Potty training

[LaurenSarah22]

So my LO is 18 months next month & I've decided to start potty training. She pulls at her nappy and when I ask about changing her bum she doesnt to get her things.

I was just wondering if anyone has any tips? She watches me when I go to the loo and I put her on her potty at the same time

She is far too young. Wait until she is showing very obvious signs of being ready. There are loads as many MN will tell you. Normal age cab be 2 to 3 but maybe even later, Children who have done it earlier are outside of the average or have been " reflex Trained" which is not true toilet training and is hard work and a little unkind IMO

I'm not sure the things that you're describing necessarily mean she's ready but nor do they mean she's not if that makes sense. I personally think the biggies are 1) has she shown that she can rote learn a sequence of events ie; can she sing or sign a simple nursery rhyme or recite a page from her favourite book or count to 10? Or maybe can do something which involves doing a sequence of 2 or 3 different things eg getting dressed? And 2) does she have the receptive language to really get that you want her to use the potty and the expressive language to let you know she needs it in some way? And 3) does she show enough dislike of being dirty/wet to be motivated?

I'm not necessarily for 'watching for the signs'. I was dubious about my just turned 2YO being ready because she wasn't even telling me when she filled her nappy. However we're training her right now and she's doing brilliant and was totally ready. If you're going to try I would be prepared for lots of accidents and use the 'oh crap' method (based on a book called oh crap potty training if you did want to read) which essentially means keeping her bare from the waist down with a potty by her side until she 'gets it' and then going commando until she's developed the muscle memory to stay dry. I'm not sure that much else will work at such a young age. The oh crap book suggests that 20-30 months is the optimum age. I would be prepared for a lot of accidents if you go for it now but it's your choice. You know your LO best. If you pop over the the 'potty training' section of this board you might get a lot more response there. Good luck x

If you do some thorough research it says they can begin to train at 18 months and some children can train before them.

The age of potty training has gone alot higher compared to what it used to be and it is possible.

I'm not personally saying she's too young but just that I wouldn't expect it to be easy. Yes the age has gone up probably for 2 key reasons 1) cloth nappies were basically a ballache so putting up with the odd accident was preferable to dealing with the old style nappies and 2) correction for not using the potty correctly even just a couple of generations ago may well have been much harsher than what we'd deem acceptable now.

If you think she's ready then go for it. You know her best. My advice is try bare from the waist down eapecially if training this young x

I'd say wait a bit longer, by all means still have the potty about and sit her on it when you go the toilet etc.
Initial toilet training should take about a week or so if they are ready (obviously with the odd accident here and there) if you start too soon you get caught in the trap of not being able to go back to nappies but cleaning and changing accidents for months

I's recommend the "Oh Crap" book too. We waited to 2.4 but would do it earlier with a second as they can do so much at 18 months, they aren't as defiant as a two -year-old and moving on from nappies is great. I know a handful of kids whose parents had that book that trained their kids at 18-20 months.