How do I know when dd is ready for potty training ?

[Tillysmummy]

I don't want to rush into it and thought I may get a potty to have around the house so she is familiar with it. DD is 14 months and I am sure it is far too early but I have noticed the last couple of months she always goes to do her poo in the same place, under her highchair. She also has come up to me a couple of times now when she's done one and says poo poo. When do I know if she's ready to start training and how do I go about it ? I don't want to rush her but also I don't want to miss her signs if she's trying to tell me something.

Personally I wouldn't bother. I think its far too early and although you may have good signs from your dd she won't have the control necessary for potty training yet. She's obviously noticing when she's done one, which is great, and keep encouraging her to tell you, but you want them to be able to tell you when she needs a poo rather than when she's done one.

I am probably not the best person to ask as dd1 wasnt trained until 2.9, but when she was truly ready it only took a few days with little heartache.

The only word of warning I can give is that if they aren't truly ready, you end up driving both of you mad constantly harping on about it.

I will back you up on that one Enid, My son has CP and was still in nappies at 3 3/4, the nursery were trying to train him but he wouldn't so I said to leave it to me over the six weeks holidays and it took about 3 days. My DD is 2 1/2 and we are just starting to train her now. We haven't managed to get a wee or poo in the potty yet but we are trying.
I know that if you push them it takes longer but wait till they are ready and it takes no time at all,

I agree. Encourage her - maybe if you see her heading for the highchair, put her on the potty so she gets the idea but don't go for full on potty training. When DS1 used to tell me he'd done a poo I praised him and then explained that he needed to tell me before it got to "nappy time". I'm not sure how much he understood but it made me feel I was making an effort

He wasn't ready at 2y6m but got it within a week a couple of months later. Having said that, a friend's baby refused to use nappies from 7 months and would only poo in a potty - yes, really! (her 2nd child is utterly clueless at the same age though )

Interesting ladies, thanks. I'll get one just so she's familiar but wait for a while I think.