What age to Potty train????

[Meandmyjoe]

OK, this is a bit premature as my ds is only 8 months old but I was wondering what is the best age to start potty training. I always thought that it was 18-28 months but I was a bit confused when my mother in law seemed a bit suprised that we don't have a potty yey

Apparently she potty trained dh at 8 months and by 11 months he never used nappies at all.

Admittedly, dh did walk and talk very very early but I don't see how or why I would start to potty train so early. My ds can sit very well but is not yet mobile and clearly doesn't understand when he needs to wee. I don't understand!!!!

OK then, the vast majority of toddlers in developed countries (?), in the UK, Canada and America (?) in Western Europe (?) are potty trained between 18 months and 3 years? DO I get your approval now? god you are patronising. Where do you live? Hackney?

Phelia,
"I just wish people would be a bit more open minded about ecing versus potty training"

You have to remember that most mothers have never heard of or seen ECing in action. Therefore it is unsurprising, that many mothers react with surprise and misunderstanding of what ECing is.

Like extended/full term breastfeeding it is hard to understand 'why' from outside the mother child relationship.

Having ECed my DD from being a tiny baby, ECing seems so natural and easy and much easier than dirty nappies. But for mothers who use nappies seem to feel the same way.

As I said earlier, it seems to be just a case of whatever works for you and your child. Be it ECing or Traditional Toilet training.

Phelia, sorry to rain on your parade, but I when I was in China, where nobody uses nappies (so I guess you'd call it 'EC") I saw dozens of people dashing to the road sides holding their 2 or 3 yr olds over the gutter to wee or poo. These kids weren't in full control of their bladders / bowelles, they were already weeing as their parents ran (!) - they were just using the gutter instead of a nappy. I don't really see the difference. I think no nappies = a slight increase in a child's ability to read their own body signals, perhaps, but I don't believe that EC results in dramatically different average ages for full bladder/bowel control than nappy-using. Therefore, as with many things in Western culture, people go for convenience, and it is more convenient to use a nappy for most people, especially those who work and send their children to daycare / childminders etc.

I put my one year old on a potty first thing in the morning and just before his bath at night and he sits on the without any bother and he'll come off even if he hasn't managed a wee/poo. That would just be a bonus if he did do that but he doesn't always. It's not a hassle for me to help him on the potty, it only take a second! Not sure where the inconvenience side of this argument comes into play, it's honestly v easy!!
And as others have said, it's parental choice to try ECing or potty training from any age - just don't expect miracles!!

Anyone else noticed that the OP has gone very quiet?

Do you think you scared her off, or are you thinking more conspiracy theory?

Maybe she's still ploughing through all that E.C. information on google!!!!!!

Just looking to see if the OP popped up again ?