Is "I'm having a baby in ten weeks" a good enough reason to attempt to potty train 2.11yo DS?

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

The title is pretty much it. Is it? He's used a potty a few times in the evenings, but is quite happy in a nappy all day. Sometimes says when he has pooed but often doesn't. I don't notice when he wees.

I've lost count of the number of people telling me to get going with it before next baby comes along (am 27 weeks, but DS turned up at 37 weeks, so might be early again)

[ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo]

well, if your son is ready then it's time but be aware that often fully trained (i mean as in a year dry) children often regress when a new baby comes along. no harm in trying but if he's not ready don't push it and don't get frustrated. and don't listen to otehr people. listen to your son.

[thisisyesterday]

i don't think it matters that much if you do it before or after tbh

what does matter is whether or not he is ready. if he isn't, then it will take you forever and you don't really want to be in the midst of it when baby arrives

but why not give it a go and see how he is. nothing to lose

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

yes, that is what I thought.

good advice, thank you both

I suppose it is ok to give it some time (say over a week) and then go back if it really isn't working?

[ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo]

yes a week would be very good if it happened that quickly but i would plan for a bit longer. i made the mistake of starting my ds1 too early and it took 6 months before he was trained. it was awful. never again. ds2 can call the shots when he is ready

[alarkaspree]

If he's ready you should see significant progress in a week. If you don't, then go back to nappies for a bit and try again another time.

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

what do you think is a reasonable amount of time to see whether it is worth continuing or giving up, would you say? Or is it too subjective?

I mean, I don't really want to regret not giving it a chance if it is the right time and I can see that it WOULD be more difficult in one respect with a little baby around, but equally if he is ready it will be quicker whthever the other circumstances.

He is interested in potties and toilets and weeing and so on.

But I don't want to scar him for life or anything!

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

x=post! Thank you

[Tysonandthehouseelves86]

My ds was 2.4 months and almost ready for proper pants, then his sister came along and he refused to go on the potty, 3 months later and he is back to going on the potty but even better than before.
I tried to potty train him as he was ready and i only wanted 2 in nappies.
Its up to you what you do just hoping my story can help you decide :)

[HaveAHappyNewJung]

If you don't want to do it (and if you don't think it's the right time) then forget it.

Many children (even well trained ones) regress when a sibling arrives anyway.

I found it so much easier when DD was just turned 3, so DS wouldve been about 10m. I think it actually helped that I was stuck with DS and it forced me to relax about accidents.

Unlike the first attempt when I was trying to persuade her every hour to try the potty, the second time I just said 'if you need a wee, use the potty' - she wet herself twice that morning and was dry after that.

[thisisyesterday]

to be honest, i found with a new baby that it was easier having them both in nappies because you didn't have that whole "mummy! weeeee!!!" every time you sat down to feed the baby
yes ds1, i'm looking at you!

if he is ready i would expect to be fairly reliable within a week, def within 2

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

Ok, I think that in a couple of weeks (when I have three clear days I can spend at home) I may see how it goes, give it at least a week (my CM is on board but is also of the 'don't rush it' school - but it was also partly her idea to give it a go). If there isn't progress after a week then I'll put him back in nappies. No pressure on him or me.

(I've seen Early Potty Training Gone Bad a few times with toddlers of friends)