Potty Training - Schooleys Mountain,NJ

Hi Beata,
If you can get him to pee in the potty rather than on the floor, why not? But he likely has no aweness yet of having to go, so I wouldn't consider this part of toilet teaching and probably wouldn't take him to the potty at other times - unless he asked to be taken or pulled you over to it. If he's not showing any awareness or discomfort of wetting or pooping his diapers, I wouldn't proceed with any type of training, just try to catch that one pee so it doesn't end up on the floor.

FWIW my daughter was Potty trained by 18 months (except wiping herself when she pooped), so no it's not a waste of time to start early :D My sister's boys were both PT well before their 2nd birthday as well. . .

Giving your son the option of using the potty instead of his diaper can only work in your favor. First off it gives him some control over his bodily functions and keeps your towels from getting peed on ;-) and secondly, it'll help him become familiar with the potty and what it's for. Talk to him and encourage him to go whenever you take off his diaper. Let him watch when his dad goes, have him sit with you on the potty when you have to use it. He will start to make the connection that pee goes into the potty pretty quickly.

Control and ability to get to the potty may take time and diapers/clothes are always stumbling blocks for especially young potty trainers, so go easy. Offer him the chance to sit on the potty (maybe a read a book there while your getting the bath ready), but don't force it. When he does eliminate there show your pride and when he asks to sit on the potty, let him even if it doesn't produce any results. At this age letting him take the lead is a great way to get started.

Google "elimination communication" for good tips on GENTLE early potty training. It's mostly focused on babies, but they also discuss "late starters" which include starting with children over 1 year old.

Hi Beata
I don't agree with the current thinking that it is better to wait. Personally all of mine were trained early by that standard, 2 by 24 months, one at 19 months, and the last at 25 months. Yes, completely trained. However they could all talk by then too.
I think that if they are ready and you miss it then you must wait til they want to train, and that is why you get those late potty trainers, 3 1/2 etc.
Getting a potty is a great idea, and telling him what it is for. "It is where you go if you don't want wet yucky diapers." and see what happens.
God bless you
K.

Try it! My cousin managed to train her older son (who HATED wet diapers) by 18 months in a similar situation. He sounds like he might be ready - and if he's ready, it's SO much easier. (I missed the window with my older son, because I was so pregnant with #2, and it took another year to get him ready again!)

HTH

17 months is a little young to have control over his bladder and bowels, but not to young to introduce him to the potty. Buy one and sit him on it for a couple of minutes at night. If he pees he will be delighted in the 'big boy' accomplishment. If he doesnt at least he will become familiar with the seat and be curious enough to attempt using it.
Often when you wait till a child is 3, they are going through a rebellious stage and potty training becomes a power struggle. I would think your son is ready, but dont expect him to recognize the urge to go. He will have to be reminded to go.

It can't hurt. I would do it just at bath time though, and when he askes or seems more interested let him take the lead.
My oldest was totally potty trained at 23 months old. He started to like sitting on the potty around 20 months.

Get a potty or a child size seat insert. My kids prefer the seat insert (goes on regualar potty) and its FUN to flush!!! It won't hurt him as long as it isn't forced and you make fun out of it! Some children can potty train early some don't. Regardless of age if it is "forced" it is harder where as if you start now and keep it fun and exciting you may be a lucky few who gets their child potty trained early!!! Good luck! A.

It can't hurt to get it out and try it! Expose him to it!

My daughter started potty-training at about 21 months, and now at 25 months is nearly day-trained. Just get it out, expose him to it, and don't push it!