Potty Taining 101 - Rock City Falls,NY

Hi- my son also had speech delays and when he was ready he would just walk into the bathroom and wait for me to help-so I had to be watching him all the time. When she is ready she will let you know with some kind of cue. Good luck!

Alison, no, she's not too young. If she is interested, applause for her. Pooping takes time. I remember trying to figure out how to get my oldest to do it and it was interesting. One time, he was going commando (nude) on the bottom so it was not going to be trouble for him having to go and trying to get pants down. one day he pooped on the floor. I was not mad, but I told him, see that poop? That's supposed to go in the potty. He was going to pick it up (ha,ha,ha) and I was like, No, no! We don't do that now, but when you feel you need to go poopy, we'll sit on the potty. The next day, I just happened to see him focusing to go poop and I quickly picked him up, ran to the potty and sat him down and I said, "okay honey, go poopy" and he did and I was like "Yes!! That's it. That's where it goes!! Good boy!!" And he had that look like, "oh, that's where it goes." And he was happy that he did something that got him the praise and that was it. My second who is only 1 yr and 3 weeks younger pretty much potty trained himself by watching the older one. Now, it's time for potty training our third. He just turned two and he takes his diaper off when he's really wet. So, maybe it's time to try and knowing that it will happen, I am not stressing about it.
You mentioned that she has speech delay. Is she receiving speech? They have speech therapist who comes to your house (if you are SAHM) and do speech with her (or if she goes to daycare, they do it there too). She should be gtting speech evealuated and by now, she should be saying some things, really she should be saying three words together to form sentences. Don't worry, just get her evaluated and get the speech therapy going. My oldest had the same problem and my third has a little bit of that problem. My second didn't have that problem. Here is my suggestion, do the sign and take her potty. Do the sign again while going potty. Can she hear you when you call her? Can she hear you when you clap at certain distance behind her? I am hearing impaired and my parents didn't know until they had me checked because I couldn't say anything by 3 years of age. I was pointing to everything and demonstrated I wanted to drink and eat and foods or liquids I wanted. You may need to have her hearing tested to because that will be something they want to rule out for reason for speech delay. Talk to the pediatrician and they usually will get that set up for you and then go from there. Let us know how it all goes and Congratulations on your daughter going potty.

hay, try no daipers -- only diapers at night otherwise you are sending you little one mixed messages. it's a pain when we go to the mall or out someplace.. but it's the only way to fully train. so get rid of all diapers in the daytime. go with undies.. and try to stay home for a few days... then every hour put her on. if she goes,,,, clap and maybe give her a little reward.. we had an m&m jar on the back of the toilet.. they got 2 each time they went..and mine were only 17 months old.. but they loved m&m and knew they only got them when they went. pullups feel just like diapers.. so most people don't use them.. because your little one is going to know it feels like a diaper and then it's ok to go pee in them. brind fresh clothes wherever you go... and you said she has trouble communicating... try a small wave.. or something when you bring her to the potty... each time you go .. make this certain type of wave.. she'll pick up on it.. and will use it when she has to go.. good luck.. but get rid of those diapers.. and she'll be trained before you know it..

Alison,
She is doing great! Congradulations. I think she is more than ready for underwear, and honestly I think you should get rid of the pullups all together (during the day, most likely will need them at night). When I potty trained my 2 1/2 yr old, I didnt even use pullups to start, I went cold turkey into underwear and it worked better for her. To me pull ups are like diapers, they really wont refrain from going as much as they would when they are underwear. Buy some cute underwear in the characters she likes and she wont want to get them wet. As with the speech delay, I agree, she will whine and have her own way of telling you she has to go. Poop may take a while longer, it did with my daughter. Also please do not get discouraged if she has an accident, I mopped every day the first week I was potty training. Just reassure her that its ok and that she needs to do it in the potty. Also as for going out, if you can, keep doing the 1 hr 1/2 thing and bring change of clothes and underwear. Again good job and good luck!!

Hi Alison,
Two years old is not too soon. My daughter was two when we started and she was getting the concept of it and participating; unfortunately I had two boys that she wanted to imitate and got really mad at me when I told her she couldn't pee standing up like them. She was so mad that it took her another six months for her to give in. When she was ready I did the underwear, she didn't like to be wet so she quickly got the point. I mean quickly in two hours we were done. The pullups didn't work for my daughter, I only used the diapers at sleep time. I hope you have a wonderful time with her and that it'll be quick. Keep doing what you are doing. You are doing great.

Seems like you are doing a great job. She is a little young to realize she has to go before its too late, but this will come soon. Meanwhile dont waste your money on pull-ups. They are the same as diapers and cost so much more. The underwear works best because she will feel the wet and coldness. Also she can pull them down and go by herself, which will make her feel like a big girl. Be patient and dont give up, it will come. I totally agree with diapers when you are out of your house. It wont confuse her and it makes sense.

sounds to me like you two are doing a wonderful job. though I'd forget all about diapers. just use pull ups...doesn't matter if they are disposable or not.

she doesn't have to talk to let you know she's had a potty miss. some kids will come to you whinning that they are wet. pulling at their pants, or hiding. when you take her to the potty you could even signal "sss" for pee. but I can't think of a signal for poo. http://www.bornpottytrained.com/

I've seen some of these too ---> http://getantsy.com/index.html

I'm sorry I'm not trying to spam you. I just wanted to offer some ideas that might help you. I've been thinking about this more and more with my 16 mth old.

Dear Allison, It is very good that your daughter shows an interest in the potty. This is a good first step. There is also a maturity factor involved. The sensation to "go" must reach the brain in time for her to tell you or to get to the tiolet herself. This may take some time. You are on the right track but don't use underwear until she has got it down... You will have lots of clean-ups. Many children get the poop first. It also depends on how they feel about being wet or dirty. Do your best. Grandma Mary

Alison,
She sounds like she is doing great! I did the same thing with my little girl around the same age. There were some accidents but I played them off as not a big deal we can get to the potty for the rest. She went right into underwear during the day and a diaper at night. I found pull ups were to hard for her to pull off herself. If she is going to daycare or school, I would purchase a few rubber type underwear to wear there, just in case. Otherwise, I feel that you and your daughter are on a great path to potty learning.
Good work mama!
P.

Good for you! We did infant potty training with our daughter (best parenting choice we've made!) so I am a big fan of encouraging pottying "early" Just keep signing every time and she will eventually be able to sign. You can try making a sound too that she might be able to imitate. Just keep using pull-ups unless you are sure you want to go down the washing route. I really liked Imse Vimse training pants and fleece pants over (they absorb).

Just keep listening to your daughter, following her signals and your gut.

Good luck,

S.