Pee withholding?

[Blackhandbag]

Dd is 2.10 years and has been showing all signs of being ready.

We started training on Friday (last week) and I decided after reading just to go straight into pants during the day and stay close to the house and offer stickers for anything in the potty.

She can hold on for hours! She can go up to 5 hours before peeing even though you know she's desperate from the way she's acting. Generally she gets to the point where she's so desperate it comes and I rush her to the potty and praise anything that goes in.

This is despite sitting her on the potty every 5 mins when she's desperate.

Where should I go from here?

Anyone have any advice on where to go

[Blackhandbag]

Thank you all! That's really reassuring, I thought I might be told to stop, that she's maybe not ready but I am sure she is!

I am going to try and be a bit more relaxed about it all I think. I was in the kitchen earlier when I heard her shouting 'help me', ran through in a panic to find her mid pee (not on the potty) and not sure what to do. I think she's perhaps a bit nervous about the whole thing and maybe a bit scared to not get it right.

So we will hang in there - thanks!

[bronya]

It came with time with my DS. He'd got so good at holding on, that he'd forgotten how to let go. Initially getting him to sit on the potty watching something that would take his full attention worked, because he forgot about holding on and went. Then one day he just figured it out, and spent a good 20 min squeezing out a bit at a time, jumping up, being pleased with himself, then doing a bit more a little later. Now we're working on the happy medium between the two. I figure there's time, help where I can and don't stress about the odd accident. He also went through a phase where he just sat on the potty all the time so as not to have an accident. 3 weeks after the start, he takes himself to it, goes then gets up again.

[IShallCallYouSquishy]

My DD 2.2 started 2 weeks ago. She would hold it all morning and afternoon until the nap/bedtime nappy went on. Over past week she's done a wee late morning and another after dinner so still withholding. I was really worried but yesterday/today it clicked and she's been weeing several times (7 today!) a day in the potty and even telling us she wants to go.

Hang in there it will click!

[Blackhandbag]

Great advice, thank you.

I've been very positive over accidents, 'don't worry..' Etc. I might try and be a little less enthusiastic and reinforce that pee goes in the potty.

[OutragedFromLeeds]

Maybe try giving her more autonomy. Have the potty out and offer it occasionally, but don't force her to sit on it. If she has an accident, then she needs to go and get herself some clean pants etc. If she has an accident take an 'oh dear' approach i.e. don't tell her it doesn't matter, but don't be angry either, just 'oh that's not good the floor is wet!' and then lots of praise when she does go.

If she's holding it for hours then she is physically in control and therefore ready to train, you just need to work on persuading her that the potty is the right place for it to go!

You could also try the toilet, like a big girl. Maybe take her when you go or send her with a big sister if she has one.