Potty training tips for FTM

[dabbitydibbity]

I'm a complete novice when it comes to potty training. I'm about to start this for my two year old and would love to know how to go about it in the best, most positive way. I have a real habit of stressing over new situations so I don't want this to impact on the experience for my child. Knowing step by step instructions would be incredibly useful. Has anyone out there got any pearls of wisdom?! Thanks in advance.

Read "potty training in one week" by Gina Ford.

DONT START UNTIL THE CHILD IS READY sorry to put that in capitals but it is the single most useful piece of advice I have been given and it is so so true.
After a couple of failed attempts before he was ready, we waited until DS was ready at nearly 3 and it has been a dream. So easy.

Thank you! I have read 'oh crap, potty training' and it seems really good. I found Gina Ford a bit boot camp military style for her content baby sleep book but the toilet training book may be better.
DS is definitely ready. He tells me every time he pees and poops. He also hates having his nappy on now so I don't want to miss the window of opportunity!

Oh I am not a Gina Ford fan at all in any other area of parenting. I didn't follow any routines or anything like that so I was very reluctant to read the potty training one. It was on a recommendation from here, and it is really good. It lists the readiness signs and gives you step by step instruction.

I've found when they are properly ready, you don't need to 'train' they just do it, no accidents (or very, very few) no having to carry a potty round, no keeping taking them to the toilet, no keeping reminding them, not having to stay in for days on end, no carrying spare clothes around, worrying they might have an accident etc.

Honestly it's so much easier when they are ready and literally no stress.

Being properly ready-

• able to recognise BEFORE they wee/poo and hold it in long enough to get to the toilet. Telling you as they wee/poo is different to this.
• able to pull bottoms up and down (may need help with buttons, etc) makes is so much easier as they can take themselves to the toilet.
• able to get on/off the toilet themselves (again makes it easier) you can get little steps/seats.
• big gaps between wees.
• able to wee on demand every time (so sit them on toilet and get them to wee, even if they can only get a little bit out).
• most importantly - they WANT to do it.

If you've read Oh Crap, your DS is more than ready if he's telling you and doesn't want a nappy. Clear as much free time as you can and go for it! Stick to the advice in the book rather than mixing methods and you'll be fine!

We tried once DDwas telling me while she was weeing and pooing. Two days with nothing whatsoever in the potty we gave up. A month later she said to me "I need a wee" and immediately did a wee in the potty. We started again and she got it straight away this time. Very few accidents, even poos I wasn't expecting her to get so quickly but it's been 3 weeks now and total accidents have been in single figures. Personally I would wait til he's telling you before he needs to go but either way a few days with no pants on and a couple of potties around close by where he's playing will tell you if it's going to go well or not.

So I went ahead and started yesterday. He was 50/50 potty to accidents so I ploughed on today and success! No accidents!! Even got poo in the potty which was great. It has clicked quickly. However, this has been without clothes. Tomorrow I will try loose shorts on him but I'm not hopeful of no accidents!

Great going! Definitely ready then. Guess girls have it slightly easier with nice loose dresses... can you make a game of pulling the shorts down... I was impressed how fast DD started just getting herself on the potty when she needed it, without asking or telling me. I just had to teach her to shout for me to wipe her!

That's a brilliant idea, making it a game! Will give that a go tomorrow. I know he is going to protest me trying to help by pulling them down for him. He has been running on to the potty until now but tomorrow I will need to make sure he reverses on to it because of his shorts going down to his ankles. Sheesh, I really didn't think there was so much thinking involved! Very exciting seeing your little one hit a new milestone tho.