Is it too early to start toilet training?

[Cass72]

My little man has decided that he doesn't like to wear clothes - nor, more importantly, nappies!

He spent the day yesterday naked and absolutely happy as Larry. When he did a wee he stopped what he was doing, looked down and then weed, grabbed his penis and said "oh, no". Now I'm thinking that because he stopped before he went that he knew that there was something about to happen.

I bought some of those terry training pants from Big W and I'm going to invest in a weeman so he can "stand up like dadda".

FWIW, the childcare centre think it's a great developmental milestone that he can undress himself and aren't fazed at all that he may strip off (I asked for pics to keep for the 18th ....hehehe!) and they are also more than happy to assist in toilet training.

What do you think? Any ideas on where to go to next? He's 20 months old.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

I don't think it's too early at all, DD2 can tell me she's 'burping' which is a fart or poo before she goes and has been copying her big sister on the potty, we have had a couple of wee's already on the potty.
The main aim though is no expectations, give it a go while they are interested and if they stop then no harm done as it's still quite early.

Good luck with it all, seems he's a clever little man, DD2 can undress herself aswell..

[Catherine]

go with the flow! Sounds like he is ready. (yay).

[Beach Mama]

Definitely not! I was 18 mths apparently when I was tt'd and would tug on mums leg to tell her I needed to go! Give him lots of reminders to go, modelling of how to go (my DS sits on the toilet, standing is a bit tricky and messy still even though he's been tt'd a while now) a way to go that is comfortable (seat on loo/potty) and lots and lots of praise! Good luck!

[Loveinamist]

My 22 month old started noticing he was weeing about the same time as your little man. He would wee in the bath or on the floor and say 'wee'. I had been hoping to go the child led slow style toilet training and subsequently got really confused about what to do because I also didn't want to miss the 'window' IYKWIM. So I just let him do a few wees on the bathroom floor when he did them, mopped up a couple of accidents on the carpets when he had nappy free times and did lots of talking about weeing LOL! I was certain I didn't want to start intensive toilet training because it went against my idea of a slower approach. So I ended up buying a seat for the toilet just in case.
So far he has done one wee in the toilet! So I wonder how 'ready' he was LOL! I rarely put him on it though. When I am getting him undressed for his bath, I sometimes suggest to him if he would like to do a wee in the toilet and he lets himself be put up there, we have a bit of a laugh and excited talk about weeing and then he wants to get off without having produced the goods!
I am happy with this though as I do still want to go the slow route without having to use stickers or chocolates or whatever (I am a big believer in intrinsic motivation!) He is only 22 months and apparently lots of boys are not trained until they are 3 or thereabouts so I am resigned to changing nappies for a bit longer! I guess this isn't very helpful as you might want to hear from someone who has successfully trained their children but I hope it helps a bit.

[nothing2lose]

I don't think it's too early either. My DD was fully trained at 18-20 months. Like your DS, she started by taking her nappy off. She didn't like the potty at all so she went straight to the toilet (she had a little stool and one of those toilet seat attachments). I think when they're ready, they're ready. It sounds like he's ready!

[teresa]

definately not! my DS has started in the last month taking off his nappy as soon as its put on or if we want him to run around on a hot day with just a t shirt and nappy on. its rather frustrating lol. we started putting him on the toilet with a seat attachement a couple of months ago. he hasnt done anything yet but we always offer praise for him sitting on it!

good luck!

[Maruschke]

Nope, we started toilet training DD at that age. Go for it!

[Cass72]

Thanks for your replies.

I think I'll just go with the flow. A friend bought a "weeman" for her little boy (it hooks onto the side of the toilet and is like a little mini urinal) and apparently he's taken to it really well.

He does like to wee before he gets into the shower (on the bath mat!) so I might start seeing if he'd like to use the weeman instead and then go into the shower.

Sniff!!! My little baby is growing up! A first haircut last week and now this!

[Emma09]

My DD is around the same age as your DS and is doing exactly the same things.
She knows when she is weeing/pooing.
But is yet to make the correlation that it should be done in the potty/toilet.
Now that it's warmer- she runs around naked a lot and I'm hoping she'll make that correlation soon!
Good luck

[boomba]

Never too early. I found letting my son be naked is the best way to toilet train! It may be a bit messy but it works! And who wouldnt want to be nekkid in this heat :P

[Cass72]

Never too early. I found letting my son be naked is the best way to toilet train! It may be a bit messy but it works! And who wouldnt want to be nekkid in this heat :P

Yes DH and I "briefly" considered it yesterday...... imagine if someone knocked on the door!