How Do I Know If My Daughter Is Ready to Start Potty Training?

I noticed with my daughter that she was interested in other people going to the bathroom,i.e. me and my husband. She wanted to sit on the potty. It was things along those lines. If you think that she might be ready try the pull up thing. That didn't work well for us because it still looks like a diaper and feels like one I bet too. We would take her to the potty every hour or so and then one day we put underwear on her and she seemed to take to it. It all depends on your little one. My advice is try it but if she doesn't take to it right away back off. The worst thing you can do is force the issue. And try the reward thing like clapping and telling her good job and stickers and special treats like cookies and then wean them away as she becomes more steady with going to the bathroom. Good luck!

the sooner you start the longer it takes; my advice: wait a year

My youngest, a 17 yr. old daughter, was way behind her 2 bros. in this regard (still wearing pull-ups at 5 1/2)& having raised 3 children, I can honestly say it's up to the child. Clues....kids always want to imitate so it starts with an invitation to be like mom. Bribe her with shopping for "big girl underwear" & tell her when she wants to sit on the potty & go to the bathroom, she can wear them. My pediatrician suggested a treat (candy, whatever) as a reward for using the pot....it only worked with my 2nd child, not my 1st or last. Awareness of what's happening...always stating the obvious..."are you pooping? Let's go do it in the potty." Or, "it feels yucky (after the fact) so next time let's go sit on the potty." Most times, bowel movements are the easy first step because it's obvious when they're moving them. Don't believe the "girls are so much easier statement", don't make yourself crazy about "training" because there is physical AND psychological readyness the child must posses, relax & know that when she starts school, she'll be wearing underwear. Bottom line is that when she's ready, she'll go. A. :-)

k.

Good Morning. I am the mother of a three and a half year old and one on the way. Yea! To me, 18 months seems a bit early but ecery child is different. I think you should continue to encourage your child to sit on the throne but don't push or persuade. I have heard that if you potty train too early they have a tendency to regress, not all the time. My daughter was, and is, extremely stubborn. My husband and I started working with her around age two and it wasn't until she turned three that she just got it. One day she had no interest and the next she was trained. Good luck and do not stress over it, it will come when she is good and ready.

Not sure if she's ready? She is. If she's doing anything that mimicks the actions of doing it then she's interesred. Congradulations! Just let her do it as is, don't do any unneccesary crazy reward or tactics like peeing in blue water to make it green (I've seen urination art and it's not something I'd like to see again) and since some people with boys are reading this *please don't have your kids pee on cheerios in the toilet*. Potty training is a blast. I hope it works this go-round but if it doesn't don't get discouraged she get interested again later.

18 months does sound a little early to me, but some kids are ready by that age, others it could be 2 or 3. Just don't push her till she's really ready, then it usually takes longer because she'll learn to resent the potty.
A couple of questions to ask yourself:
Can she pull up and down her own pants by herself?
Does she usually tell you she needs to go? (could be before, after or while she's doing it)
Does she understand what a potty is for (or does she just think it's a "throne" or a cool place to sit)?
My son is 23 months old and I'm starting to think he is ready, but I want to wait a little to be sure. So I don't push him when he's not ready, then it could take longer.
Also I read a few things where some people think they can potty train during infancy. But in my opinion that's more like training the parent not the kid.
Anyway hope this helps