was 2. I always went by if they showed an interest and wanted to then go for it - it is easier that way then if you are forcing them to do it ( like I had to with my middle one).

My son did the same thing, he had just moved up to a new class at day care and some of the other kids were going potty. He couldn't get the words for a while so he would start trying to take our pants off and if we took him right away, he went potty every time. This lasted almost 8 months, where he was almost fully potty trained in the day and in diapers over night. Then 2 teachers at his day care quit and they couldn't always take him to the potty after 2 or 3 times of making him go in his diaper he reverted, so I really think that's why, but don't worry if he goes back to diapers for a while. It was only 3-5 months later that he started again, without prompting from us and then it was like a week and he was 100% done including over night. Good luck, and I think the just being happy for him when he goes and ignoring if he doesn't is the BEST way, then there is no control issue, they're doing it for them. Good luck!!

Sweeeeet! It does happn I know a 2 year old girl that is practically potty trained. And then there's my girl who as all of four by the time she was pee and poop trained. you just never know. My mom swears I was 18 months old. She was letting me run around in the buff because it was summer and we had hard wood floors. I saw/felt the pee run down my leg, went "EWWW" and was trained within the week. You just never know.

But lucky you if it works out! Just don't press him! let it be his idea! That is VERY important!

-S.

It could happen! Don't discourage him, but don't pressure him, either. All three of my girls began training at that age because they were only 2 years apart and I needed one trained before the next one came. Consider yourself blessed.

Go for it! The most important thing is that he is interested. We started our older son at 18-months. It took a long time, but he was potty-trained fully by 2 (he still wore pull-ups at night).

We got him a special potty that made sounds when he peed. We did all kinds of crazy things. We gave him loads of water one day and let him run around w/out pants with the toilet in the room and we'd set him down periodically to pee. We also go inserts for the big toilets so that he wasn't freaked out at other people's homes. They now have travel inserts with characters on it.

It is hard work, but months from now, you'll be happy you did it. If he is interested, that is the BEST thing you could ask for. Take advantage of it now. A word of caution: If you start potty training, don't stop just to restart later. You have to keep on keepin-on. My nephew went through that and he had issues until he was 5.

Good luck!

You can totally do it....really you can potty train even earlier. Our culture basically trains our infants that it's OK to eliminate in their diapers, and then we un-train them to potty train---and the timing of that has been encouraged to be later and later (I think the diaper companies encourage that---more money for them). Other cultures around the world start teaching infants very early.
I started training my middle child when she was less than 1 yr. And by her first birthday she was bowel trained with very few accidents. By a month after her 2nd birthday she was in underwear--day and night, with very few accidents if at all. My third daughter is on the same track, and she is only 19 mons. And if you think it's only for girls, you're mistaken. I have a friend with only boys who's had similar results.
Good luck, and if I were you, I'd encourage the interest. It takes some effort, especially after the newness wears off, but if you can keep him interested (make it FUN!) then you'll be spending less on diapers in no time.
Good luck!

Hi C.,

My son started going in the potty when he was about 17 months, and I thought that he was going to potty train early. I never pushed it with him, but he seemed really eager to go, so we put the potty out and let him go whenever he asked for it. He was pretty consistant for a couple of months until we went on a trip to visit his grandmother in FL. She had a potty for him also, but he seemed less and less interested in going and has since completely stopped going to the potty. I went to a potty training seminar the other day and found out that this is completely normal, but does not signal his readiness to potty train. This behavior is sometimes referred to as the "first window", when the second window comes around (between 2 1/2-3 yrs), they will not be so interested, but their bodies will be more ready to be consistant so that they can be fully trained. In the meantime, I would let your son go in the potty if he wants to. I found it easier to let my son go in there rather than change his diaper, but you may feel differently about it. Either way, enjoy it for what it is, a step in the right direction towards being potty trained.

Good luck,

V.

In my opinion 18 months is the perfect age. My daughter was potty trained at 18 months and it took me about 2 weeks and she rarely ever had an accident. I believe most people wait to long to potty train and then the little ones have a mind of their own and put up a fight. The longer you wait I think the longer it takes.
I started potty training my second child at 18 months and she did a wonderful job as well until that is we went home to Illinois and came home and she lost interest, so I have dropped it and will wait another month to try it again!
I would go for it. Make it exciting and he will stick with it I am sure! Good Luck!

You are not going crazy and I would say if he is showing signs like this he is ready! YAY for you! My youngest started trying at 14 months, so it is not unheard of. I would definitely get him on a routine of going every couple of hours now, so that when he is really getting into it, he will know what to expect, and that he is going to get to go regularly. What we would do at the day care is take them every two hours. At home, I would sit my little ones down with a sippy cup and read them a book (seemed that drinking actually made them go). Have fun with it! We had the pee pee dance that we would do after every success, and the "we will try again in a few minutes hug" after every attempt. Stickers, hand stamps, even fat and sugar free gummy bears worked wonders for every child that I worked with on this. Just thought I would share some ideas with you...

Good Luck!

Hi C.! All three of my boys were almost 4 before they were potty trained. So how surprised was I when my girls trained at 18 months! It can happen and I believe your son is ready. I say go to it!!! How awesome would it be for you to have him trained by 2 years old? Good Luck!!

B. Deck
www.ubah.com/X2733
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I don't know what others are writing, but yes it is possible he is ready. Because he is so young just let him take the lead! Sounds like he knows what he wants to do. Just don't force the issue yet. I wouldn't really try to work hard on getting him completely trained until 2 unless you truly feel he can handle it. I read how to potty train in a day and it had lots of great tips! Both my kids showed interested at this age and we encouraged, but didn't force. They were both fully trained at 2 1/2. Good luck

My little guy started using the potty at about 2 years, pee and poop, but then winter came and he backtracked right away. It was almost like he scared himself. I don't think it hurt to have him experiment. Then he didn't really get trained until later. I think boys generally get it later than girls.

After writing the response above, I read other responses, and maybe it is best not to stop if you start.

My daughter started potty training around that same age. Don't discourage him. C. mother of 2, 16 and 11

Just as in feeding on demand, if your child is ready, he's ready! Put the books away, follow what your childs needs are-no matter what his age is. Some children mature faster than others. I know a child who walked at 9 months old, where my son walked at 15 months. Go figure! Potty training is the same. Some children aren't trained until they are three (I think more the parent's doing than the childs doing)Go for it! No pushing! Make it a goog thing!

yes, I've heard that a child can begin to be potty trained as of 18 months. Good for you!

If he is showing interest encourage it but do not force it. When children see each other progressing they are encouraged to do the same. My oldest daughter was fully potty trained (3) when I had twins, she regressed, so just imagine. At 5 & 2 One of the twins understood her sister was going to the bathroom it was a breeze. My son on the other hand thought he she be rewarded for his sister's potty experience. LOL.

YES!!!! If he is showing interest that's when you showed do it and encourage it. There is no age limit of when you should begin potty training and doctors will tell you, they will let you know when they are ready. It sounds to me like your little one is ready. Go for it!!!! Good Luck.
~K. Martin

you have so many responses so good luck...but my daughter did the same thing at 17 months and I didn't believe it. But yes, she was so into it, within a month or so she was doing it all on the potty just a diaper at night and she was done. I guess she was telling us it was time. Funny, good luck and all I could say is have fun with it.

This is not nuts. Every child is different. When my son turned 1 he received a potty from his Aunt. We took it out and began training the next day. My son was not walking at 12 months so he was a captive audience, so to speak. We talked about the potty, sang songs, played potty games, and read potty books while he sat on and eventually used the potty. He was not speaking in words we could understand at that point so I taught him the sign (American Sign Language) for going to the bathroom. By 14 months, when he began to walk, he was using the potty well. By 18 months he was in cloth underpants (no more pull-ups). By 20 months he could say he needed to use the potty and explain exactly what he wanted to do. He is now 22 months old and is dry even at night, although he wakes up once during the night to go to the bathroom. Even though we put a pull-up on at night (with the hopes he will not wake up) he refuses to go in his pants. Every child is different. If your son is showing readiness, indulge him. As parents we sometimes underestimate our children stifling them inadvertently. Good Luck!

Both of my children (now 6 & 10 years old) began showing real interest in the potty at 18 months and we went with it but without any pressure at all. We had little potties available on every level of the house and also in the car since at that age the time from asking for the potty to going is usually very short. :-) But we treated it more as allowing them to use the potty when they wanted without actively trying to train them at all. Both were very reliable with doing their bowel movements in the potty/toilet almost immediately at 18 months but being reliable with urine took about a year. We chose to leave them in diapers because they were so young. We let they used the toilet we praised them but if they went in their diaper we simply changed it without comment. By 2.5 they were both dry all the time and we switched over to underwear without any issues and without ever going through an active potty training effort...it just evolved naturally. Good luck! T.

No it's not too early, I have friends who's kids were potty trained by 20 months. You are very lucky that he is showing interest so early, my boys were 3 yrs old before they were potty trained. Just work with him because it usually takes a couple months to get it right anyway. Good Luck!!

My daughter is about 17 1/2 months old and has been showing some interest in potty training so I don't think that it's out of the ordinary that your son is showing interest in potty training. My daughter is able to tell us when she has pooped and has become very interested when we use the bathroom. Also a good friend of mine has an 18 month old son who has shown signs of being interested in potty training. He is able to tell his parents when he has wet his diaper and in his own way asks to have it changed immediately. He also will ask to have his diaper changed as soon as he begins to poop. He won't even wait until he is done pooping before asking to be changed. My friend did the same thing as you. She bought a potty and keeps in the bathroom and her son will sit on it before bathtime. I don't think that he has actually used it yet but it seems like it will only be a matter of time.

He is definitely ready to start potty training. My little baby just turned 22 mos and she has been getting used to the potty for a while now. She has been telling us pee pee in potty a lot, even in stores and restaurants, so we take her and she goes. We just recently took a trip to Colorado and that really threw her off, so we are trying to get back on track. She is still wearing pull ups right now and once she starts going pee pee in potty everytime she needs to go then she can wear the other panties. I think that it is great that he is ready, especially because they say boys are harder to potty train.

It's a brave woman who does a puppy and a toddler in the same breathe!! Good for you. You go girl! lol.
I have two girls. One wouldn't train on the pot for nothing! The second was soo different. Being a single mother it never bothered me that she would follow me into the bathroom. (That way I knew what she was doing!) She did have this annoying habit of pulling the toilet paper off the roll. At one, she thought she was helping mommy out. I thought why not get her a pottie and maybe that would take her mind off of the paper and my things on the stand in the room. What an idea that was. If mom was on her pottie she had to sit on hers. One day about a week later she really went peepee in her pottie. She jumped up and did a jig!! Then she ran for the toilet paper and pulled some off to do the "paper work." She was so happy with herself. I was surprised, but her reaction to it was amazing. I thought to myself, "little do you know child, that was an accident!" lol. That afternoon ,before nap time, my one year old followed me into the bathroom and sat on her pottie and went pee!" It did take her about 3-4 months to go #2 in her pottie, but for the most part she was pottie trained!
After spending 5 years changing wet sheets from her older sister (we later found out she had a bladder issue) I thought the Lord was showing some mercy!
It's never too early if you ask me! Children follow example. I never had to bribe her to go pottie or nothing! How wonderful. She just wanted to use the pottie. Wasn't I a lucky mommy?! Oh yes I was.
Best of luck to you.

My oldest decided the day I came home from the hospital with my youngest that she would potty train & she was 15 mos old. I didn't push it & let her lead the way entirely & she stayed dry pretty much all the time until about 20 mos when she decided that it wasn't fun anymore. I allowed her to do her thing since she was absolutely refusing to use the potty & having non stop accidents for about a month and a half with no questions asked. Then I reintroduced the idea & told her how grown up she was & hardly ever had a problem since; she is now 3 1/2. My little man is 29 mos & has been showing potty interest for 8 mos & again I am not pushing him but encouraging. He is successful 2 times/day & in the next month or so I'm going to get more aggressive. Good Luck!

My mom, who was named C., had me potty trained at 6 months. She wore fancy dresses on me with fancy panties and if I dared get them dirty she hit me. She had me on the stage singing when I was 2 and couldn't even get up the steps to the stage by myself. A VERY controlling mother!!!!!! I still suffer from that.

I would NOT recommend her idea of potty training. But I think it's wonderful your son is interested. Mine was almost 2 when he potty trained himself without us doing anything by using the potty on the train going to Disney World. He loved the wiggle potty!!!!
Grandma N.

My 18 month old son is very interested in Potty training too. I have a potty but he wants to sit on it while me and his dad are in the bathroom. Sometimes he will bring me to the bathroom and make me sit with him and he will just talk and I let him. This is fine with me because I believe he is learning by doing this. Let your son try because with the rising cost of pampers this may be a blessing in disguise.

Yes Way!! My son was completely potty trained by his 2nd b-day and we did it without fuss or muss.

My mom bought my son a potty when he was 15-16 months old, my son used it as a stepping stool and then one day when I was using the bathroom, he came in and used his potty. We made such a fuss about it that he always wanted to use the potty (plus whenever he said he had to go we would pick him up and run like crazy). It was a game and it was easy.

So, if your boy wants to use the potty, go for it! It can be easy and fun. Best of all, you'll save money on pampers and you'll help to maintain our environment by not stuffing dirty used pampers in land fills.

Good luck!

And, congratulations on this new milestone.

T.

My daughter is 20 onths adn loves to try to go potty becasue she sees her 3 year old sister go potty. I will encourage it when she motivates it herself, but I do not push becasue it is still early

My 19 month old is doing the same thing and I'm a first time mom too. My LO doesn't know how to dress/undress herself and needs help to get on/off the potty but she wanted to use the potty so I started helping her with it. I won't say she's potty trained but it's kinda cool that she wanted to start using the potty. It is a lot more work than changing a diaper but I'm not going to discourage her from wanting to be a big kid. Sounds like your son is ready to try! If he is telling you that he needs to use the potty, don't ignore it because he may stop verbalizing his needs and not be interested later.

C.,
If he's interested, you should go ahead and let him. Why not??? Potty training is on the child's timeline, not ours, so if he's ready, he's ready.

Best of luck.

He's getting awareness, help him follow thru, if he asks, let him try to go potty. If his muscles don't follow suit, he'll want to stay in diapers. If he wants to try pull-up, underwear or not, let him try when you can address any mishaps easily. If he's in charge, and he rotates between diapers and underpants - it should be no biggie. In one year, you'd follow some regimin (spelling?) so he's not "back and forth" any more. Right now, show some trust that he can figure things out and support him. Have fun!

18-months is not too young, but it does depend on the child. I am potty training my son now, he is 20 months and we started at 18 months. Boys take longer than girls, so be prepared and patient. It seems your child is showing interest, so that's the key. As someone else stated, don't worry about what the books say, follow the interest of your child.

Absolutely! Lucky you that he is so interested and that he is catching on! Good luck!

If he is showing some interest at 18 months, let him do as much or as little as he wants. Don't force him however! It may all click now or he may back off for a couple of months. And that's okay if he changes his mind & backs off.

My 23 month old has shown no interest so I'm just going by her cues.

It's not NUTZ, it's great! My son also showed interest at 18 months. It's more common than you think. I was shocked at first too. If he is interested, go ahead and get started. It's never too early. I started giving my son stickers as a reward so he wanted to go all the time. It took him a little while to realize he couldn't just force the pee to come out whenever he wanted. He caught on quick though. Of course, he still had to wear diapers until he got the hang of going #2 on the potty. Go for it!!!

Hi C.! My now 13-year-old also showed an interest in the potty around that age. At that time we lived with my parents, so he would get his PaPa's racing magazines and every night before bath time he would sit on the potty "reading" a magazine while I drew the bath water and got everything ready. It started out because he had this horrible habit of peeing in the bathtub everytime he got in if the water was still running. From that point forward, every time he said he had to "go" I'd let him sit on the potty. He wasn't actually fully trained until he was well into the 2's though because the day care he was in wouldn't move him up to the 2 year old room because I worked there and the owner had a son 2 months younger and was determined he was going to do everything before anyone else. So he didn't get moved up until the other little boy was going on a regular basis. Silly silly stuff! But he was incredibly easy to train! I was worried because everyone kept telling me that little boys are the worst to potty train. Now that I have started all over I'm hoping my 6 month old will be just as easy! :)

My daughter started at 7 months. She's now 11 months and goes poopoo in the potty all the time and pee pee's sometimes.

I take her after every meal and in the morning when she wakes and before bed.

It seems like she holds her poo just to go on the potty.

Of course every so often there are times she goes in the diaper.

I say go for it! Let him take the lead though, if he wants to sit then let him if he tells you he wants to go then take him. Just remember that showing interest now doesn't seal the deal, and if it works out great if it doesn't, no problem. My son did the same thing about the same age, he even peed in the potty twice in one day all by himself then pooped in. However, the more time passed the less interest he had. It came to a point where we just let it go and tried again later because it was a power struggle at the end. He will be 3 in October and is just now fully day time trained. So don't be discouraged if it doesn't work out. But you can cross your fingers and give it a try. Good Luck, hope it's easy for you!

C. -- that is AWESOME! Go ahead and let your little guy do it by all means!
Here's what happened to me. My oldest daughter started early for everything. At 12 months, she had about 30 words under her belt. At 18 months, she started showing interest in the potty. I asked her pediatrician about potty training, and she told me no way, to forget it -- that she was way too young. So, I did -- when my daughter mentioned "going pee pee in the potty," I would just say "yes, that's your potty" and I didn't follow through. I completely regret not listening to her or my gut because now she is a little over 2, and has completely zero interest in the potty. She doesn't even want to be near it most days.
So, my thoughts are, when they're asking about it, especially after going in their potty -- they're ready and just go for it. Consider yourself blessed, sistah!! :)
Best wishes!

Potty Training at 18 months is not a bad thing. I have 3 children and they are all grown now, all of my children were potty trained by 12 months, 1 year old. I started off by sittin them on the potty after meals, they liked the potty and would want to go use it,of course it takes time and being committed to taking them to the potty at certain times. I have two boys and 1 girl. The girl was potty trained at 10 months, simply becasue I took the time to sat her on the pot often, and watch little signs that would indicate she was ready to use the potty. Of course some would say to me, all that's not good and shouldn't potty train them too early, becasue they will winde up wetting the bed and all of these little silly jestures, but WHY NOT potty train them early?? My children never did wet the bed, I had absolutely no problem being that they were potty training them early. If your child likes to sat on the potty, by all means, go ahead and work with that child. After all, that child is 1 year and 6 months old. It's time to get out of the pampers.

All I can say is if he is into it, go for it! I was potty trained at 18 months, so my mother tells me. So it is possible. If he's ready, let him do it!

I would say if he shows interest and wants to go on the potty, let him, but don't be discouraged if he looses interest after a while. My son was going on the potty all the time before he was two and then wanted nothing to do with it after a while, and then when he was almost three he decided it was time I guess and that was the end of the pullups. My daughter had similar ups and downs although she was completly potty trained by 2 1/2. That is great he is showing interest so early and maybe it will be the real thing but its SO common for them to regress so know that that is totally normal if he does.

Worth a try. I have a friend whose first two children were done at 18 months (day time) and she was frustrated that the night time diaper situation wasn't complete for the second one at 4. Each child is different. See what happens and just remember to be positive regardless of the outcome.

Good luck
Liz

Yes Way!!! When my daughter was 18 months old, she started potty training and was trained before she turned 2. I have read questions previously asked regarding potty training and most of the past responses said to wait until 2 or 3 and sometimes 4. I began to think to myself, my how things have changed!!! When my daughter was young, it was almost unheard of for a child not to be potty trained by the age of 2, no later than 3. Today's responses have shown me that there is still some hope. :-) As long as your child is showing interest, than you continue to train him. Make sure you are not pressuring him because you don't want him to feel like he has done something wrong if he has a accident. Continue to encourage him by showing how excited you are that he is using the potty. Way to go Mom!!! God Bless!!!

If he is showing interest and is doing well with it... Go for it. Back in the old days kids were potty trained a lot earlier. My mom trained us at 14 to 16 months and I started my 2 kids at that age. Getting rid of diapers is a blessing so I would definitely do it.

Dear C.,

My daughter was potty trained at 15 months and sleeping in underwear at night at 18 months. She had a cousin who was 9 months older than her. My mother-in-law kept my daughter and the cousin while mommies were at work. I believe that my daughter trained so early because she wanted to do what her cousin did.

Also - I work in a pre-school. I have worked with babies from 12 months to 36 months old. We have had children who potty trained at early ages (around 18 months). We do not pressure the children. Our rooms have toilets that are child sized and if the child shows an interest in the potty, we ask if they want to sit on the potty. If they indicate "yes" we sit them on the potty. If they indicate "no" we do not sit them. One day, they may say yes and the next day no especially at the beginning of their "potty experiences." The way they show interest is usually by coming to watch other classmates on the potty or grabbing their diaper area and pointing to the potty. Also - we change all wet diapers in the bathroom with the child standing up so the children get used to the sight of the potty. FLUSHING is a reward for when they actually use the potty. If a child is waking up dry after nap, that is one sign that their body is beginning to get ready for "potty" learning. We check with parents to make sure it is okay for their child to begin the potty process with us. This process works best if the child's parents and us at the pre-school are working together and using the same methods. Most children move up from my room (currently I am in a room with 17-24 month olds) to the 2 year old room without being fully potty trained but with some knowledge of the potty process and no fear of "falling in."

I say - go with the cues that your child is giving you. But don't get upset at "back sliding" or accidents and don't rush into pull- ups or underwear.

Good luck!

just follow his lead. it comes and goes but just support him.

Are you kidding? That's awesome! My daughter started using the potty around the same age (she's 2.5 now). She still doesn't always tell us when she needs to go, and we just schedule regular potty breaks, so you are ahead of the curve there. If he's interested and doing it, encourage him and count your blessings!

C.

It is most common for kids to be ready to potty train around age 2 1/2 - 3 years BUT you do get the odd exception who want to much younger. If your son is able to recognise when he wants to pee and asks to go on the potty then let him , if you try to stop him because you think he is to young then your going to make him think he is doing something wrong. If you just let him continue as he is you will probably find that he is potty trained in a very short time period....or it could just be a novelty at the moment and in a week or so he may show no interest in using the potty until he is older.

Good luck

K. H

You could attempt to potty train him and he might do well but he also might have a relapse. Its probably just something he is very interested in and finds amusing. He may not fully grasp the concept. If you do attempt training and he does relapse well then at least hes got an idea of it and when it does come time for him to train, he will already have knowledge of it and it might be helpful.
My son showed interest just before he was 2 but we were getting ready to travel so I didnt train him. Now that we are home from our trip he hasnt said word ONE about it. I may have missed my opportunity, but thats ok. Its never too late to train...well unless of course he gets to kindergarden....lol.

Do not blow him off !! I am from Europe and we train our kids a lot younger than the Americans.I was potty trained by 18 month and a lot of my friends'kids are trained by 2 or 2 1/2.I would say don't force it, but if he shows that much interest, jump on it !think of all the diapers you can save the enviroment from and your wallet!Once you start and he is out of diapers during the day, don't put any on at night either, that was the best advise given to me and it worked, without accidents !good luck

I had a similar situation and my daughter who turned 2 in August has been fully potty trained with very few accidents since she was 20 months. She started using the potty about 18-19 months old. It has been the greatest thing and feel so grateful that it happened so quickly. Just because many people wait longer to train doesn't mean it isn't possible. My mom and aunts told me when we were kids it was the norm to be trained by 2 not the exception. I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself or your child, but I think it is definitely possible! Good luck!

I've actually read that 18 months is a prime developmental time to potty train. I'd say jump on it. He may not be so interested later on, and think of the money you'll save on diapers!

Actually, I would say -- yeah! I have toilet-trained my two daughters when they showed the signs. My 6yo was trained for BMs by 15mos (it was so easy to tell we began training about 12mos) and urine by 18mos. My 4yo, on the other hand, didn't show any readiness signs until 3yrs 7mos of age...but was trained for both urine + BMs in less than 2 weeks! I had tried her ~3 times prior (since her [former] preschool had no diaper changing facilities in beyond the 2yo room + would/could not move her from the "baby" room. Huge difference between the two, but each at her own pace!

My oldest daughter did tha same thing at 18 months. We had the potty in the bathroom just to introduce her to the idea and it took!! She was fully potty trained by 2 years old. My advice is to go with it. If you blow him off now, you may pay for it later!!!!!! I am a believer that when a child shows interest, take it and run with it. I teach preschool and I have seen 4 year olds in pull ups because the parents didn't grab the opportunity while the window was open. At 4 and 5 years old, it becomes a battle and you don't want that. Good luck.

My nephew was completely potty trained before his second birthday. He was very verbal and was just ready. I say, go for it! My daughter started showing interest in the potty at 18 mos and sat on it only before bath time for about 4 months before she became interested in going at other times of the day. She is now nearly 2 and we are thinking about taking the plunge to big girl pants. Every kid has his or her own schedule. While 18 months is young, maybe your child is ready. I have read that early or late potty training is unrelated to doing other things early or late -- so don't get too excited that you might have a genius on your hands. Then again, one never knows!

C. - go for it !! My little guy was doing the same thing at that age but we were getting ready to move. The upheaval didn't calm down for awhile and it took about a year for him to show those signs again. By then he had gotten into his "power struggle toddler behaviors". We looked back and wished we had gotten him before the will fullness set in and taken advantage of his willingness instead. It is a great advantage with boys when the potty thing is THEIR idea - it's much easier. Combined with the fact that his 2 yr old cousin - whom he looks up too - is modeling this for him - what a great thing. Good luck - you'll be out of diapers soon. OH - it's not just up to them. Get a good strategy to help him out so you and your husband and caregivers are on the same page so you don't allow him to backslide because that will take longer. We got a down loadable book at www.thepottytrainer.com Good luck! S.