Too Young for 'Big Kid' Potty and Bed?

There seems to be a good time early, when they are very cooperative and willing to potty train. Many times we wait too long, and then they get stubborn and willful and won't cooperate.

I would say to run with it, and follow his lead... if he is wanting to be a big boy, just think how much you can save in diapers!

As far as the crib/vs big bed, how about getting a "toddler bed" and use the crib mattress? It is smaller, and he might like that idea, too. Some of the frames are pretty inexpensive.

we started potty training and switched to a twin bed for my daughter when she was only 16 months old. She did great in her bed, and she was fully day and night time potty trained by her 2nd birthday. 20 months old, is totally fine to start. Also I think the younger you get them out of a crib, the easier it is

He's almost too old for a toddler bed but he could move into a twin like his big brother for sure.

I don't think he's too young. Both of my girls were in toddler beds by the time they were 18 months (because they learned how to climb out of the crib, and I didn't want them falling all that way down!). They did fine. They were both potty trained right around their second birthday. If your son is too little to reach the big potty, how about getting him a little potty chair? Now is the time to do it, while he's interested!

Well, I guess it doesn't hurt to try! Take advantage of it, and then if he reverts back, no big deal. My daughter trained herself at 22 months. Like your son, she was always copying the bigger kids.

As for the bed, that one I'm not sure about. I would suggest wait until big brother comes home, and then try to put him in the crib, and if he does throw a fit, tell him that tomorrow you can set up his big boy bed. And offer to let him sleep on his mattress on the floor next to his brother.

Good luck!

My son went into a twin bed (with side rails put on the outside side, the other side pushed up against the wall) a little earlier than that and he did GREAT. He was an early walker and a big time climber, and he was climbing out of the crib around his 1st birthday. I put him on his crib mattress on the floor for a short while, but that just didn't work very well, as he would roll off it (which woke him up--didn't hurt him, but woke him, and thus me, up). So we just put up a twin bed and he went right into it with no problems and went to sleep at night easier than he ever had for months.

As far as the potty, I would let him do what he wants. He seems very intent on doing this right now, so go with it. If he stops being interested next week, so be it. But for now, even though you have to stop whatever you're doing to help him, it's less diapers to change, right? If you don't mind the extra work to help him each time, then just go for it all the way. What is important is that HE be initiating the potty use and letting you know/asking you to help (if/when he needs it). Eventually he will not need you as much, lol. But in the interim, he is learning to follow his body's cues and YOU will have less diaper expense, lol. My son was fully trained at two and a half, so it definitely is within the realm of possibility at his age. And he will grow so fast, that before you know it he will be able to reach what he needs to with the proper step stool (unless your house has industrial height toilets, lol). And even then, he will need help in public bathrooms, b/c THOSE toilets ARE tall! ;)

Hello, I think if he is interested, you should go with it. I would take his crib down and set up the "big boy" bed. I would also continue with the potty training. The youngest I have had train theirself was 20 months. The oldest was over 3. He actually had some digestive problems. If he is showing you that he is ready, I wouldn't curb that.
Good luck with your precious family.
K. K.

My DD is 16 months old, and already 'home' potty trained. She only wears a diaper when we are out and about, and even then about 1/2 the time she lets me know when she needs to go. I have to lift her onto the potty, but that's fine with me! Much better/easier/cheaper than changing diapers all the time. lol. The only issue we have is that she doesn't like to poo in the potty, but hey, she's young enough right now that I don't expect her to be 100%. The trick with my DD was to put her in underwear with an incontinence liner, and when she went I would have her sit on the potty for a second while I changed out the liner. I paid really close attention to when she was going, and I would set her on the potty around her 'normal' times. Eventually, she figured out what the potty was for. Lately, she has even been staying dry through her naps. :)

He is plenty old if he is showing signs or readyness. My son started potty training at 18 months, and was in a toddler bed at 16 months.

Sounds familiar! My oldest moved to a twin bed at 22 months just before #2 came along. My second and third sons moved out of their cribs at 18 months because they started climbing out. Definitely not too young for a big boy bed. Not too young for toilet training either. However, I would take his lead and not expect him to be potty independent very quickly. My second tried to keep up with big brother too. He ended up partially training at 18 months (poop in the potty all the time, but pee in diaper mostly), and then by 2.5 he was fully potty trained.

My son went into a big boy bed at 15 months. He did fine. My son started potty training around 20 months and he did have a few relapses but overall he did pretty good.

I certainly don't think he is too young for either - even he is telling you this! What a great opportunity to work on these things with his enthusiasm!

People thought we were crazy for switching our daughter to her own big girl bed at 12 months. Best thing we ever did. No issues with wondering, playing, etc. If she wakes up she comes straight across the hall and in bed with us. She's 2.5 now.
The potty training I can't comment on, mine has no interest yet. But I can say if she was doing what yours is, I wouldn't hesitate a second to start. Lol, i'm sick of diapers.
Good luck! =)

How nice that he got the chance to do a "trial run" for you!

He sure sounds ready to give potty training a shot. He's certainly big enough to use a potty chair, right?

If your crib changes into a toddler bed I would do that if you are not able immediately to give him a twin bed. I would continue to encourage this with your little one ... I hear but do not know first hand that it's easier with the second to accomplish these tasks.

Yes, you should run with the potty training, I missed my window of opportunity, and though he is only 29 months we are now on hiatus for a couple of months. If your guy can do it half the time, he's halfway there. Get him a low potty on the floor or help him up each time for his safety. Many parents have successfully trained children as young as your son and younger. All kids are different, even within the same family, and your son is showing you now. Unless you like the mess and cost of diapers, go for it!

As for a bed, childproof the room and be done with the crib. He will more than likely continue to emulate big brother throughout life, so while there's over a 2 year age difference, to him it won't matter ; )

You bet he could be ready for both! My son switched to the big boy bed at 14 months because he loathed the crib (thank you abusive day care provider. He can't be "caged" anymore or else major freak outs). My son also started showing signs of being ready, but alas wasn't. BUT it sounds like your halfway there. I would just put him in big boy underwear and spend the weekend at home by the potty. With him doing it part time all by himself, I'm sure he'll be fully time by monday.

not too young for either. I potty trained my daughter early, and she was in underwear at 21 months.

First things first, I hope your 4yr olds car seat is a five point harness and not a belted booster seat. If its the latter, don't let your 20mo old use it no matter how big of a tissy he throws. Its not safe, he needs a harnessed car seat.

NOW, both my boys were out of diapers by 18/20 months full time, day and night. We used elimination communication and it was simple and painless. yes, he's ready, go for it. :)