Potty training

[mermaid101]

My DD is 2.4 and I think she might be ready to potty train. Her nursery has suggested it, and she has asked for "big girl" pants and becomes upset when she soils herself.

However, I was having a look for a book to buy to help me and the Gina Ford one says that the child has to be able to dress and undress themselves before you start. Is this true? Also, I'm not quite sure what that means. She take off most clothes, but would need help to put some items on. Does this mean she can dress/undress herself?

Does anyone have any advice, or can anyone suggest a good book I could get. A friend said she used one which took 3 days to do, but she couldn't remember anything else about it.

You can probably tell this is my first child, so I'm a bit clueless really.

God no they don't have to be able to dress! DS trained easily at 2.0yo and he's only now getting to grips with dressing himself at 3.5!

I used Potty Training Boys which was a great book. Simple and allows for training around a busy life. Also gives you clues to know when they're really ready. This is the girl version.

Try to keep things as low expectation as possible and just take things as they come. If it doesn't work, give up and try in a few weeks.

One little tip, buy a size up in pants to make sure they are easy to pull down. Also use leggings/track suit bottoms also for ease of pulling down quickly.

Good luck. The first time they take themselves off to the loo is just amazing!

The dressing themselves thing isnt necessary on its own to potty train. I think its mainly more that they can remove their bottom half (or at least attempt to) to sit on the potty but there are lots of other signs. If she's asking then she's starting to be ready.