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Potty Time

At what age should you potty train? There are folks out their who believe in no diapers, “observing” their children from early infancy for clues that a big one’s coming and then holding them over the toilet. To me, that sounds not only like a lot of work but potentially disgusting. To me, “potty trained” doesn’t just mean that all the poop goes into the toilet but also that a child understand the process, is physically mature enough to recognize the urge “to go” and able to contain himself, literally, until a potty can be found. Most people would say this is between 2 and 3 years old.

At what age should you potty train? There are folks out their who believe in no diapers, “observing” their children from early infancy for clues that a big one’s coming and then holding them over the toilet. To me, that sounds not only like a lot of work but potentially disgusting. To me, “potty trained” doesn’t just mean that all the poop goes into the toilet but also that a child understand the process, is physically mature enough to recognize the urge “to go” and able to contain himself, literally, until a potty can be found. Most people would say this is between 2 and 3 years old.

Okay, but what do you do when your 16 month-old continually announces all of her wet and dirty diapers with shocking accuracy, then brings a new diaper and lies on the floor, waiting for a clean up? Or when your 19 month-old continually stands next to the toilet and tinkles (on the floor!) before her bath?

Here in the UK they tend to potty train a little sooner than in the US and by 2 kids are expected to be “on the road.” The good part is that the school will finish the job for you. But for an American trained pediatrician like me, it makes me a little nervous. What if they aren’t ready? Forcing the issue is likely to create more problems than it’s worth. Shouldn’t we just let them decide when it’s time? At least wait until they can talk?

But who am I to argue? So I bought a pretty little potty shaped like a frog. The girls are getting plopped down on it just before and after their bath, only for a few seconds, in the hopes that the process will sort of click. And I have to say, so far, at least, they think it’s hilarious. They love it. Eva dragged that potty around her room for 3 hours after it arrived. And Zoe keeps trying to wear it on her head. So I’m not totally sure where we’re going with this. But I’ll let you know how what happens.

Dr. Lara Zibners, May 25, 2011

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Just stopped at your page…

Funnily you did/are doing pretty the same as we. “Just for fun” we bought a potty and Fips loves it and immediately started to potty train her rabbit LOL

Well after 2 weeks of putting her on the potty each day 1-2 times for few seconds (with nothing coming into the potty) she suddenly started - 3 days ago - to grap her big changing mat and ly down by herself for a change as soon as she made a poo. Pretty cool, well the worse part of the story - she also tries to take off her nappy when she decides she needs a change and their is no mat

    – Monika (05/26 06:55 AM)

I’m at the end of my tether. We went for it at
20 months and he seemed to get it but never asked
He returned to Creche they got peed off with the process- excuse the pun- and eventually we had to give up.
Tried again 6 weeks ago on an extended holiday at 2.5yrs . we had him asking the whole
Time he needed to go, no accidents and job done.
Returned home and he had gastro. Would tell us for the poops but
Not for the pees!
Now after another week away for a wedding he says nothing preferring to let it run down his leg. He smiles contentedly. I try not to swear and throw a tantrum but it’s hard not to.
WHY??????  I have taken to make him clean up his mess everytime he goes on the parquet. I think I’ll have to throw away the pull ups so we don’t keep resorting to them. I guess even putting a pull up on him when we are out or travelling hasn’t helped matters.
He’s confused, we’re confused and he starts a new afternoon playgroup next week
What do I need to do to get him back on track!
Grin and bare all the accidents and hope he gets even more frustrated than I at the cleanup??

    – Grainne o shea (05/26 03:09 PM)

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