Doesn't say he needs the toilet when out

[Holly146]

DS (2.5) only started potty training just over a week ago and it has mostly gone brilliantly. He got it straight away with no accidents at all in the first few days, and just took himself to the potty when he needed to go. He's also been dry overnight since starting.

However when we're out he doesn't say if he needs to go, and just starts going in his clothes 🙈 I've tried reminders, checking if he needs to go, keeping an eye out for signs, etc. but there's literally no warning! We go to the toilet before we leave, and when we get to wherever we're going, and he has happily used a few different public toilets, so that's not the issue.

He is behind on speech development, but has just started to put two words together and can say wee and poo. I remind him to tell me if he needs to go, and get him to rehearse what to say, which he does, but he's never asked to go (not an issue at home as he completely self-initiates).

Has anyone else experienced this, or have any ideas how to tackle it? Thank you!

Is it worth getting a carry potty to take with you so he it is visually there for him to see when you are out and about? You could get him to use it at home first for a bit so he associates it with going for a wee/poo then take it out and see if he asks to use it. I know it's an extra thing to have to carry about but often worth it if it avoids accidents.

Thank you @Nursemumma92 - we have got a travel potty and I've used it if we're staying in one place - e.g. put it in the corner of the room of someone else's house or put it in the garden if he's playing outside, and he's used it. But more tricky if we're going around a park / castle etc. as it would have to be in the bag so out of sight and he'd still have to ask to use it. Definitely worth a try though as he might be more likely to ask if he knows it's in the bag.

It has been just over a week, give it time, accidents are very normal part of potty training.
If you can stay at home a bit more that helps. Being out and about just makes it more disruptive for him, he has to learn to navigate this very new situation.
You will get there.