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Clumsybashful · 2023-03-28T19:10:19+00:00

Potty training! Me and DH work full time and really want to potty train our 2.5 year old. We gave the Oh Crap method a go back in December but found the temperature and the general routine quite gruelling. We don't have a lot of time all together but were thinking of trying again over the long Easter weekend. I'm so reluctant because I'd love to spend this time unwinding a bit and enjoying our time as a family. I wondered if anyone had tips for more gradual methods?

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IHateLegDay · 28/03/2023 20:15

After trying oh crap, my eldest was genuinely traumatised (refused to be without clothes for months and we had to bathe her in a swim nappy) and in the end, the only thing that worked was telling her the nappy fairy had come to take the nappies away and give them to a new baby so she had to use the potty like a big girl. She was potty trained with no problems that day.
We did the same with dd2 and it worked for her as well.

lordspikey · 28/03/2023 20:52

Following for tips!

I'm planning on doing it Easter weekend too with my just turned 2 year old.

She's definitely ready because she tells me when she's done a poo and if her nappy is heavy with wee she'll ask me to change her.

I've been washing her on the toilet during nappy changes but haven't yet taken the nappy away.

I was going to use the 3 day method, I haven't heard of the oh crap one. Will have to Google.

zakimasood · 29/03/2023 08:21

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MariaDingbat · 29/03/2023 15:00

Can I join too? My 2 year old daughter's nursery is closed the week after Easter so we're going to try then. She tells us when she has done a poo and seems keen on getting out of nappies. I've got a carry potty and a seat insert and am otherwise open to any and all advice! We were advised on the oh crap method by the heath visitor but I'm dubious. What went wrong with those who have tried it?

tulipsunday · 29/03/2023 15:12

I haven't read the oh crap method so don't know how similar/not this is but what worked for us recently was the following -

Days leading up to potty training introduce potty read books about the potty etc was already used to sitting on the toilet seat before bath. Talked about mummy/daddy using the toilet. Positive chat about wees/poos etc!

Days 1 and 2 - indoors just in pants. Remind every 30mins to try. Potty on puppy pad to mop up any leaks. Stickers as reward

Day 3 - little outing out eg park still reminding but encouraging him to notice when he feels he needs a wee. My carry potty was very helpful

Then just continued from there. Son was a bit older (2yrs 10 months). Good luck

TheBirdintheCave · 29/03/2023 15:16

We're going to try with our son over Easter and see how it goes too :) I'm a bit scared! Haha.

smizing · 29/03/2023 15:17

I personally don't recommend all those online methods such as oh crap etc. I found them too rigid. Just go with the flow and be patient. We tried so hard to potty train DS for 2 years using all kinds of methods. They never worked so we just left it. Picked it up again a few weeks ago. We just went naked for a week and by the following week he was dry, even at night. He's almost 4 now.

Teapleasemilknosugar · 29/03/2023 15:27

I don't even know what the Oh Crap method is, didn't read a single book or resource about any of it and just went for it one ordinary weekend when we didn't have plans 😂🤷

We reached a point a while before with my (then) toddler 2y3m fighting and wrestling nappy changes, so we just spontaneously ditched the nappies upon getting up one Saturday morning. Toddler was bare bummed but dressed on the top half. We had a couple of 'oh, wet feet' accidents on that day (day 1), less on day 2, had a little outing to the local park and needed a quick change there after an accident. Day 3 was a full 10hr nursery day, commando underneath jogging bottoms, and we sent a giant bag of spare clothes expecting so many accidents but toddler smashed the day and had zero accidents. The next few days had one or two accidents but otherwise was ok. Within a couple of weeks toddler was having no accidents and was telling us when they needed the potty. Week 2 they started witholding bowel movements so we started a little Lactulose on pharmacy recommendation and watched 'Poo Goes to Pooland' on YouTube which massively helped that aspect. One month on and the toddler now takes themselves to the potty and yells out "but you need to wipe my bum!" After each successful use of the potty we do a little potty dance - didn't want to bother with stickers or rewards because what if we're out and forgot them? And the cost. And toddler has loads of stickers for their play and crafts anyway. We got a koo-di oopsie do protecter for the pushchair and car seat (recommended by our carseat manufacturer - I emailed them to ask) and a My Carry Potty too for out and about (and downstairs as we don't have a bathroom downstairs). We've had 1hr car journeys and car naps but no accidents there either. Next job will be to introduce underwear. But that's about it!

I just think toddler was totally ready so it didn't feel like any extra work really. No gruelling routine or the like.

Good luck

MNHQ

RachMumsnet · 05/04/2023 12:40

Hi @Clumsybashful
Hope the potty training is going well! If you haven't stocked up on a potty yet or are looking to try an alternative, we have a handy guide to the best potties and toilet training seats that might be useful. It features products that Mumsetters rate and recommend. Good luck with it!

Best Potties, Potty Chairs and Toilet Training Seats for Toddlers 2023 | Mumsnet

Mumsnet makes parents' lives easier by pooling knowledge, advice and support on everything from conception to childbirth, from babies to teenagers.

https://www.mumsnet.com/swearsby/best-potties

TheBirdintheCave · 05/04/2023 12:44

How's everyone getting on? We start on Friday and have been discussing it lots with our son. I'm equal parts excited and scared 😂

lordspikey · 05/04/2023 15:15

Really wanted to start on Friday but DH has made plans with extended family, so potty training will be postponed until the next bank holiday weekend 😭

Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 16:02

TheBirdintheCave · 05/04/2023 12:44

How's everyone getting on? We start on Friday and have been discussing it lots with our son. I'm equal parts excited and scared 😂

Not as painful as I thought it would be! Good luck 🤞

@lordspikey we just went for it one regular weekend. Good luck for when you do start!

TheBirdintheCave · 05/04/2023 16:04

@Teapleasemilknosugar Good to hear! And thanks :D Fortunately my parents are coming down to stay for the next few weeks so we will have loads of help.

jeepjeep4 · 05/04/2023 18:33

Day 2 here of trying with our 3 year old. Two accidents yesterday, two today. Determined to carry on though and be rid of daytime nappies

Original poster

Clumsybashful · 05/04/2023 18:36

I'm really worried it's just not going to sink in at all. Hoping to start tomorrow so I mentioned it to him today and he had no understanding of what I meant...

OP posts:

Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 19:12

TheBirdintheCave · 05/04/2023 16:04

@Teapleasemilknosugar Good to hear! And thanks :D Fortunately my parents are coming down to stay for the next few weeks so we will have loads of help.

I think I'd have been more stressed with my parents around at the same time too! 🙈

Ihatebloodycocomelon · 05/04/2023 19:29

Who are all these children who are potty trained in 3 days? It took us the better part of 6 months with a very stubborn 2/3 year old!

I heard the cocomelon potty training song many MANY times!

Hopefully yours is one of these mythical children! Good luck!

thattravelphotographer · 05/04/2023 19:33

Hi all, joining this journey with you all but keen to hear your thoughts.

My DD is 2 and 9 months, nursery been saying for ages she's ready but I wasn't convinced. She will happily sit on a dirty nappy all day, and will tell you she hasn't done a poo when she clearly has. However she can fully articulate how to use a potty and tell you all the stages etc so thought we try.

Day 1 - at home. Wet herself twice, did a poo on my kitchen floor but then did two wees in the potty
Day 2 - at nursery. Didn't wee all day! Refused to use the potty at nursery and then wet herself as soon as we got to the car to come home
Day 3 - at home. Kept sitting on the potty asking why nothing was coming out. Wet herself twice.
Today - at home and hasn't wee'd once despite drinking like a fish

Do I give up because she is clearly not ready? Or is this all normal so I need to persevere?

Original poster

Clumsybashful · 07/04/2023 06:59

thattravelphotographer · 05/04/2023 19:33

Hi all, joining this journey with you all but keen to hear your thoughts.

My DD is 2 and 9 months, nursery been saying for ages she's ready but I wasn't convinced. She will happily sit on a dirty nappy all day, and will tell you she hasn't done a poo when she clearly has. However she can fully articulate how to use a potty and tell you all the stages etc so thought we try.

Day 1 - at home. Wet herself twice, did a poo on my kitchen floor but then did two wees in the potty
Day 2 - at nursery. Didn't wee all day! Refused to use the potty at nursery and then wet herself as soon as we got to the car to come home
Day 3 - at home. Kept sitting on the potty asking why nothing was coming out. Wet herself twice.
Today - at home and hasn't wee'd once despite drinking like a fish

Do I give up because she is clearly not ready? Or is this all normal so I need to persevere?

Sounds ok to me!

We did our first day yesterday and got nowhere.

My DS is 2.5 year old. He did 3 wees all on the floor yesterday and honestly I don't have high hopes for the weekend. I'm not sure whether I have the right attitude or not and whether being in a fairly calm headspace helps right now but I feel like as long as I keep putting the groundwork in, I'm not to worried if the progress is slow. If I get one wee in the potty at all this weekend I will be over the moon!

OP posts:

TheBirdintheCave · 07/04/2023 07:39

@Clumsybashful I hope it goes better today!

I feel like we have a bit of a head start as my son has been successfully using the potty or toilet first thing in the morning for months now. I think the tricky part will be connecting the idea that he has to use it every time he has to go now.

We shall see! Potty training day one commences.

BettyBoopy · 07/04/2023 07:53

smizing · 29/03/2023 15:17

I personally don't recommend all those online methods such as oh crap etc. I found them too rigid. Just go with the flow and be patient. We tried so hard to potty train DS for 2 years using all kinds of methods. They never worked so we just left it. Picked it up again a few weeks ago. We just went naked for a week and by the following week he was dry, even at night. He's almost 4 now.

Totally agree. No need for such rigid rules and schedules. My older two were fully trained even at night over about a week. Stay close to home for a few days, regular reminders and lots of praise. I'm starting with my youngest (2yrs 9 months) next week.

TheBirdintheCave · 07/04/2023 08:51

Going ok so far! He did his regular poo in the potty upstairs and then, when we went down for breakfast, sat on the downstairs potty without prompting and did a wee. I was shocked! I'm going to run out of stickers very soon 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Setfiretotherain1 · 07/04/2023 17:10

Can I join please? Day #1 of potty training DD (nearly 2.5), got off to a good start this morning with 2 wees in the potty but then loads of small accidents this afternoon… I’m actually wondering if being naked from the bottom down means it’s almost too easy to go, and if she’d be more uncomfortable in trousers… but I know that’s not the advice!

TheBirdintheCave · 07/04/2023 18:20

@Setfiretotherain1 Try the trousers if you think it might help her :) There are no rules really, just whatever you think would work for your child. You know her best :)

Setfiretotherain1 · 07/04/2023 18:43

True, thank you. I sometimes think the hardest bit about parenting is the second guessing yourself!