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New at potty training- When do I start and how?

2 replies

kbaby · 06/04/2006 18:27

dd is 23 months and for the past few weeks has been telling as to change her bum as she doesnt like the feel of poo or pee.

Im thinking that maybe this is a sign to start her. Ive bought a potty but she wont sit on it as its too cold so ive now bought a comfy toilet seat.
Thing is ive no idea if she is ready or even how I start the training.
hELP?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
frogs · 06/04/2006 18:51

kbaby, you're welcome to join us on the Easter Holiday thread, which is (apparently) going to really get going on Monday!

23 months is quite young, but not impossibly so. My dd1 was out of nappies by her 2nd birthday, so it can be done, but might require a bit more effort. I'm now on child 3, so by now I have a 'policy' on potty-training, which certainly works with my children, and has worked for the various other people that I nicked the ideas off.

I start anywhere from 18 months onwards by putting them on the potty at bathtime, with the idea that they will get the hang of how to do a wee 'on demand'. It doesn't always work my ds just refused to sit on it for longer than a couple of secs but if it does work and they get the hang of the feeling of 'letting go' it can simplify potty training proper.

For proper training, 2 and a bit is a good age to start. Lay in a large stock of cheap pants and a large supply of cotton leggings/tracksuit bottoms and similar. Forget pullups, trainer pants etc -- they're just expensive ways to prolong the agony.

Choose a time when you have a week or so at home, and just go cold turkey. The first few times the child will wet him/herself, and you just keep pointing out that wees go in the potty. After that you keep putting her on the potty every hour on the hour (or so), and rewarding richly every time there's a success. Stickers are good to start with, though you can up the ante with chocolate buttons if necessary. Gradually they learn to hold on for longer and you can extend the time between potty sessions.

Poos can take longer to get the hang of -- it helps if your child is regular in her habits. Having a special toy she can play with on the potty may help keep her there long enough to perform. It needs to be something fiddly, eg Lego. And a pile of books.

Don't revert to nappies (except for sleeps) unless absolutely essential, eg. you've tried the above for a week and the child clearly has no idea what's required.

hth

kbaby · 06/04/2006 19:55

HMM.. I was going to start because she wants to take her nappy off all the time and I thought it wasnt nice for her to have a wet nappy on if she clearly doesnt like it, but maybe I should consider it a bit more and wait until were back off hols in May and book a week off work and concentrate on it more. I guess I need to be dedictaed as well and get the star charts and the knickers etc..
I just tried her on the toilet seat I bought but she said she doesnt like it.

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