Is she ready to try going diaper-free?

[gracemamma]

DD is 2 1/2 months shy of her 2nd bday. I'bve heard that if you start potty training/learning before 2, it can often take past 3 to finish- not sure if this is accurate. DD has been peeing on the potty every day 1-3x/day. Last week she started using the big potty for peeing and used one out as well (just once). She has pooped on the pottyonce last week and once today and is fighting diapers- does not want to put them on. I've been overriding this gently because we have activities everyday but maybe she is ready to try some underwear and see?  Her closest friend is 2 and a few months and is diaper free during the day so she has modeling on this regularly. What do yuo think? Is it too early or should we try?  I figure we could spend several days barebutted at home before venturing out,as well.  Would love to hear recommendations! thanks so much!!!

[ElliesMomma]

why not? just be prepared with a diaper and a change of clothes and pick your "places" carefully. she probably will have some accidents in her clothes. this is how she learns. as for diaper free in the house, totally go for it. my son is diaper free most of the day at home (naked) for most of the last 5 months. at first we had tons of accidents all over the floor. but he definitely learned from them. nowadays, he tells us *before* poop comes and holds his pee until he sits on the toilet. we've had very very few accidents for the past couple months. i'm quite sure that they learn by the accidents. as for how long it takes to totally finish, i'm gonna bet that that refers to overnight diapers.

Edited by ElliesMomma - 5/28/11 at 9:59pm

[gracemamma]

Thanks! Great info! If you need to put a diaper on to go to a particular event or place  do you think its ok or a huge step backwards? I guess I am worried that this step is irrevocable and if she's not really ready, it could be problematic. though- like you I am on board for however many accidents it takes to get there. I just dont want to push her too much and aren't sure how to know for sure- thanks for your help and confidence!

[ElliesMomma]

see, i don't think it's a huge step backwards at all. i don't look at it like that. i look at it like a gradual weaning from diapers. like, my son gets a diaper during times that i cannot be inconvenienced by accidents. (i also have a busy 5 year old. sometimes i cannot afford accidents like at her recital when i'm sitting in the audience with toddler on my lap.) other times i'm willing to take the chance. but i have to tell ya, i didn't potty learn DD until she was 3. with DS, i started at 15 months, just trying to catch some poops. and it sorta snowballed from there. he's taken to it so well, we just keep going. from my perspective, it's not a be-all-end-all, but rather sort of a "money  in the bank" approach. the more "hits" we get, the sooner we are on our way. he's become acclimated to pooping on the potty. the more he does it, the more it seems like the right and normal thing for him to do, naturally. the less likely he is to use his diaper. 

i'm not putting a lot of thought into it, just sorta going with it.