Should I potty train?

[lataraw]

21 month old - seems very ready - but what are the pros and cons of going "early" (I know it didn't used to be early, but do people delay now because its easier to keep them in nappies)? Obviously nappies are expensive! But also aware we'll spend our days carrying around a potty and dealing with occasional accidents! What's the best thing to do.

Yep, do it now while they're easier to deal with.

Occasional accidents is better than pooey nappies on a 3yo.

If they’re ready, then definitely go for it. My second DS virtually trained himself at 18 months, he copied his sibling and climbed on the toilet himself, never used a potty. When we went out we used pull-ups, but took them off as soon as we got home. Still put a nappy on bedtime, but he picked it up really easy. My first DS was good with having a wee, but it took a long time for him to do a 💩 he refused to use the potty, so we spent quite a lot of time in the bathroom with him sitting on the toilet.

Go for it. Why would you keep them in nappies longer?

Go for it.

Definitely go for it!

id recommend the oh crap book, you can get it off eBay for less than a fiver

and don't get sucked into buying expensive portable potties etc either unless you want to, mine potty trained at 22 months and 25 months and we never needed one

We potty trained at just over 2 and the only reason we would have struggled at 21 months is the gross motor skills to push their clothing down and the language skills to tell us. If those skills are there, go for it. If they aren’t, then work on those first.

Absolutely do it, DS trained at 22 months because he’d be copying his sister. Did it fully on day one so no regrets here. Yes he needed a little help with pulling trousers up and down at the start but small price to pay to not have to do nappies etc!

Would need to help with trousers I think but seems easier than nappies still

I would also add, do they wake up from their nap dry? That's a good sign they can hold it an hour or two and not need a pee every 30 mins

I've never got why doing their own trousers is seen as essential. Nice, and something to work on, of course, but you're going to have to help them wipe, make sure they wash their hands, and empty the potty. If they're otherwise capable, surely it doesn't really add much to help them with their pants and trousers for a few weeks or months.

when I potty trained my just turned 3 year old they couldn’t get their trousers up and down. Could only just manage when they started school.

I honestly would not hold them back because they aren't able to manage their clothes.
As long as they are able to tell you they need to toilet or potty.

Needing assistance in the bathroom is quite normal and a whole lot easier than the whole faff of nappies.

Absolutely go for it for it @lataraw!!

We went for it at 23 months and he was happily wondering around on his 2nd birthday in pants, no accidents! It was my brother's wedding a week after we started - I put a nappy on him just in case (one less thing to stress about!) but it was bone dry by the evening as he'd just gone on the potty each time he needed to go (we had a room and there was a potty in one of the bathrooms in the main bits too)

We did need to put the effort it - really watch for their cues, get to know their "rhythm" and what works for them/you. He did need help with trousers for a while and yes we carried a potty everywhere for ages. But it's still easier than changing nappies and he loved being"a big boy" and was excited to nail it, which made it so much easier than we expected.

Pros: they are easily led at this age, open to suggestion
no more (daytime at first) nappies
great for their development, independence and confidence
the older generation will approve as this is when they did it
they will be very reliability trained when it's time for pre-school or the older room at nursery when they like them trained
if it's doesn't work out and you have to try again in a few weeks then it's not a big deal at this age

cons: it may take a bit longer at this age
you'll probably need a little potty longer as they will be quite small for the toilet
it's cold at the moment so more clothing to change than if you waited till summer

Get the "Oh Crap" book. She thinks 20 months onwards is the perfect age.

I know 4 boys sucessfully trained at a similar age and I think my second could have been (we waited for summer), my oldest was difficult to train but I suspect we waited to long and she was too resistant and opinionated.

Yes! I started to train my daughter at 24 months when she showed signs of readiness - it took about 1 and half months to be fully pottytrained during the day and the other 1 and half for nightime.

I think a lot of people wait as it is messy, and they would rather just go from diaper to a pottytrained child.

I didn't mind the mess - I stopped diapers complitely from day one during the daytime. Had puppy training mats all over the house where she usually was spending time. When we were out, loads of change of clothes and travel potty.

I think potty training is easier when they are small.

I trained my youngest at that age after finding it tough with my eldest and I personally think it’s much easier than dealing with the stubbornness of a 2.5-3YO. Also, less pressure as you know if it doesn’t go to plan you can reset, go back to nappies and try again in a few months without a looming deadline of starting school nursery or anything like that.

As to your points about accidents and carrying a potty around: I’ve never taken a potty out of the house. Instead I had a folding toddler toilet seat that I kept in my bag, used that on real toilets instead and would just make an effort to find one about every hour when we were out. Newly trained kids usually have occasional accidents whether they’re 20 months or 3+ years. Always pack spare clothes and don’t worry about it.

Managing their clothes independently doesn’t matter because you’ll always be with them- if you waited until 2.5 it’s not like they’d be taking themselves to a public toilet and wiping after poo, so it’s irrelevant that they might need help to push trousers down. Physical readiness in terms of muscle control is linked to upright walking so there should be no issues there at 22 months. But you do need their language skills to be developed enough to communicate if they need to go and they need to be able to understand and follow a multi step instruction. If they can follow an instruction like get your shoes then get your coat, and they can communicate other needs like asking for a drink if thirsty then that’s all the signs of readiness that you need. So may as well give it a go!

@Username2809....at school!?

An update - we decided to go for it and 22 month old is now mostly potty trained. We need to prompt often but it's going really well

21m is not too young? It’s just under two… if they’re ready they’re ready!

I was waiting for some kind of sign that my DD was ready and my god I was in for a year and a half rollercoaster!

Sorry @lataraw I did not realise this was an old post! And I also second your disbelief at @Username2809what!