Potty Training Help

[kelantan]

I need some advice on where to go from here with "potty training." My little 15-month old boy is able to go potty on demand. He wakes up from naps dry (often, though not always) and will go potty whenever asked (or at least try). He even tries to hold it to make sure mommy brings him to the potty and when asked "do you need to go potty?" he always will.

Problem is he doesn't have any idea when to go himself. He's still in diapers and he knows they work. The problem with diapers is that it takes a bit to take them on and off and to get him to the potty quickly especially because he doesn't give me any signs of needing to go or wanting to go; he just waits for me to tell him to go.

Is there anything i can do? Do i just stay here and wait for a few months until he starts to tell me? Or do i switch him to "big boy" undies and try to teach him to always go on the potty? I'm not in a huge rush to get him potty trained, just positive progress i want to capitalize on (Baby #2 arrives late Aug... but we just doubled our stash so no worries there)

Does anyone have any advice/experience?

[pianojazzgirl]

I really think that there isn't much you can do but wait for him to develop to a point where he is able to recognize when he has the urge to pee or poo.

As for a faster option to dipes you could use training pants (something like Snapeez, etc) so that you can just pull them off. Let him go pantless in the house as well.

One other thing. Don't be disappointed or upset if at some point he starts to refuse to potty on demand. From personal experience (and seeing the experience of my friends) it seems that toddlers who were pottying quite successfully at a young age quite often get stubborn about it when they get a bit older. (Sorry... not to be a downer - I'm definitely wishing you good luck with it all mama! )

[JessieBird]

We're exactly where you are. My 17 mo DS has pottied when I offer for a long time now - since around 8 mos (part time EC attempt) however we've been at this stage since then. I have watched him very closely and I really don't think he is aware of the urge until the second he goes. Depending on whim and where we are, he wears training pants, diapers done up very loosely so he can push them down, or bare bum. DS doesn't seem bothered at all by wet or dirty training pants or diapers so that hasn't been useful so far. Lately he's gotten terribly upset if he poops on the floor so I'm curious to see if that leads to some progress.

I believe that becoming aware of the urge is something that will develop. DS frequently goes to sit on the potty immediately after going and to me this is a great sign that the association is there. The rest will follow.

Have you read "Diaper Three Before Three"? It is an easy/quick read and very encouraging, especially when it comes to potty learning at a young age.