Is 18mths too early to TT???

[amlefa84]

I"m first time mum... and my DD seems to squat and make a bit of raquet when she wants to do No 2. My dad saw her do it today and he said she's obviously ready to TT.

Is she??? I haven't even thought about it yet? Are there any rules???:confused:

[Merla]

I don't think squatting is a sign of being ready, but it really won't hurt to start teaching her about the toilet and letting her go pant free.

My DD is 16 months and we started a very relaxed form for toilet training at 13 months. Basically she is nappy free for 4 hours + a day when we are at home, we have several potties around the house and if she looks like she is about to go or is doing something on the floor I pop the potty under her and sit her down. She is starting to get the idea, we have lots of accidents on the floor, but she is getting good at holding now days and can go 3-4 hours between piddles.

The key at this age is to not make a big deal out of it, if she does a wee or poo on the potty/toilet lots of claps and positive energy, if she does one on the floor grab a towel clean it up and say "maybe next time" or something similar.

[Boobycino]

Toilet training I think isn't like 'okay this week we'll train her'

If she shows interest in sitting on a potty or the toilet let her. If she doesn't do anything praise her if she does go off you'd rocker with praise ;)

Squatting though is easier position for pooping so she may just be working hard getting it out ;)

You can start a very very relaxed introduction to toilletting at any age.

But at this age they do not have the ability or muscle control to hold on and so toilet training that's negative based would be confusing and damaging (as in getting in trouble for wetting themselves) not that I think anyone would consider that.

[3'llhavetodo]

Apparently I was toilet trained at 18 mths because Mum, Dad and I were going on a holiday to Tasmania and Mum didn't want to take nappies so I was trained early. Mum always said I wasn't ready though and she had the devils own job doing it.

Anyhoo, if DD is ready try her. You'll soon see if she gets the hang of it. I think it's something the kid needs to be ready for and when they are it'll just be easy. Also #2's are more difficult to get the hang of.

[koshakee]

Yeah, I agree it can't hurt to let her try out the toilet or a potty and get used to the idea. My son has been interested for months (he's 26 months now) but we haven't formally started TT yet. He loves to sit on the toilet though and has done a wee on it once which we praised him heaps for. He's ready now to start, just waiting for warmer weather.

I've talked to so many people though who say they toilet trained their kids by 18 months and that back then (about 30-40 years ago) that was perfectly normal and everyone did it. Now days, most people I talk to say to wait so in the end, who knows. Just keep an eye on your child and see what cues she gives you as to how ready she is. I don't think there are any particular rules.