Potty training: What's the best way to potty train a toddler and what potty do you recommend and...

[paperlights]

When do you recommend to start training? Here is the thing, my son just turned 24 months but he was ready months ago for training. He lets me know when he is going by tapping his diaper,  but I was told by various people to not start before 3 because before that age they can't hold their pee in for long and if you are out somewhere and can't get to a toilet, you are stuck.

Then, I read that potty training should start at 18 months and that the later you start, the harder it is for the child to get trained. So, I am confused. I would like to start now to be honest. Should I? Or should I wait?

Do I get pull ups? I read this isn't advised because it can set a child back, is this true?. What about training underpants, how do they work? 'When do I put him in those? I don't get it?

[lactatinggirl]

When you start entirely depends on the signs. My LO is 21 months and I just gave it a try over a weekend two weeks ago. She was super interested in the potty, but didn't understand the concept of getting to the potty if she needed to go. I decided to give it another month and then try again. Just remember there's no harm in trying at any time, just stay relaxed about it and be okay with set-backs.

I definitely recommend The No-cry Potty Training Solution. She goes over all of the questions that you asked in the book. Most of the things (like which potty is best and whether or not to use pull-ups) are more of a preference thing and she goes over the pros and cons of all the options. There's also an article on babycenter.com about potty training in three days (which is more just "learning to use the potty in three days" and then continuing to figure it out for at least three more months). That's what we tried just to see if she could get the concept.

[jcent]

I don't think there is a too early, and all of that "they can't hold it" etc is rubbish.  I started potty training my dd at 7 months, and now at 13 months, she can hold it a minute or 2, and does 90% of her poops in the potty.

I think the easiest way to train them is also the messiest.  Just switch to underwear, and get them on the potty OFTEN.  I wouldn't even use pants the first few days, or you will just have lots of laundry.  After a week, you will be well on your way, and then just use pull ups when going out etc.

[LynnS6]

Unless you EC (which is what I think the pp was describing), there are several things a child needs to be able to potty train:

1. Awareness that they are going/need to go potty

2. Ability to hold it long enough to get to the potty

3. The ability to let it down once they're sitting on the potty.

#3 is often the last to develop. If your son is aware that he's peeing, it can't hurt to try. Some kids are ready at 18 months, others not until 4. Ds trained (with bribery) at 3 1/2. Dd self-taught at 2 1/2.

I would recommend changing him always in the bathroom, and having him try sitting on the potty every time you change him. I personally recommend a small potty chair (we really liked our Bjorn one) so that the child has their feet on the floor. When they're learning to poop, this is essential, because they need to have their feet against something to push. My kids were also afraid of the big toilet (falling in, the flush).

When you're ready, I'd let him go without underwear completely while you're at home to build body awareness. Moving straight into undies can sometimes confuse a child used to diapers because they're used to letting it go when they feel something against their skin. After he's able to run to the potty and pee without anything on, then I'd add the undies. I would NOT recommend pull-ups. They're glorified diapers (and more expensive). If you have to be out in the early stages of potty training, then I might use them, or for naps. But really, why not just use a diaper for that. I don't think training underwear are necessary, but they do sometimes catch little accidents so you don't have to change a whole outfit.

My kids trained pee and poop separately. They were both peeing in the potty for a couple of months before they got the poop thing down. I just told them that when they needed to poop, they should tell me, and I'll put a diaper on. Ds did that and resisted pooping in the potty until we made him put his own pull up on, when he decided it was easier just to sit. Dd just waited until we put her nighttime diaper on. When she started going without her nighttime diaper, she pooped in the potty. I don't remember what made her switch, but I'm 95% certain it was her idea.