When did you start to toilet and potty train your child?

[nickle730]

Both mine were started at about 18 months, when they started showing a great deal of interest in the goings-on in the toilet. DD was fully TT within a couple of weeks and rarely had accidents. DS was great with wee, but took a bit longer with poo! He was all done and reliably TT within... hmm.. about 6 weeks. Both of mine decided that if they didn't wear a nappy during the day, then they didn't wear one at night either! We were fortunate to only have a few accidents.

I would recommend that you wait until your DS shows signs of being ready. Like others have said, he needs to show an indication that he understands the impulse to empty his bladder or bowels. If you don't wait for him to be ready, you will both end up frustrated! We had an 'open door' policy for the toilet and yes, we did let the kids look at what we had done and help to flush it away. How else will they learn what goes on in there?? Following on from that theory, we never used a potty. After all, we had taught the kids that wee and poos go in the toilet, I think it would have confused them to then try to teach them that it ALSO goes in a potty. (And I didn't really want to clean out a potty if I didn't have to!) We used a cushy tushie seat and a step and it worked for us. When we were out I held them securely on the toilet and we had no problems, but obviously every family (and every child!) is different.

BTW, you might already be aware (I wasn't, having only experienced a daughter and nieces) boys learn to wee sitting down! My DS didn't start standing up until he was about 3. I think most people start boys sitting down???

We didn't use training pants, straight into regular underwear. I did try to stay home for a week or so while the kids got the hang of it. When I HAD to go out I took a bag with an old hand towel and disinfectant spray to clean up any accidents. Try finding someone with a mop in a supermarket with a toddler in wet pants and worrying about someone slipping over in the puddle you left on the lino!! Nightmare!! I only remember using the 'clean up kit' a couple of times.

Maybe try putting your DS on the loo (or potty if you're using one) prior to bathtime when he's nudie and check out whether he 'gets' it?? Good luck!!