You can start young, but dont break the routine! (Potty Training Tips)

Member Name: ninacolada86

Product:	Potty Training Tips
Date:	27/11/08 (114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Saves money you would be spending on diapers

Disadvantages: Allot of work, and you have to stick to it.

My brother was potty trained almost fully by one year, so since I was not to be outdone by a mere sibling, I decided to have the same success with my daughter. After all I was hoping it would run in the family.

I started around seven months when my daughter could sit properly, and I would put her on the potty after a bath, naps, meals etc, I did this about 4 times a day to start off with, and without fail she started to do something in the potty, almost immediately. I would only leave her on for about 5-10 minutes and made sure to read a book or do something to keep her entertained.

I discovered that if I stuck to a routine I could keep her dry for almost the entire day, the best times to catch her was in the morning and after her midday nap.

However as most mothers know, it isn't always possible to have a potty handy, when you are out and about, and sometimes your other half isn't as faithful when you are away. You really need to be very consistent and even a few days can ruin everything, which we were soon to find out.
When she was about one year old, we went on a trip to Germany for twelve days, we didn't bring a potty, but since we were so proud of how easily she had caught on to the idea, we didnt see the short break as such a big deal.
Well much to our dismay, on returning, we found that it was worse then starting all over again.

Now that she was able to walk and even run, nothing would keep her on that potty, she was up and running, the minute she was sat down on it, with her stockings bunched at her knees, and shirt tails flying.

She is now 14 months, and while we have found ways to coax her to sit down, it isn't automatic like it used to be, while before she would not have a single poo in her diaper for days, (she would still wet them especially at night) now without fail she will hold out till shes back in her diaper, and then let loose...
Slowly we are getting back to the level we were on before, but even a half hour difference in the routine can have consequences.

This is a outline of her potty schedule:

8:30
Wakes up and goes on the potty

9:30
After breakfast goes on the potty

11:00
before going outside goes on the potty

13:30
after lunch goes on the potty

16:00
after nap goes on the potty

18:00
before dinner goes on the potty

18:30
after dinner goes on the potty

20:30
before bed goes on the potty

As you can see it is pretty often, but it is only for a few minutes each time, my goal is to shorten it to about four separate times like she was doing before and then to limit it to when she asks.
Already she says potty, and pulls it out when I tell her we are going to go on the potty.

We have found the reward system pretty handy, we clap and make a big deal when she goes in the potty, and she gets very excited herself. As for actual treats I give her a little cookie or raisins while she sits on the potty and it helps to keep her sitting longer while we read books etc.

I know it is possible to start potty training very young, I personally know a 19 month baby who asks for the potty each time he needs to go, but it does require allot of diligence and routine.
My goal is to have her potty trained by 18 months, this dosnt mean that I imagine she will be walking to the potty and pulling down her pants when she needs to go, but rather that she will ask, and be able to hold herself.

In some ways it is easier when they are young as they catch on pretty quickly, but since they aren't able to communicate fully, its harder to explain the concept of going on the potty.

Summary: A training that can be a trial.