So my oldest was 15 months old when her baby sister was born and has adjusted very well to her new baby sister. She shares with her, protects her, gives her hugs and kisses, wants to hold her, etc. When I was home on maternity leave I was able to start potty training with her, because she seemed interested in the potty. She would tell me after she went in her diaper, so I thought it was a good time. She started using the potty before baths when the water was running. She also liked going potty after she went poopy in her diaper. This success went on up to 6-8 times a day for a few weeks. Then nothing...She is now almost two and does not like the potty at all. If I say, "should we sit on the potty?" she says, "nooooooo" and shakes her head. I've heard that it is normal for children to regress when a sibling is born, but when is it appropriate for her (and us) to start using the potty again?
Thank you all for your posts. We usually let our kids lead and let us know when they are ready for new things. I guess that shouldn't change now. Thanks again!
Instead of asking her if she wants to sit on the potty, try not making it so she doesn't have a choice ... "time to sit on the potty, go potty, etc". Put her on a schedule (when she gets up, before lunch, before/after nap, before dinner, before bath, etc).
l
Just curious - did she start to regress when you went back to work? Could that have something to do with it?
We had the same thing happen (at 18 mo.) with no new baby. I wouldn't worry about it, give her a bit of time then try again. We used treats and buying her some panties to get her back into the habit. It worked great. She was potty trained a little after 2 and never really had many (maybe 3) accidents.
First off, I think u need to relax. She is only TWO! My 1st child was 3, my 2nd is 3 1/2 and has no interest in potty training and my 3rd is 15 months and shows some interest, but I don't push it. We tried too hard with our 1st and it didn't work- she potty-trained herself when we left her alone. Just keep asking her like u do and eventually she'll get the hang of it. I start to stress about my 3 year old and my friend reassures me that "she won't be 18 and in diapers!" LOL
My son went on the potty for the first time on August 21 of last year. At that time, I was in my 7th month being pregnant with #2, I was exstatic! I didn't push it because of the new baby coming along, and we would progress and regress, and many times I would get frustrated. We stopped buying pull ups and put him back in 'baby' diapers and let him lead. If he went, he went. We kept a calendar, more for mom and dad to see and remember. Then, 2 Mondays ago, I prayed "Surprise me, God!" And he was dry (including naps and night!) for 4 days! And he was so upset when he finally had an accident. Now, he's had about an accident a day, but most when he's over stimulated.
Moral of the story, don't push it, but keep it in the forefront of her mind, and it will eventually come. And praise, praise, praise, when she does go. Good luck!
K.,
Congrats on your growing family! Our daughter was 2.5 when the second was born, and almost fully potty trained. She regressed back to diapers for a few months. Give your little girl time. I know she seems big to you, having already used the potty, but she is a little tiny human. She may have regressed without a new sibling, because at 2 they start saying no to everything! Just give her the time she needs to work it out. She'll get there again, because she sounds like a bright little girl.
I say this because as a mother of two, do you really want to jump through all the hoops with the tricks of candy and yellow water?! I bet you have enough to do without adding that to your list.
Enjoy your girls.
I see you have already reported back on this one, and it reflects what I wanted to say.
It sounds like you are very much in step with your little girl. You recognized her cues to use the potty at certain times and understand by her communication where she is right now. I would be careful about using the word "success" with what she did, as though what she is doing now is not, or with the word "regress". The picture I get is that you are walking this path with her and where she is, you are. That is always success. So when she is ready to go again, use that same connectedness to follow her leads. Don't worry if it is a very long time. This is just a teasing thing that our little girls use to help prepare us for the next many years of parenting them. (mostly kidding--hee, hee--but girls can be a real trip!)
My daughters are 15 months apart also. My oldest went back and forth on potty training also for a while. The back peddaling is normal. She is just trying to decided what she wants. She will make up her mind soon enough. When you least expect it, she'll do it on her own. Be patient. If she wants to wear diapers, put her in diapers. If she wants panties on, put them on. Good luck!
