What is the earliest age you would consider potty training your DC if they were showing signs of being ready?

AKA--having words for poop/pee, going to the bathroom door and saying poop as he is going, taking off wet diapers, etc. Thanks!

Re: What is the earliest age you would consider potty training your DC if they were showing signs of being ready?

My son is 18 months and it is way earlier than I intended to begin potty training. But a few weeks ago, he started asking to sit on the potty and touching his diaper and saying "puh" when he pooped. So we decided to follow his lead. We bought him a potty, and whenever he asks, we let him sit on it. He's peed and pooped a number of times now, and one time so far, he seemed to recognize that he had to pee and asked to sit on it kind of urgently, and then he peed right away. So we're not pushing it at all, just following his lead, with no expectations, and seeing where it goes. We figure there is no harm in getting him used to the idea as long as he is comfortable and interested in it.

Re: What is the earliest age you would consider potty training your DC if they were showing signs of being ready?

At 15 months my dd was showing signs (I was potty training her brother). We started it then.

Re: What is the earliest age you would consider potty training your DC if they were showing signs of being ready?

When they are old enough to pull up/down their pants in order to go. That age is different for everyone. If your child cannot master that skill first, it's pointless to potty train IMO.

Re: What is the earliest age you would consider potty training your DC if they were showing signs of being ready?

I always said whenever they show signs. My DS was 3 when we trained him. My DD is 17 months and has been telling us peepee when she wants to be changed and even brought my DH her diaper 3 days ago while telling him peepee. I feel like shes to young to start but everyone is telling me to pull out the potty anyway. I may do it since I am off this month but will NOT be pushing it at all. I don't know if I am ready

Re: What is the earliest age you would consider potty training your DC if they were showing signs of being ready?

Posted by bayla

I don't know if I am ready

Re: What is the earliest age you would consider potty training your DC if they were showing signs of being ready?

Age doesn't really matter imo, its more about them being ready and not so much with behaviors, but more so physically ready. Like being able to go for a good amount of time w/out being wet and being able to get on/off the potty, pull up/down their pants etc. Here is a list of "signs" I found if you are interested.

Physical signs

Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.

Urinates a fair amount at one time.

Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.

Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

Behavioral signs

Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.

Can pull his pants up and down.

Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.

Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).

Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.

Demonstrates a desire for independence.

Takes pride in his accomplishments.

Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.

Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.

Cognitive signs

Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."

Understands the value of putting things where they belong.

Has words for urine and stool.

Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.

Re: What is the earliest age you would consider potty training your DC if they were showing signs of being ready?

IMO, from what I've seen and done and haven't done. I have a lot of relatives from the old country that potty train as soon as baby can walk.

I think there is a small window of time, early on, before they understand too much, and some time before they are one, when you can teach them it very easy.
DS was showing all signs at 10m (DS could make the sign potty at 10m and use it correctly). He was peeing on the potty consistently before baths. I didn't want to stress him out too much so I didn't sit him any other time. My mother scorned me and said if you wait too long he'll never want to sit on the potty.

When he turned 12m, he decided potty was something to do with civilization and power and control. He wont sit on it ever unless my we ask him "Where does Noah peepee" he'll sit on it with his clothes on and say "pss pss" ... its so not funny to me, my sister taught him this in like 5 minutes. I'm convinced he could go to the potty, he just isn't ready for the idea. And he knows he's not ready.

I think before 12m they don't know they aren't ready, they just do it, cause they do. It just habit.

If I could go back to 10m and start training him seriously, I would. Because now he hates diapers, it gives him all kind of rashes because he's running and moving like crazy. They limit his movement and he's just mad that he has to wear them.

Message edited 8/3/2011 8:10:33 PM.