Toilet training...on anyone's radar yet?

Brit's Luna154 · February 2013

I had a conversation about it this morning with our DCP. She has gotten kids as young as 16 months fully trained (day/night).

Talk to me like I'm a moron because I (seriously) know nothing about little kids. What age is typical to start thinking about this? What age is normal for it to "work"? Is there a good book on the topic that I should read when the time comes?

kcbv123 · February 2013

We're still working on trying to convince him that walking is an acceptable means of transportation, so I have a feeling toilet training is still a ways away. He does like to sneak into the bathroom and peer into the toilet though, and is absolutely fascinated by the flushing, so maybe he'll be interested in training earlier?

I think around 2 is pretty standard IF they are interested. I'm a teacher so I would love to start him this summer at 18 months, but I really doubt that'll happen and I'm not too stressed about it. As long as they don't end up in diapers in kindergarten I don't think there's a right or wrong time. (And yes, I've seen it and it is sooo sad)

bigbear · February 2013

I've started thinking about it, but more like how I might go about it in about a year or so. 2 is about the average age.

That's when we'll start working on it.

Also, not sure if that is really accurate (again the typical "every kid is different" applies) but a lot of people say that it's easier for girls to get potty trained and that you'll see more girl being potty trained by the age of 2 - 2.5 than boys...

Any experienced moms have any input?

shortstuff15 · February 2013

I'm not an expert on boys or girls because I've only trained one kid, but it is most definately on my radar and I am planning on starting training in May, so about 16ish months. I've already started sitting her on the potty just for fun and talking to her about pee and poop. When I mentioned poop she looks at her diaper and the other day I discovered, by accident, that she knows how to stop peeing once she starts. She's also got a big sister that is trained though, so that may be making it easier.

I started training my oldest at about 18 months, but was very inconsistant with it so that dragged it on. I finally took a week when she was 25 months to finish the process for day time training. I didn't push night training at all until about a month and a half ago when she just started waking up dry on her own. Now she is in underwear 24/7.

My theory is that the rest of the world has an average age that is quite low for potty training and North America is about 3 so obviously it is possible to train them earlier, it just takes a bit more effort. But underwear is so much easier than diapers so I'm all for trying early!

Haley.Beth · February 2013

Since I've got #2 coming when dd will be 18 months, ideally we would start pretty early, but who knows? When she starts showing an interest I will start pushing the issue. I've heard girls potty train faster, and cloth diapers help as well, but I'm not going to get my hopes up for another year or so.

MrsRucinski85 · February 2013

Not on my radar... however my GF's little girl is 14 months and uses the potty every morning and night. She has even got her to poop on it... and they didn't use EC. Her little one just keep waking up with a dry diaper so they just decided to put her on the potty one morning and BAM she went!

lp0 · February 2013

Nope not on my radar yet. I'll see if he has any interest around 18 months but like everyone mentioned I think 2 years is average to start. I also heard girls train faster than boys.

meg_2006 · February 2013

Pffffff...I probably won't even be thinking about it until 2 yrs.

As far as boys vs. girls, it's really up to the child and their personality. I was 3 1/2 before I used the potty (FWIW I just decided to wear big girl panties and use the toilet one day and never had an accident after that). My almost 3 year old niece is cloth diapered and has absolutely no interest in using the potty...and I think that's in part because she's very stubborn

I have heard second children are easier because they want to be like their big sister/brother...but that doesn't help you right now. So far the only thing I'm doing to encourage it is letting DS watch when I'm going to the bathroom so he can figure out what the toilet is for.

dizzycooks · February 2013

We are planning on doing it this summer when she's about 18 months. I would love to not send her in diapers back to daycare next fall. Right now she just sits on her little potty for fun and she goes in it most of the time. Over the weekends we maybe use 6 diapers, but she's really regular (first two diapers are ALWAYS poop). I definitely think it can be done before 2.

DataJane · February 2013

My SIL did elimination communication and had her daughter out of diapers by 18 months BUT she spent pretty much the entire first 0-18 months with her sitting on the potty doing shhhhhhhhing noises and when she did get her potty trained at first she just let her pee wherever they were because even though she was trained she didn't have the ability to hold it for very long.

So it can be done but if you aren't into letting your kid pee in other people's yards or behind a tree at the park you might be better off to wait until they are a bit older.

I think this is why other countries are able to potty train earlier, most Americans aren't so hot on this sort of thing... Stick out tongue

sanbry · February 2013

My MIL swears DH was potty trained fully by 1 yr bc he hated being wet. I think she's full of it lol. Needless to say, we arent thinking about it yet, but I do ask her if she's pooping when I notice and she tugs at her diaper sometimes when she pees.

hulaqt · March 2013

DD loves to sit on the potty - only b/c her big bro is doing it too....If I ask DS if he has to go, DD yells POTTY and runs to the bathroom and just stands there or moves the stool over.

It's quite comical...we sit her on it, but she never goes. I figure it'll happen when they are ready

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