Toilet Training

[2happymamas]

DD is 24 months and has shown an interest in using the toilet for a few months now. We started using pull-ups instead of diapers and while she uses the toilet sometimes, she mostly uses the pull-up as she would a diaper. Granted, we totally slacked off quite a bit and have not been consistent in asking her to use the toilet. 

DD loves her underwear and has recently been asking to wear her panties. DW is off work this week (daycare closed over the holiday) and we thought we would use this as an opportunity to try to get her into her undies and out of diapers/pull-ups during the day. DD did pretty good yesterday, with only a couple accidents. She did awesome today and did not have a single accident. The issue...we are having her sit on her little toilet every 20-25 minutes and it is working. BUT, she does not come to us and tell us when she needs to go. How do we help her recognize when she needs to go to the bathroom and tell us, as opposed to us have to her down every 20-25 minutes.

Do you think this can be done in a week? And I am unsure that daycare is going be be able to take her to the bathroom every 20-25 minutes starting next week. Ideas? Suggestions?

[pbjmama]

It sounds like she is really ready! It may take a couple of days but she will realize the sensation that she needs to go to the potty. 

[brennan]

Stopping with the pull-ups are huge.  Pull-ups ARE diapers they can just go up and down easier.  She needs to feel wet if she pees, and pull-ups aren't going to do that.  I would just keep taking her to the potty and see what happens.  Can you send her to daycare in panties with a bunch of changes of clothes if she has accidents?  She will get it, but it really will vary how long it takes.  It took dd a month but she was significantly younger so it is possible for a week!

[boogaloo]

Naked or underwear is the way to go.  I noticed in the beginning DS would regress with any diaper, especially when I let him wear a diaper at school.  Even though he's still having accidents, he's doing much better so I'm okay with a diaper at night and when we go outside (I can't justify him getting wet in 10 below 0 weather!).  Out with the pull ups and in with the panties.  I make sure that I say "Uhoh you got Thomas/Mickey/favorite character of choice wet/dirty.  That's too bad."  Honestly, day cares know that they're part of the process.  Just give them a heads up and send extra clothes and plastic bags.  You'll be able to not ask as often.  It helps to have a toilet in whatever room you're in.  HTH

[lifeguard]

When we started I simply told ds a thousand times a day please tell mommy when you need to pee. We had LOTS of accidents those first few days but then he started getting it. At the most I brought him to the toilet every 2 hours if he hadn't asked recently. Every 20-25 minutes is not giving her an opportunity to tell you imho.

Sounds like she's ready.