Potty Train 19 Month Old?

My youngest daughter, when she was 18 months old, saw her two older sisters using the "big potty" and wanted to do it also. I got her one of the small training toilets and let her go when she wanted. Within approximately 6 weeks she was completely trained, including no diapers at night. She decided on her own she was ready so I didn't feel as though I was putting unreasonable expectations on her.

I don't have that much experience potty training a 19-month old. However, I've recently read a book that discusses potty training younger children. The book is "The Everything Potty Training Book" by Linda Sonna. You may find the book helpful.

Dear P.,

Go ahead and try, it will not be wasted time. It will be some time spent with her that will help bond you two more, she will appreciate your listening to her and a beginning of you two working together rather than arguing all of the time. Children have a certain wisdom that needs to be respected.
C. N.

My daughter was ready to potty train at 22 months. It is early, but if they are ready, why wait? Give it a try. My daughter hated the feel of the mess in her diaper. She was so excited to have panties on, she wouldn't go in them. If you are going to be at home, buy a little potty so she can go in and go whenever she feels it. If she has problems getting her underwear down, have her go without any for a couple days. My daughter may have had one or two accidents, but that was it. If it doesn't work, you can always go back to diapers for a while. Good luck!

Hey P.,
If you have the time and YOU are ready then do it! My daughter started at about 15 months. It was summer time and she would play in the little pool at my parents house naked and wouldn't pee in the water. Most of the summer she went without a diaper and did very well. However, when she went back to day care during the school year they weren't equipted for her to be potty trained. For a couple months we used pull ups and at home she wouldn't wear any and she would use the potty. That lasted a few months butthen we decided to change her classroom at school so she could be fully potty trained. I wasn't ready for this we traveled a lot so stopping all of the time in the car was something I wasn't ready for. She was insistant so we did.. By the end of the year she was potty trained (20 months). I guess the biggest problem was finding big girl panties in her size (shes almost 3 and just now getting into 2T!) I say if you have the time, you both are ready, then do it. If she shows interest keep with it, if she doesn't, its not like you are on a deadline (preschool). Good Luck!

According to my mother I potty trained at 18 months. She said that i was ready and tired of diapers when everyone in the house didn't have to where them :) As long as she is comprehending that her diapers are going away and that she is now a big girl I say go for it :)

Good luck
Sandy

Hi, I started potty training my 18 month old when she turned 17 months. She is starting to get it now, she tells me when she has to go and pulls her pants down. The last couple of weeks she has only gone in her underwear 2 or 3 times a day, which is a great improvement. I potty trained my other daughter at 19 months and she got it right away. She is 7 now, and since she became fully trained, she has only peed her pants once and her bed once.
I think if she seems ready, it can't hurt to try. You can always stop for a few months if she doesn't get it.

P.,
I say go with the flow. If she is asking then take her. Don't miss this, but don't push it either. I am a mother of 3 (b14,b5,g3) as well as taking care of my 9yr old sister. When my little one was 16 mos. she did the same. It made potty training a breeze. She will be 3 in April.I missed the boat on my boys and they were well 3 1/2 before they would do both in the potty and not wear diapers. That was not fun. She was interest made it easier then pushing when not.
Best of luck
T.

Put out the potty chair and go for it. It's a good age especially since she's aware. I started with my daughter at 18 months. It took a year to be completely trained. It took her longer because I put her in a diaper whenever we went out. She only wore training pants (or no pants!) at home.

Hi P.

So you have a 19 month old who you think is ready to be potty trained... Well I totally agree if your child gives you signs that he or she is ready take advantage of those signs... I have 4 kids of my own and my youngest is 16yrs... Anyways with all 4 of my kids I started potty training them between 12 and 14 months old... I had success with all 4. I do have one suggestion and that is if you feel your child is ready then it doesn't hurt to try. If she or he is just having too many accidents and your getting really frustrated then maybe you should hold off and try it again in a month or two... Each child is different, some are ready at an early age and some just take longer. Sticking with a routine is very important and being consistent and most of all Patients is very very important. It's best to try to stay home the first two weeks of potty training, because then you can get a routine going and you will know when and how often your child may need to use the bathroom. It's hard staying home and first but I'm sure you would agree that any accidents that occur are going to be easier to clean up at home. Well good luck and hang in there, don't give up....

L....

I've read that the best way to potty train is to let them tell you when they are ready. Your daughter seems to already know that she is going to the bathroom, so maybe try to see if you can get her to go on the potty. If she shys away, she might not be ready for it, but since she is already telling you, it can't hurt to give it a try, right?

Wow P., I feel pretty inspired after you sparked this conversation. My daughter will scream, "I Pee'd" and when I pick her up, her diaper is warm, so I am sure she has just gone. She will also say it if she peepees on the floor before a bath. She occasionally will stand in the restroom by the toilet and let it go. Maybe I will purchase a potty chair and start testing the waters :)

Thanks!

I would start if shes showing signs of knowing.. and if shes not interested than try again at a later date.

Absolutely!!!! She is telling you she is ready! She will learn some things faster by watching her older siblings. I have 4 children - all of mine were potty trained before their 2nd birthdays(at least during the day) - 2 didn't potty train at night until they were 4 - but all were telling me when they had to go - - - so it was very natural and very easy.

I have the same exact question regarding my 18 month old. Please let me know what you find out.

B.

WHY NOT? THAT'S AMAZING, I THINK...THE EARLIER, THE BETTER...GOOD LUCK

I THINK IT'S OK, BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME KIDS THAT TELL YOU NOW AT THAT AGE, AND THEN THEY STOP FOR SOME REASON, UNTIL WHEN THEY TELL YOU AGAIN...SOME OF MY NEPHEWS AND MY NIECES STARTED EARLY, AS WELL.

There's nothing wrong with trying! She may decide after a few times she doesn't want to use the big potty anymore and revert to diapers, but wouldn't it be great to not have to deal with them anymore! Let her give it a shot.

If your daughter is telling you then she might be ready. It's always worth the shot. I have two girls who are 14 months apart, so when the oldest would go the little one would want to too. She started at about 18 months too, and things worked out great.

Hey P.,

My daughter was much like yours - she actually started telling me at about 16 months and was 90% potty trained by 18 months. Perhaps your youngest is the same way. Maybe give it a shot and see how she progresses. If things get tough or frustrating, you could always stop and start again later.

Wish you the best!

P. ~ personally, I think she's ready, so why not try. If she's telling you, work with her. I began training my oldest at 12 mos. She turned 1 in August and in September we drove from California to Texas and stopped every time she had to go. By the time she was 14 mos. she was done. With my youngest, it didn't quite work that way. I tried when she was 12 mos, but that was way too young for my baby, so we tried again at 16 and 18 and 22 and by the time she was 3 years old she was potty trained! Some kids are ready and others are not, you have to base it on the specific child and nothing else. Good luck to you.
L

Hi P.. If your child is already telling you, I think its time to go for it. Don't let us tell you when you should and shouldn't do things. You know your child best. If you think its time, I hope it goes smoothly lol. Best Wishes, T.

I was trained by 14 months. My son wasn't until well after he turned 3 my sister not until she was almost 3 and my baby sister by 18 months. With older kids around they may just be more interested in it because their siblings are doing it. Try it for a couple days if it's not clicking give it up and try again later. Good luck ~V.