Potty training for beginners, share your tips with me please!

[CBear6]

DS was 2yo in August. For a while now he's been interested in following us to the toilet, he's also keen on flushing it, lifting the lid, etc (and washing hand afterwards). He seems to know when he needs to wee, I've noticed he will stop whatever he's doing, stand stock still with his legs apart and slightly bowed, and will go silent for a few seconds. When I check his nappy afterwards I always find he's had a wee, so he knows the sensation enough to stop while he's doing it (he also does this when he has his nappy off such as in the bath or getting dressed). Perhaps 60-70% of the time he will tell me "I've wee'd" and will pat the front of his nappy, when he's had a poo he does it 100% of the time, he still calls it a wee but he pats the back of his nappy. When we went shopping he spotted the underpants and asked for some "big boy pants" which he has been proudly wearing over the top of his nappy (and showing to everyone!).

I've never potty trained anyone before (he's my PFB) but I'm reading these signs as readiness? We're planning to put his straight onto the toilet (with a step and mini-seat) as he hates the potty we bought in anticipation of training but will happily clamber all over the loo given half a chance.

I was thinking of getting him a very small toy for the first time he wees in the toilet. Is that bad? DH thinks he will then expect one every time. I also wanted to get him a storybook about potty training/using the toilet but don't know of any appropriate to his age.

See how clueless I am?

Please share your tips with me!

[BertieBotts]

Nooooo, keep the rewards low key if you use any! They really do expect them every time and get upset. :(

Cheerios in the toilet when you get to standing up wees.

[CBear6]

No reward then, I'll stick to polite applause (he applauds after visiting the loo with me, I had no idea I was so talented in that respect).

[Pishtushette]

Hi CBear6
I'm just about to start with my DD who is also 2. I was going to put her straight on the loo, but then decided to buy a potty. I may ditvh the potty now as some children have problems moving from potty to loo.

Not sure whether to use pull-ups or go straight to pants...

On the NHS website, they suggest keeping rewards to a minimum.

Good luck. If you discover any top tips, please share.

[BertieBotts]

Pull ups are a bit pointless as they are very absorbent. You could use the feel-n-learn type ones to minimise washing, but it could work out very expensive.

[Santasjollys]

Hello
I'd avoid pull up nappies and just go straight to pants, otherwise I personally think it's a bit confusing. When ds1 started using the toilet, I did reward with little choccie treats occasionally (he was very dubious about pooing on the toilet, so needed encouragement), but I didn't need to with ds2. You'll be able to judge what's needed yourself once you start.
Good luck .

[Pishtushette]

Thanks for the advice. I will brave it and go with the pants. At least we have no carpets here.

[CBear6]

SIL is a nursery nurse and has told me to avoid the pull-ups except where necessary, long days out and the like, because sometimes they get confused and think they're just a normal nappy.

I got a little two step step-up today (£2.99 from B&M - bargain!) and a toddler seat for the loo (£4.99, same place). I've got a quiet day at home tomorrow so I'm going to give it a whirl and see how it goes. He's a stubborn sort so he'll either do it once and refuse to wear a nappy ever again, accidents be damned, or else he will dig his heels in and completely refuse to even be in the same room as the toilet.

[SmileItsSunny]

Watching with interest... Good luck!