How did you potty train your child

I would love to hear individual stories.

How old was your DC?
Boy or a Girl?
How long did it take?
Did you put them right into underwear - full time?
Did they train first to pee - and then poop?
What do you do when you are out and about and your little one has to go to the bathroom - if there are none around (I'm thinking along the lines of long car rides)

What do you do when they have an accident? Do you get stern? Is it ok? What's the protocol for that?

Does your DC drink alot? Jack has a drink in his hand all day long. Do I need to start to cut this down a bit?

I think he really is ready to be trained - moreso than I am. He even pulled off his diaper today and ran to the bathroom.

DH and I will be doing full on potty training over the Feb. break when he is home - because I honestly can't do it by myself with Tyler home. I need another pair of hands (and eyes!)

ETA: Do you cut them off from drinking at a certain time of night?

Message edited 1/23/2010 4:59:39 PM.

Re: How did you potty train your child

Diana....the best advice I can give you is to go straight to underwear!! When I was potty training, I had Ant in pull ups and he was 95% potty trained. I knew he knew to go pee pee and poop on the potty and couldnt figure out why he was still having accidents. I threw out all of his pull ups and only put on underwear. NEVER had an accident again! I asked him why and he told me " because I knew the diaper would save the pee"

To answer the part about being out and nowhere to pee?!?!? Ha, we were just out and Ant had to pee. DH took him behind a building. We were desperate and the boy had to pee



ETA: Don't get mad or stern if accidents occur. It will only scare and discourage them. If he has an accident, just take him to the bathroom and show him that he had to use the potty.

Message edited 1/23/2010 4:59:02 PM.

Re: How did you potty train your child

Posted by Sweets13

Diana....the best advice I can give you is to go straight to underwear!! I had Ant in pull ups and he was 95% potty trained. I knew he knew to go pee pee and poop on the potty and couldnt figure out why he was still having accidents. I threw out all of his pull ups and only put on underwear. NEVER had an accident again! I asked him why and he told me " because I knew the diaper would save the pee"

To answer the part about being out and nowhere to pee?!?!? Ha, we were just out and Ant had to pee. DH took him behind a building. We were desperate and the boy had to pee

Re: How did you potty train your child

How old was your DC? Both my boys were about 3 yrs. DD was 2 yrs, 3 mths

Boy or a Girl? 2 boys 1 girl

How long did it take? First boy was awhile, 6 mths. Then when I laid off, he trained 2 weeks later. DD trained herself (God Bless her!), DS #2, I didn't push it as early as DS #1, when he was almost 3 I just told him, let's wear underwear, he said OK and he trained in a day.

Did you put them right into underwear - full time? Right away as soon as they were consistently using the toilet at home

Did they train first to pee - and then poop? Both boys pretty much trained pee & poop at the same time. DD took longer to poop train, maybe another month or so.


What do you do when you are out and about and your little one has to go to the bathroom - if there are none around (I'm thinking along the lines of long car rides)

I have a Potty on the Go seat which you buy bags for. It's the best, esp with a girl but my boys have pooped in it too in an emergency. It's a lot easier than dragging 3 kids into a store when you are on the road. I also have an old water bottle (the kind you buy with a wide neck, not a spring water bottle) and if my boys have an emergency, they could use that too.

My DD is the pee-er in the family though, my boys are great with waiting. I wouldn't get mad if there's an accident. I did a couple times with my firstborn but I learned my lesson, he really couldn't help it, even if he was 10 steps from the bathroom. Accidents are generally not on purpose when they're little. I would just put him in underwear, he prepared for accidents, and give him lots of praise. Once you put him in underwear, keep going. Don't switch back to a diaper except for at night and when you put one on at night, tell him that it's only for night. And if he hasn't gone for awhile, have him go. Also, my DS #1 trained from day 1 standing. DS #2 looked pertrified when I tried to get him to stand so he sat for at least 3 months. One day he just started standing and doing it on his own, so try to take cues from what they are comfortable with and it will go a lot easier. It's really more of an art than a science, but they eventually get it and you will be happier than the day he took his first steps. Trust me on that one. Good luck with it. Just try not to sweat it, he will get it.

Re: How did you potty train your child

Re: How did you potty train your child

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by Sweets13



ETA: Don't get mad or stern if accidents occur. It will only scare and discourage them. If he has an accident, just take him to the bathroom and show him that he had to use the potty.

So, basically you're telling me I have to train my kid the same way I trained the dog!

Re: How did you potty train your child

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by Sweets13

Diana....the best advice I can give you is to go straight to underwear!! I had Ant in pull ups and he was 95% potty trained. I knew he knew to go pee pee and poop on the potty and couldnt figure out why he was still having accidents. I threw out all of his pull ups and only put on underwear. NEVER had an accident again! I asked him why and he told me " because I knew the diaper would save the pee"

To answer the part about being out and nowhere to pee?!?!? Ha, we were just out and Ant had to pee. DH took him behind a building. We were desperate and the boy had to pee

Did you find that it took him longer to poop on the potty? I've heard this happening for alot of kids.

Re: How did you potty train your child

How old was your DC? CADEN WAS JUST SHY OF 2 1/2

Boy or a Girl? BOY

How long did it take? HONESTLY A DAY TO GET HIM TO KNOW WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSE TO DO. HE STILL HAS AN OCCASSIONAL ACCIDENT BUT HE IS ESSENTIALLY TRAINED>

Did you put them right into underwear - full time? UNDERWEAR EXCEPT FOR SCHOOL.

Did they train first to pee - and then poop? PEE WAS FIRST. THEN POOP. THEY HAVE TO SIT AWHILE FOR POOP AND HE DIDNT WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO GO. ADDITIONALLY HE WAS GETTING FARTS AND POOPING MIXED UP.

What do you do when you are out and about and your little one has to go to the bathroom - if there are none around (I'm thinking along the lines of long car rides). HASNT HAPPENED YET.

What do you do when they have an accident? Do you get stern? Is it ok? What's the protocol for that? DEPENDS UPON WHY THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. IF IT'S OUT OF LAZINESS THEN IM VERY STERN. DH FORGOT TO PUT A DIAPER ON HIM FOR BED LAST NIGHT AND OF COURSE HE PEED. DS WAS VERY UPSET THAT HE WAS WET. WE TOLD HIM IT WAS OK AND HE GOT HUGS...KWIM?

Does your DC drink alot? Jack has a drink in his hand all day long. Do I need to start to cut this down a bit? I WOULD CUT DOWN A BIT YES.

I think he really is ready to be trained - moreso than I am. He even pulled off his diaper today and ran to the bathroom.

DH and I will be doing full on potty training over the Feb. break when he is home - because I honestly can't do it by myself with Tyler home. I need another pair of hands (and eyes!)

ETA: Do you cut them off from drinking at a certain time of night? NO...I DONT EXPECT HIM TO BE TRAINED AT NIGHT YET I GUESS...

Re: How did you potty train your child

I didn't! He never showed any signs, when we did try to do it, he just wee'd on the floor and was miserable. And literally one day he woke up, did a wee on the potty and was potty trained, this was about 6 weeks before his 4th Birthday, and since then he has only had 3 accidents and is completely potty trained. My philosophy is don't push a kid who isn't interested or ready to be pushed, and don't react badly to accidents! Once he did one wee on the potty he was straight into underwear!

haven't cut off drinking at night because he is still in pull ups at night! Good luck!

Re: How did you potty train your child

What happens if they still can't get their pants up and down yet on their own? DD hasn't mastered this yet.

She peed and pooped on the potty about 3 months ago and peed again last month. Now nothing, but she does tell me after she pees and poops in her diapers so I guess it's a sign.

I'd love to have her potty trained before the new baby comes in April (she'll be 2.5) but not sure if it will happen.

Re: How did you potty train your child

Great post...because I am lost on how to do this! I was hoping he would just wake up one day and go on the potty himself

Re: How did you potty train your child

Re: How did you potty train your child

How old was your DC? DD was 20 months and 2nd DD was 24 months

Boy or a Girl? Girls

How long did it take? about 1 - 3 weeks

Did you put them right into underwear - full time? YES!! I made the mistake of buying pull-ups the first time with DD and she finally got the hang of it after I put her in underwear full-time.

Did they train first to pee - and then poop? YES - pee then poop.

What do you do when you are out and about and your little one has to go to the bathroom - if there are none around (I'm thinking along the lines of long car rides) portable potty in car or if im at the mall, store, mcdonalds - just use public bathroom - even a rest stop!

What do you do when they have an accident? Do you get stern? Is it ok? What's the protocol for that? I try to make them acknowledge their mistake - and remind them that they have to do peepee in the potty. I also did rewards (favorite cookie, candy) - I also stressed the fact that they were in underwear at home so I was prepared for accidents and after a while they would start to tell when if they did peepee or if they had to go to the bathroom.

Does your DC drink alot? Jack has a drink in his hand all day long. Do I need to start to cut this down a bit? I wouldn't cut down - make sure he drinks lots of fluids - it will make the process go along much quicker because you will find he will have to do potty alot more frequently.

I think he really is ready to be trained - moreso than I am. He even pulled off his diaper today and ran to the bathroom.

DH and I will be doing full on potty training over the Feb. break when he is home - because I honestly can't do it by myself with Tyler home. I need another pair of hands (and eyes!)

ETA: Do you cut them off from drinking at a certain time of night?
I didn't stress the night time drinking or staying dry. I was more concerned with her being day trained in the beginning. When they mastered that - I started thinking about night time training.

Good luck.

Re: How did you potty train your child

Re: How did you potty train your child

How old was your DC? 27 months when we started...but went on forever

Boy or a Girl? boy

How long did it take? 6-7 mos

Did you put them right into underwear - full time? yeah, tried that. doubled up on thick underwear. after a few weeks went to pull ups...was losing my mind

Did they train first to pee - and then poop?
peeing wasn't an issue. pooping is a whole different ball game with this kid. he only pees standing up...but scared to sit on toliet and poop. he will only poop on potty while sitting in a crab position or like a frog...lol...i don't know why.

What do you do when you are out and about and your little one has to go to the bathroom - if there are none around (I'm thinking along the lines of long car rides)
he is definitely a tire urinator. always peeing on my car tires or on trees. i figure if dogs are allowed, why can't little boys?

What do you do when they have an accident? Do you get stern? Is it ok? What's the protocol for that?
if the accident was caused by there not being a commercial break at the right time, then yes stern. if i ask if he has to go and says no...then goes...stern. i tried not to be stern...but really can't help it.

Does your DC drink alot? Jack has a drink in his hand all day long. Do I need to start to cut this down a bit?
yes, speech therapist was the one who pushed me to train him. he only drank at table, no sippy cups...then 20 minutes later on potty.


ETA: Do you cut them off from drinking at a certain time of night?

yes, was night trained no problem. last drink is an hour before bed..then he pees right before bed.

Re: How did you potty train your child

DD was 2 1/2 when she was fully potty trained.....she was very verbal, ready to have been trained about 6 months earlier but i just had DS too much going on and adjusting to a new baby...

one morning, i said " Bella, today would you like underwear or to be naked, because there are no more diapers" she thought about it for a few seconds and answered "underwear" it took only a few pee pee accidents, and she got the hang of it...she was pee pee trained in 1 week, i only put a diaper on her at night. Poop training,took another week but in 2 weeks, she was fully trained. Her body wasnt mature enough to stay dry all night, for about 4 months...so for 4 months she did wear a diaper to bed but then that was it.

I did cut off drinks about 45 min or so, before bed when we were first potty training her because i wanted her to eventually stay dry all night.

when she had an accident, i didnt get stern because she was learning and i didnt want the training to become a negative thing, i just said thats ok and didnt make a huge deal, just reminded her to let me know she had to go and we could run to the bathroom...i also did NOT use a potty, i used a potty seat that fits inside the regular toilet seat. i did not want to train her twice , her having to get used to the potty then eventually learn to use the toilet anyway....plus she thought the potty we had was a toy, it played music and she didnt take it serious.
I would recommend NOT using pull ups...they are the same as a diaper and kids really cant tell the difference, it is uncomfortable to kids to feel wet in underwear and thats almost what you want when training, for them to not like the feelng of pee run down their leg, or poop in their underwear. They will WANT to use the toilet/potty rather than feel uncomfortable in dirty undies. I also made a big deal about wearing cute underwear and feeling like a big kid in them.
when we were out in public, of course, i had extra clothing...but i brough a portable folding potty seat for when she had to go, i kept it in a plastic bag and it folded up flat and was easy to fit in the diaper bag. i reminded her often when we were out and first training if she had to go. i was always sure of DD using the bathroom before leaving the house too.
hope this is helpful!!! im planning to start training DS once we move, too many changes right now, but im planning to do the exact same thing with him, im just curious to know if the whole " training boys is harder than girls" sterotype is true . GOOD LUCK!

Re: How did you potty train your child

thanks so much!!!

Re: How did you potty train your child

I had been half heartedly trying for a while meaning I had the potty and would try to get him to sit on it, I had all these potty books and dvd's, but he had NO interest AT ALL. By about a month before his 3rd b-day he was showing all the "ready" signs (waking dry, being dry for longer periods etc) I couldn't bribe him with anything. Not even his most prize possessions (trains). So I told him 3 year olds were not allowed to wear diapers. This made sense to him, he is the kind of kid that likes to do the right thing and does not like to get in trouble. So on his 3rd birthday the diapers were gone and replaced by a big variety of underwear and "night time underwear" aka pull-ups. I was able to somewhat tell when he had to go b/c he'd start doing a kind of pee-pee dance. I kept the potty in the living room for a while too. I worked in daycare for a long time and the most important thing IMO is going to underwear and never looking back. If you want to do pull-ups during the day I'd put them over underwear and still call them underwear and let him know he should not be wetting them. DS always had a drink in hand, I only really cut it down from dinner on. He still gets his last drink at dinner and maybe a tiny bit more if he is thirsty. We were lucky to have very few accidents, I mean only maybe 5 total. If he had an accident I did not make a big deal of it just said ok let's change you and next time tell mommy so you can go on the potty. I think its really important not to get too upset about accidents. Since I was using pull-ups for naptime for a short time he was smart and he'd wait to poop til he had those on. Again I let him know he had to go poop in the potty. It took longer for him to master the poop but it happened. We had more poop accidents than anything else. He would only go once every 3 days for a while too which would worry some people, but my PED said it was normal when potty training. A week after we started potty training we went to lake george for a week. We made a few extra pit stops and I kept his potty in the car the whole time. He had 1 accident the whole week.

Oh and its been a little less than 6 mos since we started and he has had the poop mastered for about 3 mos and we just stopped the nighttime pull-ups and so far so good.

I was really shocked and proud at how well he did and how easy it was, but IMO that's because he was ready not because I had some amazing method for potty training. Good luck and if I can answer any questions please feel free to fm me.

Re: How did you potty train your child

I'll share my failed attempt

Ryan first starting peeing on the potty at 18 months. At that time, he did it 1-2x/wk - mostly b/c I was very pregnant and working and that's how often I suggested it - he rarely asked.

About a month after Colin arrived, when Ryan was 20 months, he was going a lot - 3-4x/day - but again, more of a suggestion - he just could go on demand I guess.

After the New Year I asked my ped if I should go full force on it since he was very familiar with the potty. She said, since I was home on leave, and he had done it, and is extremely verbal, he could be ready.

So, a few weeks ago we went straight to underpants. Poor kid was miserable. I had him sitting on the potty all day long b/c he was holding it b/t his first accident of the morning and naptime (when he'd get a diaper on). He was having tantrums when he saw the potty. I felt awful. I knew it's not supposed to be torture, so I tabled it for now.

But, lately - this week, he has been asking and going on his own. So now I don't know if I should give it another crack before I go back to work in March.

I've always heard, when they are truly ready, it doesn't take long - and few accidents.

Good luck