So not ready for this...

[Thing1Thing2]

My 22 month old seems to be ready to start potty learning. I didn't think he would start this early. Im not even sure if this is normal.

It all started when my MIL got him a book about going potty. I thought I could read it to him to get him used to the idea of going on the potty. Then he started asking to "go-go"... I put him on the potty to see if thats what he meant. He went. Three times today, he has asked to "go-go" and all three times he peed...

Strange thing is, I am totally unprepared for this. I was waiting for his leading and thought he would start after 2 years. I don't know if this is too early, but I don't want to discourage him. But on the other hand, I feel like maybe its a phase he's going through and he might get tired of it soon and stop asking to "go-go". I'm afraid that if I don't handle this correctly, it might set him back a bit when hes really ready to potty learn. Or maybe he is ready now and I should start encouraging him?

Anyone have any advice seeing as I am totally in need of help?

[sapphire_chan]

Sounds like he has things well in hand. Just keep following his lead. He may or may not go back to using his diapers at some point as new developments happen, but if that does happen it won't be because he's using the potty now.

Worst comes to worst, this time means he knows what a potty is for and he's not scared of them.

Best case, of course, would be that he's learned to use the potty all by himself and will never have an accident (hey, it could happen)! :

[Thing1Thing2]

Thanks! Do you think I should get some underwear for him? Or keep him in diapers?

[cschick]

Originally Posted by BonnieNova

Thanks! Do you think I should get some underwear for him? Or keep him in diapers?

If you really would like him potty-learned, get him some undies. My kid insisted on experimenting with the potty at 22 months, and he was probably about 95% day time reliable by his second birthday. The undies encourage that.

(Just as a side note, though, he's almost 4 now and still not night time ready.)

[nola79]

I don't think it's too early. Get him some underwear, try it out. Once mine started learning, I no longer used diapers.

[JessieBird]

How exciting! I suggest you pick up the book "Diaper Free Before Three." It's a quick, easy ready and very supportive of potty learning earlier than you would expect. It'll make you feel a lot better.

[Super~Single~Mama]

Awesome!! I potty learned myself when I was between 18-20 months. I counted the kids at daycare who wore "big girl underwear", and then told my mom I was done with diapers. Actually, after a nap one day she came into my room and found my diaper on the floor, and I was wearing underwear I told her I was done with diapers - and then I never had an accident!

It can happen!

[hakeber]

too early? Is there evidence of such a thing that hasn't been published by someone in/financially related to the diaper industry?

Congrats!

[Thing1Thing2]

Thanks for all the great replies, and I will read that book you suggested Jessiebird.

Wow thyra - you are one smart cookie!

To update you gals, I let him pick out his own underwear and put them on him for the first time this morning. All morning I kept asking him if he had to "go go" and he kept saying no. Then finally I asked him again and he said "yes". I immediately put him on the potty, but he didn't want to stay on it, so I let him come off and put his underwear back on.

He then proceeded to pee in his underwear. Im guessing this means he might not be ready yet. Maybe he just got excited about the book, and it was a one time deal....

Just like sapphirechan said, at least I know he's not afraid to use the potty.

Does anyone know where we go from here? Should I keep trying or just forget about it. I don't want to push him yet, I don't want to miss out on this opportunity to help him start using the potty...

Oh and hakeber - your comment made me laugh - and think...

[Katie T]

My first two did that at that age and continued on to being potty trained. Then DD2 did it starting at 17 months she was to the point where she only needed diapers at night and then just one day she seemed to have lost the ability to recognise the urge to go and stopped. I put her back in diapers and every now and then (about every other day) she will tell me she has to go and does go.

I think it was a fun stage and I'm sure she will pick it up again when she is ready. I say try it out and follow his lead.

[hakeber]

Check out Late Elimination Communication and the EC sub forum in diapering. It's chock full of great resources and links!

[hipumpkins]

don;t let an accident here and there let you think "not ready". you wouldn't think your child wasn't ready to walk b/c they fell now and then right?
So help your child succeed. It is NOT too early. Before two is the easiest time to "train"
find a routine that works for you and your DC. Some kids might like a timed routine and others like reminders only when it is obvious. Do follow his lead but be there to guide. I would also advise against any over the top rewards, IE: stickers, candy prizes. the reward at this age is being able to succeed.
Good luck!

[Thing1Thing2]

Originally Posted by Katie T

My first two did that at that age and continued on to being potty trained. Then DD2 did it starting at 17 months she was to the point where she only needed diapers at night and then just one day she seemed to have lost the ability to recognise the urge to go and stopped. I put her back in diapers and every now and then (about every other day) she will tell me she has to go and does go.

I think it was a fun stage and I'm sure she will pick it up again when she is ready. I say try it out and follow his lead.

Thanks. Will try it! Good luck with your dd.

Originally Posted by hakeber

Check out Late Elimination Communication and the EC sub forum in diapering. It's chock full of great resources and links!

Was just over there following your recommendation - and WOW... you were right about it being FULL of info!

Originally Posted by hipumpkins

don;t let an accident here and there let you think "not ready". you wouldn't think your child wasn't ready to walk b/c they fell now and then right?
So help your child succeed. It is NOT too early. Before two is the easiest time to "train"
find a routine that works for you and your DC. Some kids might like a timed routine and others like reminders only when it is obvious. Do follow his lead but be there to guide. I would also advise against any over the top rewards, IE: stickers, candy prizes. the reward at this age is being able to succeed.
Good luck!

This helped me so much, hipumpkins... I was planning on giving up, but Im gonna make another go at it. Oh - and thanks for the sentence about the stickers ...haven't bribed him yet, but was planning it. I even had the stickers I was going to use. Something just felt wrong to me, so I ended up giving him the stickers to play with regardless of the potty... Your statement just confirmed that I did the right thing. Always go with your gut!