Potty Training - Crest Hill,IL

both my kids were challenges at about 12 months, but I just gave them something to occupy them when I was changing them and then started potty training at 18 months and my son was completely potty and poopy trained by 22 months and my daughter, well, she took a lot longer.

I started around 12 months with my daughter, though we stopped at 13 and then didn't start again till 15. I put her in trainers at 18mo, and now at 22 we are having a serious regression (had a new baby a month ago). But I am convinced she will be completely trained and done with regression nonsense in the next two months. Now some would tell you that I could have saved myself a lot of headaches by just waiting till she was two, doing a two day boot camp, etc. but all I know is that I am happy I did it early. I cloth diaper, and not having to wash her diapers has been great. In fact, I plan on starting training with my son when he is 6 months and/or able to sit up by himself.

A few things:

1. early potty training depends on timing and getting them to the pot. Kids need reminders until 2.5-3 years of age, as they get so wrapped up in playing that they ignore what their bodies are saying. In fact, my daughter is great about asking to be taken to the potty when we are not home, but when we are home, we have accidents, and I am convinced it's because she is too busy playing.

2. People will think you are crazy and tell you that he is much too young. Don't listen! Just because they need help, this doesn't mean they aren't ready. To me that's like saying they aren't ready for table food until they are over two because they can't use a fork and spoon correctly. There are many skills involved in learning how to use a potty,and the sooner you start teaching, the better, if you ask me.

3. The skills as I see them: (1) recognizing the difference between wet and dry, (2) recognizing the pressure/need to go, and (3) being able to get to the potty in time. With early training, they are dependent on you to get them to the potty, so your role, as I see it, is to teach them about 1 and 2 and not get frustrated until they are able to do 3 without you -- which may not be for over another year.

4. See the books someone else suggested. What worked well for us was the advice to read books and play in the bathroom every day. And model, model, model, and get everyone in your family, especially daddy, to take him with them when they use the bathroom.

5. Make the bathroom fun and don't get emotional. Become robo-mom, and hang in there. Early potty training can be frustrating, but it can also be rewarding if you can keep your cool and just understand that needing your help does not mean they aren't trained or trainable.

The normal age in the US is 2-3. The normal age in Asia is 12 months and africa it is 6 months. Yes, you can start training this young, and yes you can be successful. I think the hardest part is getting support for your endeavors. I started my daughter at 9 months and my son at 2 weeks. my daughter was completely trained by 18 months and my son by 6 months. Yes. Completely trained by 6 months old. There are differences in approach and method though for waiting for a stubborn toddler vs a compliant late infant/early toddler.

The books I would suggest you read are:
Diaper Free before 3 by Jill Lekovic
http://www.amazon.com/Diaper-Free-Before-Healthier-Toilet...
The Diaper Free Baby by Christine Gross-Loh
http://www.amazon.com/Diaper-Free-Before-Healthier-Toilet...

Also, look up Elimination Communication. There is a lot of information and support. Also, you could join the local Diaper Free Baby. Check out http://diaperfreebaby.org/

There are lots of resources out there, but you just need to look a little more.

Feel free to email me for more details.

She is probably not ready yet, but just so you know. This is normal. My son went through that same phase. Try to distract her with a toy or book. It will pass. My son is 17 months old and is now saying poo poo? poo poo? so we have the toilet seat and try to put him on it here and there. So far nothing in the toilet, but ususally he goes shortly after he says it so we are getting close. But really most kids are 2-3 years old when this happens. Good luck.

I started potty training my daughter at 6 months, yes 6 months. She never had a BM in her pants past 10 months, by 14 months she was urine trained, by 16 months is was completely trained at night. It can be done, you just have to be non-threating and consistant. Google elimination communication. I personally know of people who start younger than I did (and I thought they were crazy, LOL!) like at birth and it works for them and their children. Don't let anyone discourage you, if you want to try then do it!! good luck

It's actually quite easy at that age - just keep sitting him on the potty every time you would normally change his diaper. You may not have him produce anything at first, but I have found that within a few weeks they are going when you sit them and then a few months of that and they are holding it until you sit them. I have had one daycare parent who started at 8 mos old and by 12 mos old the child was almost completely dry in between being sat.

When my daughter was 10 mnths, her eczema made it unbearable to wear her diaper. She cried all the time and always managed to take her diaper off. From advice
from her Pediatrician I also took her off the bottle. We set her on her potty in front of the TV with toys and books. She was potty trained and off the bottle
within a week. I know all instances are not the same but it can be done. Good luck!

I used to live oversees and most kids there were trained by 18 months old or earlier. They were surprised that my child wasn't at 16 monnths. I just wanted to share this so that like another poster said, don't let anyone discourage you. It can be done. Basically you have to be "in tune" with your child and know when he is going to go. If you really pay attention to this, it is not all that hard to do.

My daughter is 14 mo. and we are starting this journey as well. I was reading on the Pampers website their tips for starting potty training. And they suggested that you get a potty and put it in your child's play area and just let them explore it, sit on it with their clothes on etc. then you move to them sitting on it without clothes etc. They also had a great article on readiness signs. My daughter has all but 1 so I feel confidant in starting at this point.

the "normal" potty training age is between 2-3 and boys tend to be later. there are many things your child should be able to do- undress themselves, tell you when they go to the bathroom, etc. My sister in law did it too early with my niece and it was even more work for her because she constantly had accidents and is now four and still has to wear an overnight diaper. I saw even with the struggle, it is b etter to wait until you are sure they are ready. My son does the same thing- it helps if I give him options- like, do you want to change your diaper on the changing table or mommy's bed.

I would never discourage you to start trying even at his age, but maybe think about why he doesn't like getting his diaper changed. He may not like the feel of the diaper tabs or the cold feeling of the wipes. He may not like the sensation of leaning backwards or the height of the changing table. It may not be any of these things at all but it was definitely something that I had to consider when I was having a hard time changing my son. Good luck!