J.S. asks from Quincy, MA on November 21, 2008
How Do You Even Start Potty Training?
I have a beautiful little girl who appears very interested in "pee"and "poop" and will announce when she's going (by saying pee or poop) and will even kind of squat while she says it. I think she's ready to train but she's really young. 15 months. Any advice for potty training in general? Potty training at a young age? Suggested books to read on this? I know there are those who feel you can't train until they are 3 years old but I'd love to hear form those who had little girls like mine. My Mom watches her two weeks/month & a neighbor of similar age as my Mom watches her the other two weeks - they both believe she is ready to train. thanks
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E.O. answers from Burlington on November 22, 2008
By all means, you can start now if you want. But don't expect much. My daughter was qutie similar, at a year and a half. However, she did not get toilet trained, really, until just before she had to do so to get into preschool, at age 3. For months, I know she knew what to do, but she just wasn't able to control it. Even now, she has frequent accidents. . . mostly notably, yesterday in the front closet!!
So, introduce the concept, but gently and with low expectations. . . !good luck!!
M.M. answers from Boston on November 22, 2008
Hello! 15 months is generally young but she seems interested, try it! It may take a few tries, however. My son was kind of interested in the potty at around 18 months but didn't "get it" until almost 4. (Boys!) Rent the potty movie and maybe pick out a potty with her. Good luck!!
M.
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C.L. answers from Hartford on November 22, 2008
She's is already giving you the signs she's ready to go on the potty. If you don't aready have one get one of those potty seats that you can put on top of the potty. Also get her big girl underpants and keep her in them all the time she's anywhere where you'll have quick access to a toilet. She'll have accidents now and then but that's the nature of the beast. Don't miss this opportunity. Girls train quicker than boys.
G.A. answers from Boston on November 22, 2008
Naked, naked, naked...LOL, i potty traned both my kids by letting them basically walk about the house naked from the bottom down, winter can be difficult i suppose, but when they have no diaper on, I find they feel free to pop a squat when ever they may feel the urge, and another important thing that worked for me is putting a potty in the living room, or playroom..where ever you are at the time, i found it more difficult to lead them all the way to the bathroom when they had to go. GOOD LUCK!! and don't worry if they get it and then regress, it happens often, they will still potty train when they are fully ready :0)
P.R. answers from Boston on November 24, 2008
If your child is showing signs that she is ready to potty train, by all means, let her. My daughter was trained at 20 months. I noticed that she was ready when she would wake up dry in the morning and from naps. So first thing in the morning I would put her on the potty, then before and after naps and before she went to bed. I did that for a couple of weeks until she got used to sitting on the potty. Then one day I just put big girl underwear on her. She had one accident but didn't like the feeling of being wet, so I told her she had to go on the potty and she wouldn't be wet. So she did and that was the end of that. Training her for "number 2" was even easier. My daughter would hide when she had to poop, so whenever she would go to hide, I would pick her up and put her on the potty instead. I now have a 16 month old little boy and I don't think he is going to be quite as easy to train!!!
S.C. answers from Providence on November 23, 2008
well i told my daughter she was making me a picture( a butterfly)i sat her on the potty while i was on the toilet and we played a game who could make a picture first i know it sounds stupid, but it worked.
M.M. answers from Boston on November 22, 2008
Hello! 15 months is generally young but she seems interested, try it! It may take a few tries, however. My son was kind of interested in the potty at around 18 months but didn't "get it" until almost 4. (Boys!) Rent the potty movie and maybe pick out a potty with her. Good luck!!
M.
C.H. answers from Boston on November 22, 2008
both my girls did this around 15 and 18 months. i got pull ups and panties and tried it out, but it soon passed, and they stuck with diapers till 2 1/2-ish. im potty training #2...ugh so much fun! good luck
R.S. answers from New London on November 22, 2008
Hi - I am kind of in the same boat, my son is 16 mths and doing the same thing. We bought him a potty which he loves and will sit on briefly...but I worried that it is too early. If you get any good tips will you please pass along? Thanks so much!!
C.O. answers from Providence on November 22, 2008
Hello J.,
Consider yourself lucky. Every child develops their motor skills, verbal, etc. at different stages. I'd say take advantage of this chance and listen to your child cues if she wants to learn more about the potty. We started going to the library and picking out kids videos and books on the subject. Both my kids loved to watch and read them, but didn't quiet want to sit on the potty until about 6 months later. I felt it was quiet a long process but we didn't really push them. However, I learned that when they are mentally ready for it, they make the transition almost on their own. Good luck with it.
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