potty training 13 month old?

TayLeigh · August 2011

My son will be 13 months in ten days. I have started having him sit on the potty during the day. He does well just sits there and plays a toy. Im just not sure if I am starting too soon. I dont think I am but my SIL has a 17 month old that hasnt even started trying... Am I expecting too much from a 13 month old by trying?

lindseychase06 · August 2011

That's too young imo. I have a 15 month old who is showing some readiness signs, but he can't verbalize when he needs to go, and he still doesn't go long enough with dry diapers. I am waiting until about 18 months and see where he is then. Its definitely not something to force on them.

Angela814 · August 2011

I don't even think my 13 mo understands when she's peeing and when she's not. I don't know what age the bladder becomes controllable, but I'm thinking it's not this soon. For babies, the bladder fills, and then it empties. It's completely involuntary. As they get older, they have some control and will store up urine in the bladder and then empty all at once.

DD1 was 28 months when we started potty training. She was able to tell me at that point when she had to go, and she could hold it for a few hours at a time. I know people start with younger children, but I personally had no desire to sit in the bathroom for 15 minutes every hour to try to "teach" DD to use the potty.

EmmieB · August 2011

nope, it's not too young. check out diaperfreebaby.com and get a few books and go for it. Have some naked time, keep offering the potty, use the sign for it (the ASL sign is a "t" that you shake) and see what happens.

Luckily, because it is so early, you can take your time and not stress and just let it happen.

Good luck!

ps - we're working on Baz pulling his own pants up and down so he can have the autonomy when he's ready. The more you let him do for himself, the more pride he'll have and the more enthusiastic he'll be.

EmmieB · August 2011

PS - until disposables were popular in the 60s, most babies were potty trained by 18 months.

kg_08 · August 2011

I don't think it's too young to start getting LO introduced to the potty. We got one for DD's birthday and will be starting in a couple weeks, just to get used to the concept. She actually went to her room yesterday, grabbed a diaper, came back to the living room to give it to me.... and guess what? She was stinky.

She knows when she poops and knows she doesn't like it, and is learning what to do about it. I think potty training this early is actually a good idea. Not expecting any miracles though, and won't be REALLY training until about 18 months. For now just practice and getting comfortable with the potty.

ougrad1 · August 2011

Yes, your expectations are way to high.

NiniJ55 · August 2011

IMO it's way too young. If the child showed an interest early - for exapmple telling you he make poop or is going longer periods without a wet diaper, ect... then I would say okay. But 13 months is really early.

We don't intend to start until 22 -24 months. Right now we talk about the potty (each time I go I mention that I'm going to the potty). When he makes poop I sit him on the toilet (with the diaper on) and speak to him letting him know that soon he will poop in the potty ... stuff like that. There is no way he would have understood at 13 months old.

If you push too soon he may end up regressing. Don't pressure it - there really is no rush.

NiniJ55 · August 2011

EmmieB:
PS - until disposables were popular in the 60s, most babies were potty trained by 18 months.

I think children who cloth diaper (even today) potty train sooner. It may have something to do with feeling the "wetness" more than with a disposable.

mooretiggr · August 2011

I'm with EmmieB on this one

Que*Syrah · August 2011

If he's showing signs, go for it. My 18 month old shows zero signs of readiness so I haven't done anything but let him sit on the potty.

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