Signs DS wants to potty train? DS is 20 mos.

PseudoMama · September 2013

DS is 20 mos. He is really private about pooping and I'm wondering if I should potty train him.

He always hides in a specific corner when he has to poop. He will ask to get out of his highchair, or wait until we are home so he can run to the corner and hide and poop. He won't let anyone watch him.

When we change him, he says "I do it" and I give him a wipe and he wipes himself (I of course really do it but he thinks he is).

He tries to take off his diaper or put it on when I'm changing him.

He seems mortified when we are changing his diaper.

If he is being cranky and I know the cause, I will say "go poo poo", and 9 times out of 10 he will. So if he can poop on command basically, wouldn't he be ready to potty train?

I have no idea how he would have any sense of embarrassment over pooping at 1 1/2. He goes to daycare - do you think they might be making him feel ashamed or is this a natural thing kids do? I am starting to wonder if I should worry if daycare is teaching him to be embarrassed about diaper changes:(

Sorry if this was TMI.

preggersin2011 · September 2013

I talked to LO's director when LO was 18 months and showing signs. They weren't willing to support it in her room. She has to wait until she is in the 2yr+ room. I would talk to the day care director (not teachers) and see what their policy is at that age & if they are willing. I chose not to have LO be in a different set of rules at school than at home.

EMOmamma · September 2013

Some of the stuff I read talks about 22months being an ideal time. It didn't work for us with my DS but I could see how it would be good for others. I say give it a shot but keep your expectations reasonable. Good luck!

ALHickok1 · September 2013

Every child is different. You're the mama, you know your son. First, I would talk to the child care staff, hopefully you get honest answers. Second, if you think DS is ready introduce him to the potty if you haven't already. In my opinion, I've worked at child care centers for about 5 years, and have my own 22 month old, I find that most children, especially boys aren't ready. I'm not an expert though by any means. Introduce the potty, perhaps he is one who is be ready. If he doesn't seem ready though after you start to try, do push it. I tried my son at about 14 months because he was really interested in playing with the potty and coming in with mommy and daddy, he went potty a few times and lost interest. I tried again when he showed interest about 2 months ago, he lost interest again and now refuses to sit on the potty, or stand. Good luck.

bridein08 · October 2013

I agree with PP that you are mama, you know best. DS was ready to train around 16 months, but I was nannying this summer for a ten year old boy- and I knew he wouldn't appreciate a naked toddler running about! We tried at 19 months (he'd been doing #2 in the toilet for months), and he picked right up on the first day of the three day method. If nothing else, when you notice he goes to the corner, sit him on the toilet (with a comfy potty seat attached) and read him a book or two. He knows he has to go, you know he is going, there's no use it letting him condition himself to only go in the diaper- that is why we hear of so many preschoolers who will pee in the toilet but only poop in diaper/pullups- they have to be able to relax on the toilet.

if he's ready, try it! It was so much easier than I thought and he is now 22 months. (the only issue was it threw our MDO for a loop- he is in a 1-2 year class and they don't have a bathroom in there. I put him in a huggies little mover pull up- real pullups are only 2t-3t and up- too big!) and take him just before and after. He hasn't wet during his class yet, he has a little bladder of steel

Want a personalized experience?

Signs DS wants to potty train? DS is 20 mos.

Re: Signs DS wants to potty train? DS is 20 mos.

Choose Another Board

Search Boards