How to Start (starting with a 2 - 2.5 year old)

[SassyMummy]

So, how do you start Toilet Training with a toddler who's between 2 and 2.5.

I'm not going to start until it's warmer, but I figure it's worth thinking about now.

She KNOWS when she's about to do something because she hides behind a curtain to do it, and she knows when it's done because she announces it. lol.

I do believe she's ready to start trying, but I just want to now how to go about it.

Also - what do I need to buy? What to look for in undies/training pants/potty/etc...

[drewid]

I started just by buying a potty, explaining to Andrew what it was for, and leaving it in the lounge room. I didn't do anything at all to try to get him to do anything on it, just every so often we'd have a chat about it. I then started letting him have nappy-free days, and let him get used to the idea of not having a nappy on.

We had a few pees on the floor, and I just gently explained that if he needs to pee, he could sit on the potty to do it.

He got the idea pretty quickly and that was that.

I really like the no pressure approach - just give them the tools and the information and let them decide when they are ready.

Good luck! :)

[ButterflyMama]

I copied some of this from a different thread, cos it applies..

Noticing things like when she becomes aware that she is peeing, or is interested in how either you or your partner go to the toilet - these are signs that she may be getting ready to do it herself.

Perhaps make sitting on the potty a fun process - grab her some books or a toy and give them to her when he's on the potty.. also, within about half an hour after he's eaten or drank, put her on the potty, and you are more likely to catch a poo or wee! If the potty is a fun environment etc for her, she's more likely to respond.

Best of luck! Takes time and patience, I'm sure your daughter will show you when she's ready, just watch for the cues. :thumbsup:

Also, maybe you could Google EC (elimination communication)... I know that TribalBaby is a great resource (google it!). :yes:

Hope this helps

Jessie

[SassyMummy]

Thanks ladies!

I'm a bit scared about it TBH... but as with everything that's happened in the past 2 years, I'll probably find it not as scary as it is at the moment.

What do you do when you first start and you're out and about? Do you just have a nappy on them and forget about TT? Do you stick them in a nappy and go to the toilets a few times just in case? I don't think I'd let her just wear knickers to the shops because it would be terribly embarrassing (for the both of us) if she ended up just peeing all over hte floor...but I don't want to make her think toilets are only for use when at home - and she can just forget about it while we're out.

Are training pants a good idea...or just knickers? Or both?

We have a cheap potty from Target that I bought AGES ago... but is it worth getting a fancier one?

[2s'nuff]

Why wait until summer, it sounds like she is ready to start training now. I started DD1 by putting her on the potty for a while before baths. Sometimes a wee happened, sometimes it didn't.

When you notice her go into hiding, ask her if she needs a wee/poo and put her on the potty. And when she announces its done (in her nappy) talk about what big girls do, i.e. wee on the potty.

When you're out stick with nappies for a while, and once they are pretty much trained, try the pull-ups.

Cheap potties work just as well as expensive ones. One hint, when she starts #2's on the potty, put a couple of tissues in the bottom prior to sitting her down - it makes cleaning the potty soooo much easier.

Good luck!

[Oscar's mum]

Are training pants a good idea...or just knickers? Or both?

?


I think training pants are fantastic. I used them when out and about and at nights and used just normal undies at home.

[SassyMummy]

Ta everyone!

Hmmmm... so I have another question. What do you do if your child seems reluctant to give the potty a go?

When DD is hiding behind hte curtain doing her business, I often ask her if she wants to use the potty... and she always says no. Sometimes she even squeals/screams in anger when I suggest it. Is the idea of the whole "having to use a potty" thing freaking her out? Should I push the issue, or just leave it?

The reason I'm intending on leaving it a bit longer is to give her a chance to better communicate with me so we can talk about it and she can understand a little better, and also so it's warmer and therefore won't have to try and fiddle with removing pants (just lifting up a skirt or something instead).

[Melo]

The reason I'm intending on leaving it a bit longer is to

And get a bit longer use out of those gorgeous nappies you have? ;):laughing::laughing:

[bronny-jane]

we went straight to undies here... i was nervous our first outing... but she was fine... they havent wet their pants in public....

we have the potty in the bathroom near the toilet.. i made it a fun thing, when i went to the toilet , my dds would come in and sit on the potty... lol..this might gross you out... ever played whats that sound:laughing: ... i sat hey guess what im doing... and they'd pick by the sound... sounds nasty, lol, but it made my kids comfy, and want to do it on the toilet too..

we also used a sticker chart with dd1... told her about it, before i'd finished drawing it up, she had a sticker...

we still get accidents, it happens,... if your worried about public ones, take some spare undies... or use pull ups.

hope she's a quick learner.. dd3 is already trying to get on the potty:laughing:

[SassyMummy]

lol Melo... actually...:o Yep, I didn't fork out for these nappies not that long ago just to switch to undies.

Though my god, size 2-3 knickers are ADORABLE and DD already has 4 pairs...:p

BJ, that's an... erm... interesting game...:laughing:

Nah, it's not that bad... DD comes in when I'm in the toilet all the time. She gets quite upset if I shut her out. (She even knows what "pads" are "tampons" are...:o ).

Thanks for the tips... I'm a bit scared about this whole move towards toilet training!

[bronny-jane]

I'm a bit scared about this whole move towards toilet training!

lol dont let her know... im sure she'll pick it up quick
its not that hard... if you have problems just ask for more advice... my dd's liked being 'big kids"... they were toilet trained earlier than their cousins, and it was less hassle for us, they had more problems the later they left it... when i say later, i mean mine were 2 ish and 3 ish just a few months before 3... its a great time..
oh and dont worry about the communication, you'll catch on quick..and if she is recognizing when she has been, or needs to go, your already over the first hurdle...