DD can tell me when she needs to poo and wee

[RainbowsFriend]

... at 16months - but surely this is too young for potty training?

She quite clearly says "poo" or "wee" meaningfully to me about a minute before hand, and not at other times so she's not just saying the words... but she wont go in the potty when I've tried that - she waits til her nappy is put back on!

So... Opinions?

[RainbowsFriend]

Even though she's got diarrhoea with a bug at the moment - she is still telling me "poo" before she dirties her nappy - is she ready for potty training?

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

No she's not too little - I was out of nappies at 15 months, day & night.

Keep telling her she's a good girl to tell you and I'd bribe her into going on the toilet.

[Ruthchan]

She is very young, but she might be ready.
Awareness and communication are two of the signs of readiness.
Does she show any others?
Does she have a reasonable gap between wees?
Does she show interest in the potty/loo?

Maybe you could leave a potty in the room for her to sit on and explore.
Keep taking the nappy off when she says she needs to go and give her the opportunity to sit down if she would like to.
Many children are nervous of doing the first pee and poo in the potty. Even when they feel ready and are saying they want to go, that first one won't come easily and they prefer to wait for a nappy.
Give her time. Be patient and keep offering her opportunities.
If she's really ready, she'll get there.

[RainbowsFriend]

She's not particularly interested in the loo - although she will hand me loo roll when I'm sat on it! The only interest sh has in the potty is trying to stand in it

She has more than 1 hour between wees apart from first thing - unless she's ill she doesn't wee overnight anymore but saves them all up for the first 2 hours on waking!

[RainbowsFriend]

I have no idea how to go about potty training as I though it was something for 2+ year olds so hadn't even thought!

[ReallyTired]

My daughter was the same. However we found that the amount of notice she would give before the impending puddle just simply was not enough. If I was you, I gently encourage her to sit on the potty. Make fun by reading her stories, but don't scold her or say anything if she still wants to use her nappy. Read her stories like I want my potty or once upon a potty

If your house is warm and you got hard floors then bare bottom time is a great way to see if she has any control/ awareness of bodily functions.

I don't think your little girl is ready for proper potty training, but there is nothing wrong with gently encouraging.

[RainbowsFriend]

Thanks for the replies :)