M.R. asks from Lynnwood, WA on August 23, 2007
Time to Potty Train?
sooo alexis (16 months old) is now in the habit of taking her diaper off. even if we have a onesie on her, she manages to undo the snaps and just rips her diaper off. we always have to have shorts or pants on her, even at bedtime. is it too early to potty train? i was planning to do it when she was closer to 2...cuz i just dont know that shed be able to understand the concept just yet. it doesnt seem to matter if her diaper is wet or not, she takes it off whenever she can.
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C.T. answers from Seattle on August 26, 2007
Hi M.,
I don't think it's too early at all. I started my DD at 6 months because she was on goat milk so I knew when she was having a BM. It sounds like Alexis is ready. It's so much easier to go with them when they're ready than not. I nannied for 15 years and I remember one family in particular the parents weren't ready when they're DD was and she lost interest. When the parents were ready it was a real struggle. She would be doing great for me all day then mom would come home and put a diaper on her and that was the end of that.
The weather is warm enough for her to go around w/o a diaper. I would give it a few days to see how she does with it. She may well be ready. Good luck!
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M.L. answers from Seattle on August 24, 2007
It wouldn't hurt to try... At least she can begin to get used to the concept of the potty and why/ and when she would use it. Then perhaps, she wouldn't need diapers anymore. ;)
M.H. answers from Seattle on August 25, 2007
M., Your baby is ready to potty-train. My little girl started at around the same age;much to my surprise since my sons showed no interest until after 3. Get her a potty chair that attaches to your regular toilet and put her on it as soon as she takes her diaper off. Even if she already peed in her diaper. Just so she can practice. Hope this helps.
C.T. answers from Seattle on August 26, 2007
Hi M.,
I don't think it's too early at all. I started my DD at 6 months because she was on goat milk so I knew when she was having a BM. It sounds like Alexis is ready. It's so much easier to go with them when they're ready than not. I nannied for 15 years and I remember one family in particular the parents weren't ready when they're DD was and she lost interest. When the parents were ready it was a real struggle. She would be doing great for me all day then mom would come home and put a diaper on her and that was the end of that.
The weather is warm enough for her to go around w/o a diaper. I would give it a few days to see how she does with it. She may well be ready. Good luck!
M.O. answers from Seattle on September 02, 2007
well, I think that sometimes the diaper is uncomfortable to them and they want to feel fresh. But I think that she doesn't have to fully understand what potty training is all about for you to introduce it to her. I think the more that they are exposed to training the easier it is when they are actually ready. Of course you shouldn't push her into doing it cuz it will probably take her longer.
good luck
H. answers from Anchorage on September 01, 2007
K.A. answers from Spokane on August 24, 2007
I would say go for it. My daughter started doing the same thing around 12 months. She never liked to have soiled diapers touching her skin from the very beginning. By 18 months she was completly potty trained. We still kept her in pullups at night but not for very long. Hope this helps and good luck with the training.
K.
A.H. answers from Seattle on August 25, 2007
Hello,
You probably could start introducing her to the potty. My daughter is 2 1/2 and I started potty training her when she was about 1 1/2. We did the slow method of just introducing her to the potty and getting her used to the idea. If you start slow and at least see if she's ready. There is also this book called potty training you child in a day. Or something like that. A friend of mine used it with her son and has had pretty good success with it. If you are interested I can find out the name of the author for you. My suggestion is to start introducing the potty and see how it goes. The worst that can happen is she isn't ready and you'll know and that leaves you right where you are at. The best that can happen is in the next couple months you are done changing her diaper. And that is a wonderful feeling. Good Luck.
A.
S.P. answers from Atlanta on August 24, 2007
My daughter also showed "signs" like this. I took it as a signal to start early. It turned into a 2-year-long saga of potty training. Most kids that young, don't know that their bodies are telling them to go potty. Alexis might just want to be naked. It's a kid thing! Maybe she just doesn't like having the diaper on her skin. Maybe try cloth & see if she stops. It's better for her skin & for the environment, anyway. If you truly think she is ready, just be prepared for what could be a longer time training. Or, you could totally be one of the lucky ones & have her trained early & quickly. Either way, GOOD LUCK!!!
:o) ~S.
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