Potty training a 16 mo old?

[IABUQueen]

Now I know it’s very young! But I read French posts here saying some kids were ready at a similar age and out of nappies.

My 16 mo old has been showing signs for a while now. Since he was 13 months he has been saying “poo poo” and goes quiet, squats and pushes then giggles and every time I check he has done a poo in his nappy.

I just assumed it’s because he isn’t comfortable with a poo in his nappy. However for the past week, he has been following us to the toilet.. very interested and looking into the loo while I’m on it and giggling saying “poo poo”!

He also opened the toilet seat lid multiple times after I left the toilet saying “eww poo poo” which is what I say when I change his Nappy..

He poops multiple times in a day (3-4 sometimes more). So I I’m not sure I can start with training him for poo only.

I’m currently 5 months pregnant and it’s almost summer time and if there is a chance I could go ahead with potty training I would love to have one out of nappies so I can focus on only one! He would be 20 months when baby arrives.

Secondly.. I don’t see any signs of him recognizing when he pees. So it seems like he will still be in nappies but I can start with poop only?

Plz be gentle. I know it’s very very early. I’m hoping to get responses from those trying EC. I was potty trained by age 1. I hadn’t shown similar signs.

[IABUQueen]

• I had shown similar signs

[Dontforgetyourbrolly]

There's no harm in trying !

[SmellMySmellbow]

My son started with poo only, for about a month before he moved on to wees. He was 3 years as we waited until he decided but yeah, poo first is possible!

[IABUQueen]

I don’t know why I’m so scared to try I don’t know what to expect and as I’m tired and pregnant I really don’t want the hassle of cleaning poo and pee of the floor.

Any tips on how to go about it ??

[April45]

If your just doing it for poos he'll still be in nappies that will need changing so not sure you'll gain much. But if he is interested in pooing on toilet go for it, this is often the hard bit to master.

[babysharkah]

I really wouldn't bother yet, you'll be stuck to carrying a potty around for ages and switching between nappy and potty for poos and wees.

[TigerQuoll]

It is more work to be cleaning up after a young child potty training than it would be to have two on nappies

[Embracethechaos]

Hi, I have been practicing EC since 6 months with my 12 month old dd It's honestly not hard work as pooey nappy bums are horrible to clean and when pooing in the potty it doesn't go up her fanny. My advice is just go for it, don't overthink it and probably if pregnant don't aim to ditch nappys yet. My dad doesn't show signs of needing to wee, it's more about timing, (after sleep) and she's often dry overnight (more than daytime) and waits for the potty which is like a que to wee. You could start with poo, but she might find he wees at the same time. Also, I don't take a potty out, I just use a potty at home.

[Embracethechaos]

Dd, not dad

[ScottishMummy12]

I would try op. My dd started showing signs at 17 months and was fully trained day and night by 18 months. So it is possible. You could try and if it wasn't working after a week go back in nappies.

[Kokeshi123]

If he poos several times a day it makes it easier not harder, as you have more opportunities to practice. It's the ones who "hold" and get constipated that make toilet training harder.

Why not start with putting him on the potty and toilet when he is going to poo, and think of it as "practice"? It may or may not develop into actual toilet training, but either way he is learning good habits and making it easier for him to train later on.

You don'T have to drag a potty about--do a google search for "EC toilet position" and you will see some diagrams of the way to hold a young kid over the loo. I started mine off v early and never ever dragged a stupid potty around all day! (what an idea.....!)

[IABUQueen]

Ok so I got myself a toilet trainer because he sees me sitting on toilet and associates with it.

Just need to figure out how to start for now. I don’t usually know when he is pooing until he is squatting and making a face. Which I feel is a bit late. He does have certain hours in the morning so I will target that.

Thanks for all the reassuring stories I will give it a try!

[Di11y]

try pull ups and putting on toilet if you're near enough, plus buy a story book about it.

[Kiakiakia]

Join the elimination communication group on facebook (ec uk) and you could read amber hatch 'nappy free baby'. Will give you loads of knowledge on how to get going.