Nothing in the potty all day

[Leosun]

Started potty training ds this morning using oh crap method. He knows when he needs to go because he says potty or takes himself somewhere I can’t see him to wee and poo. Not managed to get anything in the potty all day though and when I pick him up and put him on he just stops and holds it.
Any tips please?

[TiptopJ]

Sorry to say but it sounds normal! I tried the o crap method and there is some useful advice in there but it actually took around 2 weeks before my son was comfortable using the potty and another 2-3 weeks before he stopped having accidents.
I would say continue with the gentle approach as it says in the book for another few days to see if he takes to it but be prepared to be a bit more forceful if needed. My son would sit on the potty for ages but refuse to use it so in the end I waited until he was doing a wee (on the floor) picked him up and held him on it whilst reassuring him it wasn't scary. Also found a lollipop or a chocolate star for doing a wee helped a lot

[Leosun]

thanks for replying, I’m actually happy to hear it’s normal. I’d feel less disheartened if even some went in the potty because he responds really well to praise but he’s just holding it in as soon as I lift him up 😫
did you do nighttime training at the same time or wait? I wanted to do it all at once but now I’m not sure

[Shmithecat2]

@Leosun

thanks for replying, I’m actually happy to hear it’s normal. I’d feel less disheartened if even some went in the potty because he responds really well to praise but he’s just holding it in as soon as I lift him up 😫
did you do nighttime training at the same time or wait? I wanted to do it all at once but now I’m not sure

You can't really train for night time, that's more physiological - they need to be producing certain hormones. You could of course go through the hassle of lifting them in the night, but that doesn't teach them to wake themselves up with the sensation of a full bladder. How old is your dc?

[Leosun]

Yeh I think it’ll stick with the pull ups at night for now as he sleeps so good I don’t want to mess it up. He’s 18 months

[PrincessBuggerPants]

@Leosun we were you two months ago, we are now trying the bribe route. In a couple of months time...

I have found that the entire basis for Oh Crap Potty Training is that you plonk them midstream on the potty and then the rest of the wee goes in there, meaning they learn that is where wee goes. If they are withholding so effectively that they subvert that process, there really isn't very much you can do [skeptical]

[Leosun]

When I pick him up mid wee he holds it and then doesn’t go on the potty. He’s had two cups of water in the last hour and no wee, good sign that he’s holding it? How old is your kid @PrincessBuggerPants

[Shmithecat2]

18mo??? That's so young! When the child is ready, it really shouldn't take a book, stress or any lengthy amount of time to train them. If it doesn't click in the next few days, just leave it a few months and try again.

[Leosun]

Everyone has a different opinion on what is the right age to potty train and I know my child is capable. He’s asked for the potty and gone on it today so that’s a positive step forward

[Shmithecat2]

Yes, that's great! But like I said, when they're ready, it really shouldn't take longer than a few days.

[WingBingo]

18 months is very young. You will know if they are ready though.

In my experience, if they are not ready it will be a painful experience. Once they are ready, it is not hard, you can even skip the potty too.

[PrincessBuggerPants]

@Leosun my son is 26 months.

It is entirely possible for a child to be ready at 18 months, though v rare they would get it in 3 days. People I know who have successfully potty trained when younger took a very gradual approach. The three day kids are often over 3 ime (and its not done in 3 days, it is achieved after a year or so of different and failed attempts!)

[Shmithecat2]

my son was 2y8m, and it took him 3 days, with 2 accidents on the first day.

[Leosun]

I’m not trying to get it done in 3 days I know with his age that it will probs take longer and that’s ok :)
I love the thought of it happening in 3 days but not as much as I hate the thought of changing a 3 year olds nappy haha