When to potty train?

[Chloe55]

Ds is only 15mths so not considering starting now although mum reckons I should But just wondered when the average age to introduce a potty is? Is it basically as soon as they can tell you that they need to poo/wee? I know all toddlers are different but I have heard that if you start too soon then you could be making a rod for your own back and that it is actually better to wait as long as possible as it will be a quicker transition from nappies to potty - do you reckon that's right?

Average is between 2 (probably nearer 2 1/2) and 3 but there are lots of chidlren who fall ouside that. Awareness is one aspect , physical ability to hold on until you reach the toilet then release another.

Yeah that makes sense LIZS, just want to point out reasons for waiting to mum (who has had 2kids so you'd think she would remember) as she is convinced that just because ds hides behind the sofa and strains for a poo then he knows he is doing it and is therefore ready. She forgets the fact that since he was a newborn it was bloody obvious when he is having a poo!

I introduced a potty being around the place from around that age with DS and encouraged him to sit on it, generally before his bath from maybe 18 months. He potty trained at about 2.3.

DD was always used to the potty being around and decided herself at 19 months that she was big enough to not need nappies anymore (she was right ).

Every child is different and I would never have forced DS or DD - they were happy with what they were doing.