16 months too early?

[jenna12345]

I imagined even next summer would be a push to potty train but should I push it now? My ds is 16 months and has very good speech and understanding. Hes very interested in watching me go to the toilet and flush. The past few weeks he has started telling me everytime before he poo's then laying down by the nappies saying 'poo' repeatedly when hes done. I brought a potty and hes poo'd on it twice so I thought id see how he'd go the other day and took his nappy off for the whole morning. He held a wee for around 3 hours then went in the kitchen and wee'd and screamed to me to let me know it was 'coming out'. A couple of times he's grunted and looked at me then wee'd and stopped mid flow when I lift him onto the potty then wouldnt finish until nappy back on. I thought mainly he was too young due to not having the control but does this indicate he does have the control? I think people will think im mad with him being so young but would I be missing the opportunity? Unsure what to do for the best?!

[ToesAndFingers]

I really don't understand how it can be too early. What harm can it do even if it's too early? A bit of faff for you for nothing, but that's it.

I'd say go for it. Don't have high expectations, if he gets it he gets it.

Where I'm from babies used to be sat on potties from when they could sit up unaided, so as early as 6 months. Of course you wouldn't expect them to tell you they need a poo or a wee at that age, but there is no harm in getting them used to the idea.

Good luck!

[catkind]

What we did at that age (and from much earlier like ToesAndFingers says) was have potties around, offer them at convenient opportunities or if DD seemed to want to. We still had her in pullups (or sometimes reusable training pants) for the sake of our carpets.

Certainly sounds like he's getting the idea. I'd probably make sure he can go at will in the potty before removing nappies, but I'm lazy like that.