How long do you offer the potty?

[lalemma]

You guys were so helpful before, so I'm back with another Noob Question.

We're ECing in the most part-time way: we offer the potty when our 4mo wakes up from naps and when we take him out of his carriers. Sometimes he goes, sometimes he doesn't. But I've noticed that I fairly often miss the pee - I'll offer right after his nap, nothing will happen, I'll put him on a prefold, and a minute later he'll pee. (When I notice him, I'll congratulate him and make the cueing sound.)

So - how long do you offer the potty to someone his age? I tend to hold him over the sink or potty for about 30 seconds. I have no idea if that's way too short. Please to enlighten me!

[sgmom]

We never offered on a schedule when my daughter was that age. I would check her every half hour or so, and if she was dry, I would offer. If not, then I'd change her and wait another 20 or 30 minutes. We did a lot of naked time before she could crawl as well. I never set a time for how long she would sit for. I'd keep her entertained until it looked like she wanted to do something else, then we'd stop. We never held her to pee, so I can't help you with that question.

I ALWAYS offered in the same patterns though. Like right after waking, after eating, after carrying (I used to carry her around in a baby wrap and she'd almost never pee while I was holding her, so this was a guaranteed catch), before and after bath... etc.

[hrsmom]

I don't think I held my dd for much longer than that. 30 seconds was probably about average. Sometimes they will go shortly after the potty opportunity, that is totally normal! Sounds like you're doing great!

[NotOkay]

ABCs

Depending on how long I want to hang out, I like to give my son a minute or two. If he resists I just put his diaper back on. Sometimes I'll sing the ABC song twice, and if he doesn't go I'm done. I use the "psssssst" sound, but there's something about singing that relaxes him better.

[BirthKathy]

My son needs more time, so we've started reading books on the potty. I want to read to him anyway, so he gets the time he needs and we are able to spend that time reading and enjoying his books. If he hasn't gone after a story or two, it wasn't time.

I never liked holding him above the potty (too tiring), so we have toilet seat reducers on the toilets and it's more comfortable for both of us. I sit in front of him on a stepstool.

[boigrrrlwonder]

My son is one month old. I generally wait about thirty seconds from the end of when he last eliminated (so if he poops, when he finishes I wait thirty seconds if he starts pooping again, I wait another thirty seconds). If I'm convinced that he has to go, I'll walk around for a minute or two and then try again.

[lalemma]

Thanks, everyone!

Singing a song as a cue is a great idea - I'm going to try that.