Potty training success story!

[GetDownYouWillFall]

Just wanted to encourage you really. I was really dreading potty training, and have been "putting it off" even though DD (2.3) was showing all the right "signs"

Last weekend she had really bad nappy rash so saturday afternoon we decided to leave the nappy off.

She did a poo in the potty which was great!

Then sunday we decided to put her in pants. Went for a little walk in the morning and she had an accident. Was quite upset but we made light of it.

Then she refused to go ALL day! Would not even wee in her pants. Just kept asking for a nappy! It was awful to see her going through this, being so desperate to go, but I didn't want to give in as this would have associated the relief of going with wearing of the nappy.

Finally, 8 HOURS LATER she did a wee in the potty! Hurrah! I am just SO glad I didn't put a nappy on her!

She has not had an accident since - 7 days on!

I really believe in Gina Ford's book - once you have decided to do it, don't go back into nappies. A few accidents helps them to "learn" what it feels like to be wet.

Hi, so pleased all has gone well for you. At what point did you venture out? Car and buggy trips worry me. We're on day 3 of pt and DS is doing really well. I'm prompting him a little and he's also doing on potty by self. Should I wait till we've gone a whole day with virtually no prompting? Got a long car journey on thursday evening (3hrs) and not sure how to tackle it.

Any pointers?

hi bumbums (great name BTW!)

Well we ventured out on day 2 but only to the end of the road where there is a grassy area (had to walk the dog you see!)

That is when she had her accident. However I really believe that one or two accidents is actually a good thing as it teaches them what it feels like to be wet.

That is why it's best they are wearing pants / trousers rather than naked, so they can feel the wetness on their skin and be a bit uncomfortable IYSWIM.

Can you go out for a little walk tomorrow with no nappy and see how it goes?

I would really refrain from putting a nappy back on for your car journey as that will really undermine all the excellent hard work you have done so far.

Sit him on a "special cushion" (as Gina Ford recommends) in his car seat. He will not want to get it wet. Even if he does it can be shoved in the wash and the car seat will be protected. He should be able to hold his bladder for 3 hrs but you might want to schedule a brief "potty stop" somewhere along the way if you don't think he can manage it.

HTH

You can purchase special inserts for car seats which are easily washed and dried, get two so whilst one is being washed one can be used.
All the usual websites for babycare sell them.

I also agree that having an accident and getting wet is part of the learning process for a child. Ds1 and 2 didn't "get" the whole potty thing until they had both soaked their legs by having an accident and at that point they then twigged.