Potty Training - Charlottesville, VA

Updated on September 16, 2008
K.J. asks from Charlottesville, VA
11 answers

I would like to get ideas on potty training my 20 month old daughter. She was interested about 3 months ago and we got a inner ring for the toliet. She will sit on it and then wants to wipe. I feel that if she goes then she will catch on very quickly, but getting her to actually do something on it is the question. My son who is 7 now potty trained himself in one day. Girls seem to be harder. Any suggestions??

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T.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I would suggest sitting him on the potty according to his BM schedule. If he goes every morning after milk or breakfast, make the first stop after milk or breakfast the pot. I've heard that training boys is tougher than girls. Good luck!

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L.L.

answers from Washington DC on

20 months is a little young. Even tho she was interested,she may not have the necessary muscle control for full potty training. I would wait until she is at least 2 and try again.
Of course any time she is interested let her use her ring but don't expect any consistent behavior until after 2. I had one daughter who practically trained herself at 2 and a son who waited until almost 3. Every child is different.
L. L

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T.B.

answers from Norfolk on

Try turning the water on in the sink while she is sitting for you. This is what I did with my youngest to get her to go. Something about the sound of water running...

Good Luck!

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S.N.

answers from Washington DC on

Just keep practicing, but go at her pace, no pressure. Walmart, Target, etc. carry really cute books on potty training. Those may motivate her. And when she does do something in the potty, celebrate and make a big deal of it. The praising with make her want to keep at it. But remember, no pressure, every child is different and some aren't trained until they're three yrs.

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C.F.

answers from Washington DC on

regardless of if your daughter is too young or not, you asked for advice, so i'm going to give you that, not a lecture :) give her juice or water and set a timer. have her sit on the potty every 30 to 45 minutes, regardless of if she says she has to go or not. eventually you'll probably get the timing right. good luck!

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M.F.

answers from Roanoke on

I have a 20 month son and we have been potty training for the last several weeks because he seemed ready. He has been doing great at it and enjoys it. He does have his accidents. So I say go for it if she is showing interest. My older sister had a son that was ready and she didn't jump on the bandwagon and then he lost interest and was over 4 before she could get him potty trained. It may be a little longer of a process but as long as you make it a positive experience there isn't any harm. We have also kept him in dipaers for naps and at night so we haven't gone all the way just yet. Good luck!

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C.J.

answers from Washington DC on

i asked the same question a while ago: http://www.mamasource.com/request/12545201758097375233
funny how people in different parts of the country have different advice, i was in new mexico at the time. what worked for us was the no pressure potty method. it was available but i didn't want to turn into a toy. i offeres it to her a couple of times a day but didn't make a big deal out of not going. i let her run around naked when i knew i had some time to deal with it and she learned what it felt like to need to pee. i didn't start really trying to 'train' until she was two. actually do check out the question i asked it had good responses. good luck!

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M.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Kristie
I agree with some of the other moms... 20 months is a bit young. The average age for toileting is 3. I have four kids and I trained them all the exact same way. I introduced them to the potty at 18 mos. Sometimes they would sit on it and pretend. Sometimes they preferred to pretend on the actual toilet. Sometimes they'd ask to have their pull-up removed, sometimes not. I always let them lead the way. With mine they've been trained anywhere from age 2 (girl) to age 4 (boy) and in-between. Just keep letting her sit and "pretend", eventually something will actually go in (er...come out? :D ). And praise her for trying.

Good luck.
M.

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L.A.

answers from Richmond on

20 months is NOT too young for some children!! My oldest showed interest at a very young age (18 months), and I kept hearing that she was too young from everybody, including her pediatrician, to wait. So, I waited, and I regret it now. Now at a little over 2 years old, the interest is almost gone. I'm having to rebuild the interest a little at a time. Sieze the moment, but make it totally fun and no pressure. Let her sit on her potty and wipe. She's learning!!
When cloth diapers were around, children were potty trained at a much younger age. If your instincts are telling you to go for it -- go for it!

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R.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I agree with the moms who said 20 months is a bit young. Just because she's shows interest does not mean she's physically ready. Kids like to walk around in adults' shoes at that age, but they're not ready to wear them yet. My daughters were 35 and 31 months when they potty trained and it was really easy with them. I suggest you wait a while yet.

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B.E.

answers from Washington DC on

Kristie,

20 Months is very young for many children. Even if she was showing some signs if being ready, she may need more time to fully understand what she needs to do. Also, she just may not physically be ready. I have had a number of friends who started potty training around 18 months and most of them faced an uphill battle and wish they had taken a break and waited a bit longer. Sounds like she just needs a bit more time!

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