Comments on: When is it too early for potty time?

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:47:52 +0000

My daughter was fully trained at 2 years old. We started when she was about 18 months and of course there was some accidents along the way, but we took it naturally as part of learning.

By: Advice for Parenting

Advice for Parenting — Tue, 05 May 2009 05:07:28 +0000

Patience is a huge virtue in parenting. While there are some fairly well established guidelines on timelines, they are just that: guidelines. But you're also right that potty training tips can go a long way toward speeding things up and letting you keep your sanity. Good luck with your little boy!

By: Vic

Vic — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:08:12 +0000

Thanks for all you do in helping me fulfill my dreams.,

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:54:46 +0000

My daughter potty trained at 18 months old very easily and in a very short amount of time with no accidents

Both my boys trained at 2 1/2 and 3 years old and had accidents for months afterward

In my opinion it is so much easier to train a girl and the boys you have to wait until they show the signs of intrest.

By: A, Wells

A, Wells — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:09:09 +0000

The reason why children are being potty trained later and later is because of the efficiency of the disposable diapers. The child does not feel anything; thus, there is no signal sent to the brain. I had an old time nanny tell me that around one years old, put the thinnest pair of pants on the child and whenever they go to the bathroom, they get a real message that something is messy. Fortunately, I had tiled floors and tried this with my two children. Sure enough, they would say 'e-w-w-w' and I would run to the putty chair with them. Within a month, both boy and girl were potty trained. They did not like the wet and/or messy feeling that happened. With the disposable diapers, so much is absorbed that they never get this message and could stay forever in the soiled diaper. Try it...it worked for me and for many of my friends.

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:32:02 +0000

I cannot believe how much wasted energy parents put into this whole potty process. Kids need to be physically ready, and that doesn't happen at 9 months! Wait for some signs, like being dry when they wake up in the morning and being able to pull pants up/down by themselves. For heaven's sake, folks, take a chill pill and let things happen the way they should, for the sake of yours and your kid's sanity.

When my daughter started climbing up on the big potty, I bought her a potty chair. She developed a natural curiosity for it, and I also let her watch me so she knew what was supposed to happen in the bathroom. After awhile, when SHE was ready (not me), she started using the potty on her own. I don't think we ever read a book or watched a video on the topic. Why is that necessary?

Be patient and let your child lead the way in this process. Stop thinking of it as a reflection of your parenting skills.

(And whoever thought of putting the potty chair in the living room? Ridiculous.)

By: Gator

Gator — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:57:22 +0000

I think a lot of parents are lazy and life overall has become to hectic to consistently place an infant on a potty to get them "trained" in elimination. Plus we live in the US where consumer products are king- way not delay the process for a few years and Corporate America can rake in the extra billions per yer.

You don't see infants in Africa wearing diapers until they are 4 years old. My mother was a professional child caregiver, and as with all of her children she has stated that once a child can sit well alone they are ready to start potty training. Now, I don't expect miracles but at 6 months I started putting my daughter on the potty. After two days she knew what was expected and does the job almost immediately after I place her on the potty. She smiles and is so happy to get my encouragement. At almost ten months she isn't dry yet but is close. We are not forcing the issue but taking it one day at a time.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:25:31 +0000

My first child – turned out to be twins. I dreaded potty training, having to do it with two kids and my first time trying to train.

With a baby as young as yours – you are simply training yourself, not the baby.

My mom trained me at 18 months and dealt with constant accidents. With their other three children she waited until much later – went much faster and dramatically fewer accidents!

Diapers aren't that bad – and are easier than constantly asking if the child needs facilities and looking for public restrooms on a moment's notice.

I waited until our children were two and a half – it took 10 days to train them and we had very few accidents – because they were ready! You are setting your self, and more importantly your son, up for stress, frustration and a sense of failure.

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:17:08 +0000

I don't know the best age for potty training, but I do know the diaper companies have made alot of money and create alot of pollution but the increased use of pull-ups and diapers for bigger and bigger kids.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:40:59 +0000

Like anything else in parenting, do what is best for your child.