21 month old seems ready?

[Firsttimemum0558]

I have a 21 month old DS, obviously he’s still in nappies. A few times now when he’s been walking round naked, before bath or about to get him dressed etc, he’ll walk himself to his potty and use it.
should I start trying to potty train him? How do people potty train when their toddler can’t tell them they need to go? He can use a few words but even when prompted he still won’t say any words like wee poo potty etc, is it still doable if he can’t communicate it to me?
if he’s showing signs to be ready I don’t want to ignore it but just trying to figure out how it would be possible!

It’s great that he’s using it at home and it’s being introduced gently so it doesn’t become a big deal - that’ll make your life easier when he is ready!

He needs to be able to communicate a need to you first- does he ask for a drink if thirsty, a jumper if cold or anything like that yet? He also needs to know the word potty or toilet, or anything that would communicate that specific need. Otherwise you could be ok at home when he can take himself but he’d never be able to tell you when you’re out. Using the loo is also a multi step process so I’d be looking for ability to follow 2 step instructions- if you tell him to tidy his cars then get his shoes (for example) could he do it?

My daughter is 18 months and has very few words but is able to communicate her needs for the potty very well by grunting when she needs a poo 😂 and tugging at her pants for a wee. So perfectly possible with no words. Just teach him either a sign or a noise to go with it. Maybe “sssss” for wee and “uuuuhhh” for poo or whatever works for him

He does ask for a drink or a snack when he wants one, or points to his coat or hat etc, and he knows what the potty is when I mention it but can’t say it.
he can follow some 2 step instructions albeit not many, so maybe I’ll just let him continue using it as and when he wants to at home and just let him lead the way. Thank you!

You’re probably not far off then! He doesn’t necessarily need to say ‘potty’ but just has to have some way of getting that point across that is clear enough that it would also work for any other caregivers and be clear in any scenario e.g. can’t be pointing because he’s not always going to know where the toilet is and if he’s playing in another room or the soft play enclosure or wherever not directly in your line of sight then he’d need to come up to you (or dad, or the childminder) and not just grunt or whatever to himself. You’re best placed to know whether or not that’s something he’s capable of. My view is that I’d rather train a 2YO quickly than a 1.5YO slowly but that’s completely up to you!