Questions from first time mum

[DaffodilsHouse]

Random questions but I'm a first time mum with zero experience of children apart from my own one!

1. At what age do you stop using a changing mat / table to change the child (both nappies and clothes)?

1. With potty training all the online stuff makes it look so simple and quick! It never mentions wiping bum - do you do this with a wet wipe or do you teach the toddler to do it?

1. My toddler still has a bottle of milk before nap and bed (we brush teeth after). Everyone said she'll grow out of it but she hasn't (19 months). I tried a cup and she was very upset. She loves the milk bottle and sleeps through most nights. Should I stop?

1. My 19 month old has a very good obvious understanding (can follow instructions, point a vast amount of things out, listen and follow) but is only saying a few words and not that clearly (only I can understand). Should I be worried? She reads books a lot and we read for at least 45 mins to an hour each day so I am confused as to why this is happening.

I hope some experienced parents or caters can help me with these questions. Thank you.

Changing mat is up to you. Depends on the kind of floor you have. Poop not easy to clean out the carpet!

Potty training is gradual. I wiped for them to start with and then started encouraging them to do it once they were going reliably. Even now my 6 year old doesn't do a great job!

I wouldn't worry about bottles at that age. At whatever point though she is going to get upset at the change.

Kids develop at different rates. My eldest could speak very clearly. My youngest is 6 and sometimes I cannot understand her.

1. I used a mat as long as they were being changed on their backs.

1. I did it when they were using the potty. And they still needed help when they used the loo.

1. I wouldn't be too worried at 19 months. Many people are still breastfeeding at this point.

1. They all develop at their own rates, and there is such wide variation between children. Child No. 2 was much slower to do everything than Child No. 1.

We also went into baby-rearing with no prior knowledge at all, and there's no use being told "just trust your instinct" as I don't think I had any. Every time we asked questions we had a whole range of contradictory answers, so I don't think anyone else has either, and yet the children all turn out pretty much the same. Good luck!

1. Long as you want to/need to.

1. You do this and once fully established you start encouraging them to.

1. Fine for bottle at 19 months.

We stopped at 2.3, only because he started playing around with it didn't give him it one night and he was fine.

1. They all differ, I wouldn't expect a 19 month to have very clear words. Her understanding is there so I would take this as a big positive at her age.

1. I used a changing mat for dirty nappies until my DD was toilet trained and for wet nappies still most of the time unless I’m being lazy
2. You do it with wet wipes or toilet paper then later on teach them
3. I stopped the bottle with my DD when she was 2 and my nearly 2 year old still has one; I’m in no rush to be honest
4. I found with both my children they would suddenly learn lots of words then would plateau for a bit then suddenly learn lots. I worried with my first but now with my second I’m more relaxed

Ok, really helpful, thank you!

Changing mat - when you no longer lie them down to change.

Potty training can be easy, or really hard. I recommend the oh crap potty training book. We continue to wipe with wet wipes if on potty, or toilet paper if on the loo, but tbh depends on consistency the poop!

3. the bottle, if it's still a baby bottle with teat, is the thing you should think about changing rather than the milk (but they might go hand in hand). However given you are brushing teeth after the milk I'm not sure it's that big a deal. We moved to the NUK toddler bottle as a transition, then gradually onto open cup.

Sounds like your little one is in the right ballpark for talking etc. Remember childhood is the best time, it's not a race to become an adult!