potty training - when to start?

[Sausagegirl]

My mother is sticking her oar in again and saying that as my daughter is 18 months I should really start potty training.
Personally, i think it's at least 6 months too early. She's a bit of a late developer and isn't really talking much and I'd like to wait until she can at least say wee or poo!
My sister-in-law says the older the child the easier it is.
All thoughts and advice welcome, especially from people who think my mum is wrong!!

[devilwoman]

do what you think is right, you know your own child, go with your own instincts, i always started mine at just over a year old, but it was hard work and i was cleaning poo and wee off my carpet daily for at least eighten months. i soppose it helps if the child can communicate verbally, and maybe just maybe if you wait untill the child is older it may make the task easier, and maybe not. good luck whatever you decide.

[RDP]

My advice would be don't start until they show some interest in the subject themselves. I basically tried to force my child to potty train when he was 19 months, and it was a disaster. He is now 6 years old, and still terrible at going to the toilet. He hates to go in public toilets and at school etc, restaurants and all sorts, so it's a nightmare, and I think it was all because I rushed to potty train him. So, wait until your child starts to show an interest, and take notice of what's going on in their nappy !!!

[xanderma]

You're right to wait at least until she can speak!! All of my children were 2 1/2 to 3 years old before they came out of nappies, they were all late developers, and I didn't see the point of cleaning up after them for ages when they clearly weren't ready! There will always be someone who knows 'better' than you, just ignore them and do what is right for you and your daughter. As my very wise Health Visitor once said to me, none of them are wearing nappies on their first day at school, they'll all be sorted before then - you have PLENTY of time!

[ganesh]

A lot of nurseries/playschools won't take them till they are potty trained.I started mine at 2yrs old and they learnt immediately. Doing it too early just confuses them and I think if it doesn't work straight away,then leave it for a few months.

[xanderma]

Ganesh, I agree, I've come across many nurseries and playgroups that won't take children who aren't potty trained. But surely this constitutes discrimination?? I've never understood how they get away with this. Any thoughts, anyone?

[unruliejulie]

I waited until my son was 2 and then started. I knew he just wasnt ready before this point in time. I had him clean and dry day and night within 3 weeks. It pays to wait that little bit longer or i think you can set them back a bit if they're not quite ready. My mother in law said i should start at 18 months in a roundabout way,but i ignored her this time. Each child is an individual though with individual needs and you are the one who knows your child best so do what you feel is right, not what mum says. Best of Luck! X

[ganesh]

I think I can understand nursery teachers not wanting to change nappies,they have better things to do.Especially as most of them take them at 2yrs 6months which is really when they should be potty trained don't you think? If they're not ready for that then they are probably not ready for nursery!

[spudqueen]

When you were a baby were you in terry nappies? I think in those days they did try and potty train babies as soon as possible so they wouldn't have all those nappies to wash. Not that I think it worked that well, there must have been lots of little 'accidents'! I know that my Mum was very proud that she started potty training me at 8 (yes - eight) months old. She used to sit me on a potty until I did something! At that age I think it was more likely the cold making me do something - I doubt VERY much that I was capable of being potty trained at that age!

[JOEYGREEN]

I started my little boy at 2 years old too. Don't be pushed into anything - you are the mother and you know what's best for your daughter.

[rachaelersk]

I started my little girl early due to a friend, like your mum keeping on about her child of the same age already doing it. I did try from about 1 1/2 and it was a disaster, causing us both stress, upset and soiled carpet!!! I then decided to ignore the friend and do my own thing, leaving potty training till she was just over 2. I think she was 2 yrs 3 months and she did it within a week, it was soo easy, and my friends child was still having accidents long after mine was done and dusted. Advice wait until a bit older then it will happen really easy and quick :0)

[Le Chat]

My first son was 20 months and the second 2 yrs 5 months. With son no.1, we went on holiday and our apartment had a large veranda with a grid in the middle of it. He was running around naked and we noticed that when he wanted a wee, he would do it in the grid! So he had the control and the ability...when we got home, we did the same with the potty. It was plain sailing. Had we not had been on that holiday, I would never have even considered that he was ready to use the toilet himself!
Second son - At about 2yrs 4 months, the weather was warm, so I repeated the above, with a potty in the garden, and eventually he started doing the same as his big bro had with the grid!!
What I am saying, in a long winded way is they are ready when they are ready and that is the practical reality. Yourmother should back off - there's enough pressure in bringing up little ones without this type of unhelpful manipulation!!

[boofy]

My 2 girls were both about 3 1/2 when they started using the toilet. Neither were interested in the potty,just made mess and got upset so I ignored everyone who nagged,stuck my head down and let them get on with it.I used to leave the toilet door open so they could see what i was doing (the boyfriend didn't really appreciate that bit!) and they both sat on it one day, did a wee and that was it.Knickers 2 days later,dry nights 3 days after lift off.Trust your kids, they will do what they feel comfortable and when they feel happy.You're their mum, everyone else should butt out.

[klondike118]

my lad is 2 and he is half way there they will do it when there are ready my lad knows when he as a wee and poo but he as not got the hang of taking his undrepants off before he does it just take time? and she will do it when she is ready ?

klondike.