Very anxious toddler refusing to potty train!

[IHaveADream14]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation to us?

DD is 2years 9months and is refusing to use the potty. She absolutely hates being without a nappy even as she gets undressed for the bath. She will cry hysterically until she's either in the bath or is covered up with a towel or something.

We've tried potty training twice. The first time was in the summer. She HATED being nappy free and cried hysterically begging for a nappy. We gave in and thought she probably wasn't ready. Fast forward to December, we tried again. We did three days and she insisted on wearing knickers rather than being nappy free. She had a couple of accidents on day 1 and 2 and didn't make it to the potty once. She ended up giving herself a water infection as she held on as much as possible during the three days. Again, we gave up.

She knows exactly what to do, we've ready all the books, tried sticker chart, bribery, loads of praise, take her to the toilet with us, little presents each time she sits on the potty (dressed) but nothing seems to be working. Her nappy is her safety blanket and I can't imagine her ever being without one the way things are going!

Does anyone have any advice? We're currently taking things slow and encouraging her to sit on the potty with clothes for now but I have no idea how we're going to manage going nappy free without making herself ill!!!

Bump

We're in a similar position although my DD is not quite as extreme with the nappy. Our nursery said just to wait, that she is not ready and will start to see all her peers doing it soon which may encourage her.

We've just bought a potty training book for her to see if that helps.

Just wait. She’s still little. There’s no prizes for potty training early. If it’s distressing her it will do more harm than good. At some point she’ll probably just decide she’d rather wear pants and that will be it.

She's not ready. You run the risk of giving her a negative association with the potty.

Back to nappies and don't mention it for a few months. Feel free to keep the potty out and to read the books etc, but don't try to actually use it.

She's still young and some children aren't ready until much much closer to 3. My son was days away from his 3rd birthday before it clicked for him.

Wait. No need to push it. I 'trained' dts at 3.1, it took two days, they were ready. I'm lazy, and couldn't be arsed with two peeing toddlers. Don't try to do nighttime, that is completely hormonal.

Agree with all the other posters - just wait. They’ll do it when they’re ready.
I have 4 children and all potty trained at different ages. They do it with no fuss when they’re ready - if it’s a battle and they’re getting upset then it just means they’re not ready.

In your case I'd definitely wait until DD is nearer 3 and try again. Potty training is much easier in warmer weather as not so many clothes to deal with.

I ha Arbus issue with my DS he really hated the potty and refused to sit on it for ages. We kept one next to the bath all the time and very slowly he started to use it before a bath, and then would get out in the middle of the bath and then after about a month we got him some pants with his favourite cartoon character on them & he likes wearing pants now!

He has only recently turned 3 though and the potty sat next to the bath gathering dust for about a year. So I'd say don't rush it, she will come round eventually. He first started using it by standing over it too he only recently starting sitting on jt.

Good luck!

We had similar with our little boy, he simply just wasn't ready. It took time to build his confidence up but one day he decided he wanted to wear pants at preschool and that was that. He was 3 and a couple of months, some might say it was late but it was right for him...he also never had an accident!

Thanks all. I appreciate your responses. We'll wait a bit longer

@itwasntaparty

I would love to hear your potty training journey with twins. Mine are 3 in three weeks and whilst they sit on the potty they do not wee or poo!