Potty Training - Covington,KY

16 months is still very early, while potty training is possible, you shouldn't force it to happen. I didn't begin potty training my children until I saw signs that they were interested in it; they were trying to climb onto toilets, taking off their diapers when they were wet or dirty, they would try to use other children's potties, etc. Then I knew they had an interest and I also knew they understood the purpose a little bit. At that point I placed potties all over the place and just let things take their course. I wouldn't stress over potty training until the child is around 4 years old. Kids are all different and they develop at different paces. Some children will potty train early, my son was 18 months old, while my daughter was over 3 years old. It all depends on the child. I'd wait until he starts to show interest and a knowing of what the potty is for before attempting to potty train at all.

For some reason, 16 months seems a little early to me, but then again my daughter's only 13 months so maybe I'll feel differently in a couple months. :)

I did want to mention that my nephew is 3 1/2 and still isn't potty trained overnight yet. I'm not sure when they started working with him, but I know boys take a little longer than girls so if it seems to take awhile, keep your chin up. It will happen!

I wouldn't force him to use it if he doesn't want to. That's just going to make it a bad experience for him. He'll take to it when he's ready. Kids are all on their own timing.

Good luck!

Don't force it. Let him lead the way. My son didn't potty train until 3 and half. The doctor said that was completely normal. If you force it it will turn into a power struggle and take even longer. I found when I finally gave up trying to get him to go, he did it all on his own. Introduce it, encourage it every 2 hours or so and let it go. If he is not staying dry for 2 hours and saying when he goes he isn't really ready anyways.

Hi P.,

I have a 20 month old girl, we have been potty training her for a little over a month or so. We got a potty seat and just had her sit on it only for as long as she felt like it just to get used to the seat. We didn't want to push her or turn her off the chair. We now are in the "pull-up" stage and she is getting really good. I don't think it's to early to start getting them ready. Plus it gives them practice learning what the potty is and saying it, then when you are really ready to go full force with it they can be a step ahead. Good luck to you and little man! :)

P., 16 months is still early, you should never force the issue. The more you force him, the more he will rebel. My daughter was 2.5 when she was finally trained. My son however was ready at 2. I didn't even introduce it to him, but he did it himself. I was so suprised that he took the lead and wanted to be trained. I have always heard that girls by 2.5 and boys by 3 because they say that boys are harder to train, but not by my experience. I believe it all lies within the child. He will let you know when he is ready. It's good that you have intorduced it to him, but now let him make the next move. You will be suprised how much less stressful it is on the both of you. You are starting off on the right foot, but you have to let this event unfold on it's own. I do however think by 3 they should be well on their way, and if he's not showing interest by then, then you should do fun things with him like sticker charts, and rewards and so on and so forth, but he should never feel forced on the issue. Hope this helps, and good luck:)

i haven't read all the responses so i don't know if i'm repeating, but as a child development major i have learned that no matter what age you try to start potty training, statistically speaking, a 16mth old will be fully potty traind as a 2 year old(if you start at 16 mth or if you start at 2) they will be comletely potty traind at the same age, example: if the 2 yr old learns by 2 yr and 3 mths, the 16 mth old will be trained at 2 yr & 3 mths. so my advice intriduce the potty but do not force it, if you do you will have a battle on your hands and no doubt you will lose! just be patient he will let you know when he is ready! p.s. on average boys take longer than girls, the average age for a boy to be COMPLETELY potty trained is 3.5 (that means over night)

It's never to early to get them familiar but don't force the issue, that is sure to blow up in your face. I started my oldest at that age and it still took till he was 2 to get him trained and my second trained himself watching his brother long before his second birthday, my daughter was in pullups at night till she was 4 and I potty trianed my then 3 stepson in a week. But every child is different what works for one may not for another, but let him play with the chair let him sit on it and figure it out and it will happen when he is ready, and watch for signs that he is having to go and help him understand what taht means and take him in and show him what to do so he understands but don't force if it becomes a battle you'll lose and he'll be miserable. good luck and i was always told that a good time to start was when a child was making it through nap time with a dry diaper. take care.