Potty learning around 18 months? Experiences?

Vermillionsss

We are slowly introducing LO to the potty. We got a fun potty and cute underwear. A few books,too. We are going slow, because I don't want to force it of she's just not ready. That being said, she has given us plenty signs that she is ready. She tries to rip off wet/dirty diapers, she grabs her crotch and let's us known when she is going, and she stays dry for 2-3 hours at a time. Also,she woke up completely dry on Christmas morning, having slept 12+hours. 

 Right now she just sits on the potty, watches me go, and my three year old niece go. I thought about getting a potty doll?

So, I was just curious if anyone else had done it this soon, as I'm getting so much negativity from those around me about it. (not my H though) I know every baby  is different, but I would appreciate some info. What method (or how did you go about it) did you use? How long until you felt they understood, and with few accidents? And anything else you might think would be helpful. TIA!

Rebekah1021

She's too young

moxiemom2010

I totally disagree that she's too young! Our oldest started showing signs of being ready right around 18 months and was totally potty trained a month before he turned two. Kids are all ready at different ages, there isn't one set time that's right for all kids.

One thing we did to give them "feeling" of going was to let him hold of a bowl of special toys floating in warm water while sitting on the toilet. The water helped prompt him to go.

good luck!

tammy79

My DD potty trained herself at 18 months, I had no intention of doing it that early, but she found princess big girl panties that she had to have, and that was the end of wearing diapers for day time and night time. DS #1 took forever, he was 3, DS#2 who is now 19 months, could care less about the potty. I would say not to push it but if she wants to do it why not. 

shouldbworkin

DD probably started all of that around 22 mos old, so I don't think she's too young.  I didn't rush it, but by 26 mos she was completely potty trained.  I had DS show her what to do and that helped things click for her.  I put her in pull ups and more and more she was deciding when she wanted to go.  I probably could have done it earlier, but things were busy.  We did a lot of underwear practicing on days that we were home for a few hours, too.  That seemed to help. 

LenMont

She sounds ready. I wouldn't worry about her age--lots of kids pt early. DS was totally pt'd by 2.

AZ_Erica

DD started right around 18 months all by herself.  We tried a few times around that age but mostly just let her get used to the potty and use it when she wanted.  We started to push he just a tiny bit about a month after she turned 2 and she was potty trained within a few days.  If she is showing interest run with it.

ghm

It's in my experience, a kid who is ready to potty train does it's quickly, not slowly. My kids potty trained within a few days, but went mostly accident free on day one. For us, it was age 2.75, 2.5, and 19 months.

JenniC1135

DS showed interest at 18 months and had the pooping part down within a couple of weeks.  By 21 months, he was pee trained too, but it was over 2 more years before he was night trained.  He did it almost entirely on his own.  I don't think it's too early at all.  Follow their interest and praise them when they get it right and see how it goes.

ilovemygirls

Both of my girls got interested around that age. So we got out a potty, read books, DVD's, etc. & just went at their pace.  My oldest was fully day trained by 2.5 with maybe 2 accidents & my youngest by just after age 2 with a LOT of accidents.  With both of them (esp. my youngest) it was a lot of one step forward, two steps back.  I did do small treat rewards w/them (choc chips, m&m).  Just be aware that even if she's interested now, it doesn't mean she's fully ready & don't push or rush her.

btw, my oldest wasn't dry at night until she was 3.5 & my youngest is 4.5 now & still wet in a pull up most nights.  Nighttime dryness has nothing to do with daytime, and it isn't a 'learning' process, it's maturity/time.  

DandRAgain

My oldest was trained by 19 months.

and my middle was trained by 22 months (we would have done it sooner, but I had #3 when she was 21 months old and I didn't want to have regression or issues, so we waited until after #3 was born and then went for it)

It definately wasn't an overnight process, but they also never fought it.  I think it took maybe a week??? (can't really remember) to do the daytime stuff...and we didn't worry about nighttime stuff until after they turned 2 adn we had lots of dry diapers/pull ups in the morning.

Girls are a LOT easier (in my experience).  #3 (boy) wasn't trained until 2 1/2.  But he resisted when we tried any time before that, so we didn't push it.

Anyways, most here will tell you that its crazy to do it so young...but honestly, its not that bad.  I think most people think a child needs to fully be able to say "Mother, my favorite parental figure, I really need to relieve myself in the restroom right now before I deficate in my undergarments." before they are ready.  If your child can say a few words (so you can teach them the word "potty" or "tinkle" or whatever word you want to use), then you will be fine!