Need some potty training advice

[oceanbaby]

Baby is starting to fuss, but I have two quick questions I'd love some feedback on:

1. Currently I take ds to the bathroom quite often during the day to see if he needs to pee. He does pee about 1/2 the time, and we have not had many accidents. When do I start letting him figure out when to go? Do I keep taking him until he says something himself, or do I need to back off and let him figure it out?

2. He has not yet pooped in the toilet. If I ask, he will sit on the toilet but not poop. He has been pooping in his underwear, no matter how many times I remind him to use the toilet or ask for a diaper. What should I be saying about this? I don't want to express anger or anything like that, but I want to get the point across that that is not what is done.

Shoot, now baby really needs me. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[ctdoula]

When we were first starting, I had to ask dd most of the time & bring her. It took a few months before she'd reliably (sp?) tell me all the time when she had to go. So, I'd ask him every hour or so if he doesn't tell you he has to go. Eventually, he'll tell you. As for the pooping, my dd did the same thing for months. I would just ask her where the poopies are supposed to go (in the potty) and bring her to the bathroom to clean up so that she'd associate the potty w/pooping. Again, she just grew into it in her own time. It IS frustrating sometimes, I know!!!

Good luck!

[The Lucky One]

Ds1 just turned 3 yesterday and has been in cloth undies for about 2 months now.

To answer your number 1 question, the first two days of potty training I took him to the potty every half hour. Period. Then after that, he just started telling me he needed to go or would run to the bathroom himself. We might have one pee-pee accident a week. He does great. I bet at your ds's age if you just quit taking him he would quickly get the idea.

Now question number 2 is a sore spot for us too. He won't poop in the potty either. I can tell when he's ready to go and I ask him to sit on the potty, but he won't. I'm not sure why. He seems really nervous about it. I've never shown anger, but I do let him know that it's very messy and that I would be so much happier if he would do it in the potty. Really, there's nothing you can do besides wait for him to do it of his own accord. : I've even tried bribing him (I am SO not the briber!) a couple of times. I know he so badly wants to do the right thing to get his suprise, but he just can't. I guess he's just not ready, but I sure wish he was.

[Ponoma]

Just wishing you all the patience you need to get through
this stage. You can't rush it even though some relatives
may think you should/can.

P.S. Thumbs up for Hanna Anderson undies if
you are looking for comfy ones (covered elastic).

[memory maker]

My ds was over 3 1/2 when he decided to go on his own. It was a constant fight until then. He is a very head strong kid who wasnt ready until he thought he was. I reminded him to go often, and then he soon got the hang of learning when to go himself. I think the hardest thing is not pushing too hard, because then they often push back.