22 month old- too early?

[Ed1n]

First baby and would really appreciate your thoughts. For the last few months he can tell you as he is doing a poo and sometimes a wee. He is showing interest in what happens in the toilet (or his baby sister's nappy!). He is sometimes dry overnight if slept deeply. He has had a few accidents with poo in the bath and gets really distressed, poor guy.

However, he is generally quite uncooperative- loves saying no etc, so I'm not sure he is emotionally ready to spend time on the potty or be consistent.

Leave it for six months? Try and see? I'd be grateful for any thoughts - was going to buy the "Oh Crap" books unless any other recommendations. Thanks

oops he's 21 months .... very nearly

I'm currently training my 18mo using the OC method. Personally I'd go for it, give it a proper go for two weeks (with at least 4/5 days of you being at home, no work/nursery) and then evaluate.

@T0rt0ise thanks for replying. How it going with your wee one?

He sounds ready. My boy was trained within 3 days of starting on his second birthday. He was just ready and 'got it' straight away.

My DD however took about a month to stop having the odd accident. It took about six months for her to stop holding her poo in until nighttime nappies!

They're all different. Give it a go

Thanks @legalseagull. I worry because he’s hit a really tricky “no” phase and I’m not sure I’d get him on board in his current mindset! I read it’s bad to stop and start but surely not end of world if I try and it doesn’t work?

People put waaaay too much thought it to it. I started with my DD and she was 'no' before getting proper hysterical. Everyone kept telling me to carry on, but I stopped on day 4. I started again a month later and she got it. There's nothing wrong with giving them the gist of it but allowing breaks IMO

Put him in pants (or naked from the waist down) at home for a few days, nappies going out and at night. If he looks like he's starting to twig it then roll with it. Repeat every month or two until they're ready. Some are ready that young some not. Whatever tricks people tell you will only work if they're ready. (Which he could well be)

I think 'giving it a proper go' and cancelling all plans for half a week outs so much unnecessary stress on both of you.

I did the oh crap method with ours at 21m and she got it very quickly. Our second wasn't ready at that age (gave it a few days) so we tried again at 25m and she was fine

Yes I like oh crap, but the negative bit is the strong messages about don’t go back under any circumstances, or if you’ve left it after x time then the sky will fall in, etc - bit pressurising.

Although that said, I think there is a lot to be said with just forging forth once you’ve started, so the expectations are clear - know a few friends whos wee ones have gotten confused by nappies when out etc.

But I started OC at a similar age to you and it did take DD quite a long time to be reliable, months not weeks. She got poos immediately but wees were harder. DD2 I waited longer based on this, she was over 2.5yrs, and was reliable within a few weeks.

I’d say, how much can you be arsed?!! It’s quite intense in my experience, emotionally draining, and all the washing etc. Go for it if you are up for it but no harm in waiting a while.