Potty Training - Littleton,CO

Updated on March 12, 2008
K.R. asks from Littleton, CO
15 answers

My son is 17 months and recently has been very interested in the "big boy potty." The other day we went to the store and picked out a potty lid so he could sit on the toilet. I really didn't think anything would happen, but I decided that I would ask him if I saw him starting to go number two. Today I saw him starting to go (baring down) and I asked him if he wanted to use the potty. He said yes and ran to the bathroom. I put him on, and low and behold he went!! Then he tried to wipe, which was hilarious! My husband and I applauded him and praised him after. My question is, how do we keep this going? Do I just continue to ask him when I see him? We aren't concerened about getting him potty trained soon, I just figured if he is interested why not?

This seems to follow the same pattern as my husband and I when we were little. I was potty trained by 18 months and my husband by 20 months. Our son seems to be following the same behavior.

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A.T.

answers from Great Falls on

That is great. I was a SAHM when my boys were not yet in school. When I started potty training, I set the timer on the stove for every 15 mintues, then 20, 25 etc... It helped and reminded me. I also took them whenever I needed to go or when Dad did if he was home. With the oldest- he loved black olives and he got them as a reward for going poop on the ptty, same with the youngest. Better than candy! Or you can make a star chart and when he get so many he gets to pick out of a prize box. Good luck!

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M.C.

answers from Denver on

Hi K.,
I would think if he is showing interest now, go ahead. I went to a potty training class at Babies R Us and they said the best time to potty train is between 18-24 months.
The lady teaching the class encouraged you to tell your son for a week or 2 that soon you will be going potty in the big boy potty. Every time you change his diaper, tell him "soon we aren't going to have diapers any more, you are going to go potty on the toilet!". She also encourged buying 1 set of "special" underware that your son picks out himself, and a few other packs just normal white. The day you choose to be the first day, let your son wear the "special" underware when he wakes up. Take him to the toilet every so often and ask him if he needs to go. If he says no, maybe just try for a practice. If he ends up wetting his underwear, put him in the white underware and try for the special underware first thing next day.
The lady at Babies R US had 2 important things to teach:
1. Don't use pull ups as they are comfortable and easy to be lazy in. Why use the toilet if you can just go in your pants?
2. The only reward system to use if any is a sticker reward. Whether it be on a chart or stickers all over his shirt, candy is not the way to go.
Don't turn back once you have started as this sends mixed messages. My son took about 1 week to potty train and did wonderfully. My sister also used this method and her son did very well too. The other thing I had questioned was what do I do in public? Should I put him in a diaper or not. She said not to, that being in public is part of a normal day and just make sure you know where the nearest restroom is. Also make sure you have lots of changes of clothes and patience!
It's a process, but sounds like he is ready. If not now, soon!
Good luck to you!

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

First rule with potty training, do not ask them. The answer will eventually be "no" as they get too busy playing and so on. The key is training his bladder to give him signals and is ability to hold it until he gets on the toilet. Just maybe now that he is doing so great, put him on the potty every two hours. Do it with excitement like say "hey lets go try to potty", do not give him choices as that can lead to regression and can lead to power struggles. Just setting him on it and if he goes great, celebrate, if he doesn't a real praise of "just trying" is well recieved. He will eventually read his bodies cues when he needs to stop and go himself but it will take a while.
Amazing he is doing so well at such a young age, just keep up the encouragement. When he goes a few days without we pullups then go to big boy underwear. If he cannot go all night still use the pullups especially due to his age then slowly transition that to just underwear at night. Way to go on his part! I would definitely get him in pullups and tell him what a big boy he is now! :)

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C.T.

answers from Billings on

If he is interested..............GO FOR IT!!! My little guy is almost 3 1/2 and we are struggling. He was intersted at about 2 years, but we thought it was a fluke, so we were not too serious about it, then he got very ill and we put it on the back burner. I look back and wish we would have followd through!

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M.O.

answers from Denver on

If he's interested keep doing what your doing! Count your blessings! When he's ready to stand up, play sink the cheerio, he'll have fun and learn to aim :)

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M.B.

answers from Provo on

My son, turning 2 this week, has been the same way. He was interested about 19 months old. I have just been asking peroidically throughout the day if he needs to go potty on his potty seat. 90% of the time he says yes. About two months ago, I started asking him to go poop on the potty. He will. Whenever I catch him starting to grunt I ask him and we usually make it in time. Since he is my first son, I am learning as well. So I know this isnt much help, but I understand what your going through. I will say, what I have been doing seems to be working. He will tell the sitter when he has to go potty. So I think it is starting to stick in his brain that that is what we do, and not in our diapers.

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

Congratulations and good luck! We got some great help from the book "Toilet Train Your Child in Less Than a Day". The whole system wasn't for our first, but we plan to try it again with our second. Using the tips from it, though, our first was trained in 4 days.

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P.A.

answers from Pocatello on

I would ask him but if he doesn't want to go don't worry about it. If he wants to keep doing it that is great. If not don't stress your self out. I learned the hard way with my twins. Four of my five kids where not potty trained until they were almost 3. So I have learned to not push at all since it obviously takes my kids a long time. My # 5 is just 7 months, so we have a long time to go for him. Best of Luck.

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J.F.

answers from Billings on

If he's interested in it, then keep it going, but don't put stress on him. If he decides he doesn't want to do it anymore, don't pressure him, which from your comments, it deosn't sound like you would. He may potty train really easily like you and your husband. Just be careful....he may do great and then regress after you have your next baby....that's very common.....just let him let you know when he's ready.

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A.P.

answers from Denver on

Keep following his lead. What you have done so far has been good. If you are able to potty train at this age --- woo-woo! :) Don't be discouraged if he regresses. Boys seem to potty train when the're ready and little that the parents do or don't do matters. Good luck.

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C.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

This is what worked for me.. I went to the dollar store and had my daughter pick all "potty toys" we had a basket full they were all small little toys and we kept them high enough from her reach but close enough where she could see them every day.. and when she asked to have a toy I reminded her they were for when she went potty "do you have to go potty".. I had M&M's for trying and dollar store toys for going.. she always wanted to go and for the most part she would sit and go... so rewards rewards.. of course once they get the hang of things they even forget about the rewards... good luck

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K.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Fantastic! Just keep doing what your doing. If you notice he's about to go, ask him if he wants to sit on the potty (don't force it). It's also a good idea to have him try first thing in the morning and after his nap. That might also help him to learn to pee in the potty. Sounds like he's a quick study.

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C.Y.

answers from Cheyenne on

If he is interested then go for it. Every 15 minutes ask him if he would like to sit on the big potty. Keep pushing fluids so he will have to go more. The only trick is limit sugary fluids 2 hours before bedtime and this will help with night times training as well. You are lucky that both you and your husband potty trained so early. My husband's family the boys did not completly night train until after age 7! My oldest is following that path but our 3 year old is showing better signs in is dry everyother night! He just started. I just limit their fluids 2 hours before bedtime and he wakes up dry! Good luck just remember go at his pace and he will be fine.

Good luck!

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S.M.

answers from Casper on

Yeah, why not? Just go with it and keep up the praise.

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C.B.

answers from Provo on

Hi K.!
Congrats on your little tyke wanting to use the big boy potty! I am a stay-at-home mom to 5 kids and my youngest (3) has been out of diapers (except at bedtime) for about 10 months. I agree with most of the last advice, but I just wanted to let you know to not stress if he "reverts" back to diapers. It's very normal for a child to show interest this early, but don't "expect" him to fly with it..however, it's not unheard of! From my experience, go at HIS pace. It's great if you notice his "movements" and can catch him, but nobody's perfect. :) I'm no professional, and I've never been to any classes for parenting (YET! starting tomorrow). I've just let my children take the lead (so to speak) when it comes to the potty. My youngest likes to "make bubbles" in the toilet and my oldest used to like to "sink the Cheerios". In my experience too, boys tend to take a little longer than girls to master their bladders. You're doing a fantastic job and I'm sure you're a wonderful mother! Go with your gut instinct and don't compare your child's progress to "Jane Doe" next door! HUGZ to you and keep up the great work!

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