The millionth potty question...

[blizzard_babe]

So DS (20 months) is fascinated by the potty. He LOVES to watch us use the bathroom, and can tell us when he's peeing or pooping.

My question is... or maybe my questions are... at what point will he be able to tell us BEFORE he goes? Last night, he was having some bare-butt time before bath, and suddenly his eyes got wide and he said, "PEEPEE!" I looked down, and sure thing, he was peeing all over the kitchen floor .

Is there anything we can do to speed up his recognition of the sensations BEFORE it happens, or is it just one of those wait-it-out things? We ask him if he has to use the potty, offer plenty of opportunities to sit on the potty, etc, but he just doesn't seem quite ready to recognize it BEFORE it happens.

It's just frustrating to have him SOOOOOOOO close to getting it... but not quite.

[laughymama]

SAME EXACT SITUATION.

"Pee pee!!" and for sure, there it is.

[blizzard_babe]

Originally Posted by laughymama

SAME EXACT SITUATION.

"Pee pee!!" and for sure, there it is.

I wouldn't be frustrated AT ALL if he were showing no signs of any kind of readiness. But having just that tiny glimmer of hope... it'd driving me bananas .

[Drummer's Wife]

I would show him a little potty (or a stool and help to get on the big toilet) and see if he attempts to use it. I think they definitely become aware around that age, and sucessful toileting is totally possible -- but it could be just the start of his interest, and he may or may not go with it.

My DD was completely out of diapers day and night at 24 months. I put her in thick cotton underpants and encouraged her to sit on her potty. When she wet in the undies, I helped her take them off, sit on the toilet, and put on a dry pair. I think it helped it click that after that sensation, she was soaking wet, and that pee belonged in the potty. My 3 boys, however, are a whole different story! My youngest is just now potty learning (he is dry most days, all day - but still doesn't poop in the toilet) and he is 34 months. He just wasn't interested until recently.

Also, check out the EC forum for more ideas on cues and what to do.

[AustinMom]

my son is 18 mo and he is pretty much fully potty trained, and he tells me before he goes (except when he has the rare accident). He signs though, since his verbal skills aren't that great yet.

I'd say just wait and see. It does take time for them to go from "I'm peeing" to "I have to pee". It could be a week, could be 4 months, but it does happen.

[kittykat2481]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

I would show him a little potty (or a stool and help to get on the big toilet) and see if he attempts to use it. I think they definitely become aware around that age, and sucessful toileting is totally possible -- but it could be just the start of his interest, and he may or may not go with it.

My DD was completely out of diapers day and night at 24 months. I put her in thick cotton underpants and encouraged her to sit on her potty. When she wet in the undies, I helped her take them off, sit on the toilet, and put on a dry pair. I think it helped it click that after that sensation, she was soaking wet, and that pee belonged in the potty. My 3 boys, however, are a whole different story! My youngest is just now potty learning (he is dry most days, all day - but still doesn't poop in the toilet) and he is 34 months. He just wasn't interested until recently.

Also, check out the EC forum for more ideas on cues and what to do.

We did this with DS at 23 months and it only took a few days. I figured, if it was a disaster, we'd just go back to pullups, but he did great and we've never looked back! He does still wear pullups to sleep though. He's about 50/50 on whether or not he'll wake up dry or completely soaked. I have a feeling if we went to underwear for sleeping too, he'd stop peeing most nights, but I'm not that concerned about it at this point. He's only just 25 months.

[erratum]

naked time is your friend! i think that a little peeing on the kitchen floor is helpful in making the cause and effect of the sensations connect. DH and I had a three day weekend and rolled up the rugs, stationed two potties in strategic locations (well, one we carried around to wherever we played.) and started the watch. Whenever he would start to pee, we'd put him on the potty while saying "Uh-oh, PEE-PEE! It goes on the potty." and cheering like crazy whenever we got him to the potty, whether or not any pee actually made it in the potty. DS was about 75% daytime potty reliable after that weekend. (and 100% in a couple weeks as long as he was pants-less.)
My DS wasn't even showing the signs of readiness your DS is, so I think your DS is well on his way. I would just recommend that you totally take advantage of this window where he is willing and interested, before he hits the resistant toddler stage. best of luck!