Is It Too Early to Try to Potty Train?

Updated on May 25, 2008
D.L. asks from Cedar Park, TX
6 answers

My son is soon to be 16 months old. A little over a week ago he had diaper rash and we let him run around a little without a diaper. Needless to say he had to pee and let about 2 drops hit the floor then held it in while running to his changing table. My husband proceeded to give him a diaper and my son held it up to himself while peeing into it, I am thinking this is a great time to start potty training. Do you think it is a good age or too early? He is a bright boy with about 12 words in vocabulary including grandma. My only worry is my friend tried this with her daughter then gave up, then her daughter didnt want anything to do with the potty again till around 3 with bribes. Hmm... just contemplating

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R.W.

answers from Corpus Christi on

My little girl was potty trained by 18 months. I placed her in daycare while I was in nursing school, and was worried about being in the baby room. The daycare moved her into the 2 y/o class at this time, and she never reverted back to a diaper or anything. There is not a certain age to potty train, when they are ready let them go!!!!!

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P.B.

answers from Houston on

You could try, but you may be beating your head against the wall. My pediatrician told me that kids can start to get the concept at age 2. Before that, it is only the parent who is being trained.

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S.V.

answers from Houston on

I believe you should start when your son displays signs of being "ready". He obviously knows that he needs to be changed and needs to pee somewhere specific. My advice is to read Potty Training for Dummies. It'll give you all the advice and know-how you need. I recently just bought it because I was wondering when to potty train my 1 yr old. Obviously, i'm a little too early, according to the book.
Just a note, my mother potty trained me in two weeks just after I started to walk, which was right after my first birthday.
Good luck!

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U.

answers from San Antonio on

My DD was totally potty trained at 14 mos. We had to hold her on the toilet b/c she would have fallen in. It wasn't great for us b/c her bladder was the size of a pea and we were always running to a bathroom. This was her iniciative. She had amoebas when she was about 12 mos old and I was putting her on the potty to avoid having to wash the diapers. She decided she'd rather go in the potty after that.

I think it is fine to potty train him. You're just following his lead. My little boy is the same age and shows no signs of readiness. He's more interested in playing in the toilet. (I found his toothbrush there yesterday). But if your little man seems ready, I say go for it and keep it really low key. Take him to the bathroom when he has to go but don't put any pressure on him to do it. See what he does. If it doesn't work just let it go and try again in a few months.

Good luck!

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C.D.

answers from San Antonio on

I trained my daughter at 23 months using the methods from "Toilet Training in Less Than a Day", book by Arzan & Fox. Amazon has it. I followed it to a 'T' and it worked. Many have done it earlier. Lets face it, other cultures do it before the children walk. I had trained my older son with this method after much frustration (he was 3). I had tried on my own earlier and went through 18 more months of off & on. This method worked in less than a day for both my children. But, you must do it exactly like the book advises. Basically, they have you use multiple motivational methods at the same time WHILE making staying in a messy diaper worse than going potty. If there is no discomfort (especialy with todays super absorbant diapers & pull ups), then why should a toddler be motivated to change? A child being 'ready' is not a factor for this method. It is about you taking control and motivating at their developmental level. Good Luck!

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I.A.

answers from Brownsville on

I have a 6 yr old who learned at an early age too. Like your son he displayed signs of being ready. My husband decided to allow my son to watch him use the restroom, so that he would have the picture of where and how to go. You might have to provide a step stool so that he can reach.

Being that most fathers are a big role model to their sons, the child will actually want to follow the example.

Good Luck

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