Dd is 2.1 - I'm due dc2 Feb - when best to start potty training?

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Dd hasn't really shown much interest in potty training. Will occasionally tell me she has done a poo but it never seems to bother her - never asks for her nappy to be changed. In fact, it's difficult to get her to lie down to have her nappy changed sometimes. I've felt pretty rough until a few weeks ago with this pregnancy so couldn't face the thought of potty training. Should I wait until she shows signs of being more ready? Is it best to try and get her out of nappies before the arrival of dc2? Hopefully she'll start nursery in September of next year so would hope to have her potty trained by then. Is it reasonable to think that I could get her trained during Feb-August or will arrival of dc2 throw things a bit? TIA

[Clayhead]

I trained my dd just after her second birthday, my ds was 4 months old then and it was tricky but worth it! If I had the same age dc as you, I would get it done before dc2's arival but I reconise I am not in the majority on here with that opinion

[PlonkerCandleInAPumpkin]

Keep looking for signs of her being ready and then go with her on it.

I know the timing may not be great (with new baby and all) but if you try a force a child who isn't ready to potty training, then you're setting her up for failure and yourself up for a lot of unnecessary stress and mess.

Yes, often a new baby can cause set-backs in potty training, but not for every child, and if she shows signs of being ready before your new baby is born then I would say don't let the babys imminent arrival put you off.

I'm a great believer in there being a window of opportunity for potty training - it could be at 18mo, 2yr 2.5yr or even 3/3.5yr - but I strongly believe that if you miss the opportunity it makes things twice as hard because your dc learns to ignore signals telling them to 'go'.

Good luck and good luck for the new baby too

[ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave]

Agree with Plonker -- when she seems to be ready.

One thing to bear in mind is that she's quite likely to regress to an extent when the new baby arrives, which reduces the appeal of the "nice to have her out of nappies before DC2 arrives" argument.

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Thanks very much for your replies. Will keep looking out for signs of readiness.