Started toilet training this weekend... feel demoralised :(

[milfAKAmonkeymonkeymoomoo]

DD is 2.3mths and showed signs of being ready for toilet training:

-can get dressed/undressed on her own therefore can pull her pants/trousers up and down
-sits happily on the potty or toilet and knows what it is for
-lets me know if she has wee-ed or poo-ed
-loves her 'big girl' pants, prefers them over nappies
-wakes up after a two hour nap often with a dry nappy
-can go 2 hours without wee-ing during the day

Started training on Friday and we are not having much success, had all poos in the potty which is great but only because I sat her on the potty and not because she went of her own free will. Caught a few wees in the potty but again more luck than her understanding that she needed to go. Over three days she has had 4 wees in the potty Is this normal? How long does it take before they go of their own accord? How long should I give it before I decide whether this is working or not?

Sounds like you are both doing great.
This is still really early days and she is doing well from what you say.
Stick with it.

If she doesn't understand she needs to go and you're feeling demoralised then stop. She's still very young. Try again when the weather is better.

I was given some advice years ago when starting toilet training with DS.

As soon as you feel yourself getting stressed or worked up because of it then stop and try again later. Because your stress and tension will pass over to your child and it will have a negative effect on them at this quite important time.

I sont know how much truth there is in that comment but it kind of makes sense to me.

Having said that though, as nobodysfool said, it sounds like she's doing rather well .

My DD is 3 now and although she has been clean and dry for about 10 months it's only recently that she is confident enough to take herself off to the toilet by herself.

Try increasing the amount of liquid she takes in during the day, and ASK her if she needs the potty every 20 minutes - ask her to try to do a wee. She needs to start associating the feeling of a full bladder with using the potty. At first you are going to have to be responsible for asking her to use the potty.

I have done toilet raining with DS1 and am just coming though it with DS2 (age 2.10) and recall the first stage being a bit like this:

First few days - rubbish, with a few random wees/poos in the potty due to sheer luck and/or me knowing when they are likely to do a wee/poo

Sometime in - DC has ability to wee "on demand" and so you can get them to "go" at regular intervals to avoid accidents

Sometime after that (maybe much later) - DC has ability to know when they need a wee/poo and tell me in time to get to potty

Later still - DC goes to toilet/potty on their own.

So I think your DD is doing fine! I recall it being the worst few days of my life at first...

Thanks everyone, that is really helpful - some great words of wisdom My problem is I'm not very patient so I have to work hard not to expect lots too soon! But we have had a great day today, only one wee accident and 4 wees and 2 poos in the potty. we even went out to the park for a little while The only problem now is DD is addicted to chocolate buttons, may have to think of a new reward if this is a one of!