Can someone give me a brief overview? What age do you start? Did you use a small potty or did you just use the toilet? I assume you start with number 1? When do you move to number 2? I also assume that they have to be at least walking right? How do you communicate it's time to use the potty? Do you start teaching number 1 sitting or standing?

A mom in my play group had her son almost potty trained at 18 months. Everyone thought this was quite amazing.

DS is only 12 months and I know it's probably too early to start, I just don't want to miss the window. I guess I just want to start thinking about it.

TIA

By Emily7 on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 09:56 am:

I would just introduce him to the potty chair, set it out where he can get aquainted with it. Have his dad let him watch him go to the bathroom.
I was told boys are harder than girls & I am having a hard time with my little guy.

By Palmbchprincess on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 03:44 pm:

We had potty chairs in the living room for the kids at about 15 months, but it took until about 18 months for them to get interested. Shane has actually been easier than Madison, but only after he learned to pee standing up, since that was "incentive" for him. We taught him to stand on a stool at the big potty, and lean forward with his hands on the back of the toilet, it reduced accidents, since trying to teach him to "aim" led to him pulling it up to watch himself go. At your DS's age, I think just having the potty chair in a room he is in frequently, and letting him practice sitting on it will get him started. As for the mom in your playgroup, most people feel that kids that are potty trained that early aren't really trained, their parents are trained instead. I wouldn't set your goal age that low, my kids will be 3 in June and are day trained, and can recognize the urges, but that really happened in the last 4 months or so. Oh, and when he gets a little older, I strongly recommend Potty Power dvd, we were having trouble re-training Maddie after her broken leg, and it has worked wonders, as well as reinforcing Shane.

By Missmudd on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 05:27 pm:

All my guys were over 3 yo when they potty trained, they started doing #1 sitting and then decided to stand like dad. #2 happened almost the same time as #1.

By Monicamomof3 on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 09:12 pm:

My suggestion is DON'T sweat it! When he is 18 and graduating from highschool you aren't going to say, "Gee, that was a close one; I sure am glad I had him potty trained by such and such age!"

I believe children will let you know when they are ready: pulling off uncomfortable, soiled diapers, going to the same spot to poop or pee, doing the pee pee jig, etc...

My philosophy is: If they are ready to potty train at 3 years old and you start one week before they are ready- it will take them one week. If you start at 2 it will take you a year!

I tried at 18 months to train my daughter. After much frustration, she decided to use the potty at 2 years and 8 months! My SON, on the other hand, was out of diapers at 20 months!

Don't worry- you won't miss the window. (I was afraid of that too.) You will have ample time and opportunity!

Happy mothering!

By Kaye on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 09:17 pm:

It can't hurt to introduce it. In general with boys my doc said if YOU want to train them you really do have to do it by 30 months, or you have to wait until they are ready, often that is closer to 4 with boys.

By Amecmom on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 10:39 pm:

Most of the current potty training advises against starting before the child shows signs of readiness. You may get him trained early by catching a movement, but this isn't really helping him gain control. If you do a search for potty training readiness you'll come up with a whole bunch of articles. I think Babycenter has a good article.
Don't start too soon. The later you start, the quicker the training will be. My son was just about three when he was fully trained and he has had no accidents, and achieved nightime dryness at the same time.
Good luck.
Ame

By Dawnk777 on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 11:18 pm:

Amec, that is pretty much what I did with my kids. It didn't take long, once they were ready!