Potty Training
March 12, 2008 by Eliza Ferree
Filed under Baby Care
How young is too young to potty train? My last two that went through the potty training phase did so around 2 going on 3 years of age. My first, which was over 10 years ago learned at a young age but we constantly moved..in the end he was finally out of diapers at 3.
My youngest, which turns 1 on Friday, has been constantly taking off his diaper or getting out the diapers. At first I thought this was just a coincidence but every time he brings one his diaper is wet. So, does this mean he is ready?
Normally I have the answer to the younger ones, but they were much older and didn’t start this young. What would you do? How old were your kids when they began potty training?
I started putting my daughter on the potty when she was 8.5 months old. By the time she was 11 months, she was dry unless I wasn’t paying attention to her cues. I took her to the bathroom with me whenever I went and when she woke up or after she nursed. I read to her while she sat on her potty chair and made a big deal if she peed/pooped and said “Good girl for sitting on the potty” if she didn’t. I never really commented on accidents. I think having her feet on the floor made her more confident. Once she was out of diapers, she was surprised but not overly concerned to find herself wet (never dirty, thank goodness) and so I’m glad I hadn’t waited because it would have been hard to convince her being wet was an undesirable thing. I’d recommend that if your son wants his wet diaper off, you should teach him how to prevent them from getting that way. Good luck.
My first was almost trained at 23 months, but then we moved. It was a nightmare. I’ll spare you the drama. She was finally trained the week she turned 3. My second is 2 1/2. He demanded to be trained at 23 months, but has gone back and forth on his decision since then. He’s not trained, but he uses the potty about 4 times a day, which saves $ on diapers.
My son is 14 months (for another week…yikes!), and I am going to go buy him a potty chair this weekend. He has started showing an interest (pats his but during/after pooping, etc), but I don’t expect him to get the hang of it for over a year. If he goes on it, fine. If not, well, that’s fine too.
Take advantage of his obvious awareness of the after-potty sensation. 1yr is not too young to begin potty training.