MIL offering to potty train DS - he's only 9 months!

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I was expecting to do this around 2 years, although must admit haven't really looked into it that much as was assuming have ages yet. However, MIL (who is now looking after DS while I am back at work) said that she potty trained all hers at 9 months and did I want her to do it for DS! That can't be right can it?
For one thing, we want do it as a family when he is ready (that sounds a bit odd, but YKWIM), but also, has she got false memory syndrome? (as both she and my own mum seem to have when it comes to babies/boiled water/rusks etc etc!!)
I am going to tactfully decline her offer, but wanted reassurance that this isn't normal is it??

There's a method of potty training called 'elimination communication' which starts when the baby is very small, and I suspect your MIL is thinking of a similar method to that.

Many babies often show signs of when they want to wee and poo and some can be very predictable.

What your mil is suggesting is normal in some cultures and societies, but gets laughed at in our society.

9 months
some books say you can get used to a child sitting on the toilet at this age but you can't really train them as they have no control yet
my DS is 16 months and only just starting to become aware but wasn't even thinking about training until he is 2 (ish)

forgot to add - but obviously you don't have to listen to your mil, you have to do what suits you best.

thanks for these - I think she means getting him used to sitting on a potty, but still using nappies (well I would hope so!) but its not what we want to do with him, would rather spend the time enjoying him as there is no rush - he is still so little. Just wanted someone else to agree with me!!

My MIL says she trained Dh at 9 months. She also says he could walk at 8 months, seeing how he can barely walk from one room to another, now at 39, without tripping over something, I choose to disbelieve her.

never was one for elimination communication. I have enough of adults talking crap as it is

Babies of that age no not have sufficu=ient control fo rthe muscles that allow urination and defication.

If your MIL has the time and inclination to play catch the pee/poo, fine. personally It was never my thing.

It is common in warmer countries where children can run round naked, or semi naked. It is also more common in countries were there are lots of older family members on hand to 'toilet' the baby, and washing facilities may be limited. It is quite common in China, for instance.

However in the west, we are time poor, and washing machine and water rich.

Babies have bladder control from being very little.I know as my daughter showed me that she could wait to go to the toilet and relax and go on cue as well.

Hence it is more than possible to keep your 9 month old baby dry and clean without using nappies. It is quicker than full nappy changes and will leave your MIL for plenty of playing time with your son.

As long as there is no negative reaction to 'misses' then there is no diadvantage to your MIL ECing your son.

That said, he is YOUR son and if ECing makes you uncomfortable tell your MIL to use nappies.

HTH

diadvantage disadvantage