Little bit of advice re "early" training please

[Ozziegirly]

My DS is 18 months and I had no thought at all to start training until he was 2. But he has just this week started telling me when he has done a poo, and today I was about to put him down for his nap and said "Do you need to do a poo before your nap?" and he made a thoughtful face and then did a poo in his nappy.

So I was wondering if anyone could advise what next steps I should take? I am in no hurry, but he loves being "grown up", doesn't like having his nappy changed and I figured if I could possibly train him before he starts being more recalcitrant then that would be great.

My thoughts were to put him in those "wetness" nappies because his nappies are so absorbent that even sodden and huge his skin is dry so I guess he has no idea when he has been but when he sees me in the loo, and I say "I'm doing a wee" (with a happy face) he kind of makes a strainy face as if he is trying to as well.

So, any suggestions really? Thank you in advance.

[lizzie83]

Hi, I think you are right to try if he is ready. My son did the same thing at that age but I considered him too young so missed the boat and then when we did he seemed to have lost interest.

I think just keep it relaxed. Ask him if he wants to sit on a potty/toilet after eating and drinking and before going to sleep and if he does something give him lots of praise and perhaps a reward. If you don't mind mess you could always try putting him in pants but obviously once you have don't go back into nappies apart from at night because this can be confusing for him so maybe for the time being put him in pull ups.

I hope this helps and I haven't come across as bossy. Good luck.

[jasmin27]

I was also wanting to ask that same question today as my 17 month dd has just today started signalling to go to the bedroom straight after she has done a poo that is where we usually change her nappy. I'm assuming it's because she has realised that shes done a poo and wants me to change her. Is it worth trying to sit her on a potty?

[RitaMorgan]

I was going to ask similar - ds is 19 months and has started telling us about a poo either just before or while he does it. We have a potty and have managed to get him on it a couple of times to poo, but he's not that keen on it (I read him a book so he'll stay there.

He's not telling us about wees at all though, maybe because he can't feel the wetness?

[timetosmile]

Can I suggest trying one of those kiddie seats that go on the toilet?

DC3 had us totally flummoxed by his resistance to even sit on a potty...then we realised no-one else in the house used one... and why should he learn to wee in a pot when the rest of the family use the loo? No looking back after that, and he felt a real grown up!

And my only other piece of advice is to not get too het up about the whole thing which is sometimes easier said than done They all get there in the end!

[AnitaBlake]

Late to this thread, DD is 17m and I'm going to try her in big girl pants tomorrow! She's been running round nappyless for weeks, but all that happens is she makes puddles, gets upset and then we clean it up, so I thought knickers might help her feel wet and hopefully make the connection.

She asked to sit on the toilet today at MILs, so I'm taking that as a good sign, she is also aware and starting to dislike wearing nappies, so I'm thinking of encouraging that with her. How is everyone else doing?

[MummyAbroad]

I read a book called "Early Start Potty Training", sorry cant remember who by, but it was brilliant and I trained my son at one and half. There is loads of great advice in it, I really recommend it.