Potty Training Issues with Youngest

We are just about in the same boat! I won't use panties, though...just pull-ups. When we are home, I let her run naked or half naked. She tells me when she goes and needs to go, but we do the same thing...sit with no business! Then she gets up and goes on the floor (and herself)! The theory is that children eventually just don't like wetting themselves anymore. I like the method. It worked with my other two. They were able to go with or without me when they were ready since they couldn't undo their own pants, pull-up, whatever. Yes, I have to accept the fact that I end up cleaning up the floor and wiping her down at the very least, but that's life, no big deal. I know it will pass. I don't ever bribe them with anything, though. I know the other two learned and eventually she will, too. She has successfully gone once, so I know she knows how much nicer it is to go in the potty than down her legs!

We used some ideas from "Toilet Train Your Child in Less Than a Day". It wasn't for our oldest, but we plan to try it soon with our next. It had a lot of great ideas. The book claims it is 90% successful with children 20 months or older. Our son potty trained very young, just a bit older than your daughter. He also instigated it. It worked really well for us. GL

At this point she may be feeling the urge to go, but she has not developed the ability to control the starting of it yet. She knows she has to but can't make it happen. She is listening to her body at a young age which is wonderful, but at the same time it means it will take her longer to master the skill. She sees older siblings using the potty so wants to emulate them by doing same, and that is also a good thing as well. If she is telling you she has to go, encourage her and allow her to try. Don't ever tell her she is too young, or not ready yet for the potty.

At the same time since she has not mastered the skill of controlling her bladder yet, if you put her in panties you are going to have to have patience, because you will have messes to clean up. That is a choice you will have to make. for yourself. If you don't want he messes then you will need to switch her to pull ups.

There are tricks you can use to encourage her to start going and control her bladder herself. You can either turn on the faucet when she is going, or you can actually pour warm water down the front of her into the toilet. Once she learns how to release her bladder the first few times on her own it will become easier for her to do so.

First, it is great she has an interest so young! However she is obviously too young to even think about it right now. Do not push her or bribe her. Just give it time. Get her fun pullups, wait until she understands the "urge" pushing it now will cause serious regression down the road. Continue to put her on the potty if she says she has to go as encouragement however don't be disappointed if it turns out not to be anything. Explain to her that you are just waiting a bit for the underwear. Right now she is just wanting to be big like the other kids but that doesn't mean she is ready. If you are truly tired of wet pants then keep her out of underwear for a while and just try again in six months. She is VERY young still.