Potty training tips?!?!?!

Hello everyone!  I'm in the process of potty training my DD.  She's 18 months old. And she's doing great!  I take her to the potty in set intervals throughout the day.  She gets the concept, she pees on the potty almost every time!  I also watch my friend's son.  He's 2 and just now starting to grasp the concept.  He's with my 5 days a week for 10 hours a day, so potty training is mostly done here at my house.  He's doing well.  He also gets the concept.  They both know that the potty is for and they both know what to do when we get there but, of course, we still have accidents.  And #2 isn't even an option yet......I was just wondering if anyone had any tips to help them recognize when they have to go so that they can start telling me.  I've been trying those cool alert pull-ups with my daughter, but they don't seem to be doign the trick.  Any suggestions?  

[deanne11]

Wow she's doing great for 18 mos.

My DD didn't get it until she was 2 and between 2 and 3, still many accidents.
As for #2....my DD didn't do it at all until she was 3 on the potty.  

3 yrs, 2 months and 4 days to be exact...not that I was counting or anything.

I always knew when DD had to go, because she would hide, and she would always tell me afterward so she could be cleaned up.

It was very frustrating.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of good advice, but I just wanted you to know I think it's great the progress you already have made.

[Facere23]

Thanks!  I was worried that I started too late.  My mother keeps telling me about how my sisters were all completely potty trained my this age.  That I was the difficult one and didn't train until I was 2.  It made me feel like this should have been done by now.  But I didn't want to start until I knew that she was ready.  So I waited until she showed signs of interest.  She hides too when she goes # 2.  I try to catch her, But she's sneaky!

[deanne11]

Yeah - I know...LOL
All the support of a Mother...right.

I get it from my mom too...LOL

You were potty trained at 1 and a half, you walked at 10 months, you were sleeping through the night at 5 days old...you did this, you did that...LOL

I'm like yeah and those were the days where belt spanking was accepted, and you threw me in the back of a station wagon with no seat belt....LOL
And you

[Facere23]

I read something in another forum about this 3 day potty training system.  I really don't see how possible it is.  But I could be wrong.  They say that you devote 3 whole days to nothing but stalking your child and sticking them on the potty everytime they start to go.  Don't know the details, or even if I should check it out...anyone else ever heard of this?

[kellym]

I DID IT!!! I did the 3 day... We were both exhausted. Be careful... It says pump them full of liquids and then  yes basically stalk them. WELL, don't use juice. I bought every fun juice box, capri sun and all I got was a 21 mo old w/diarrhea and a sore behind! I bought over 20 pairs of underwear and boy do you go through them. I did it for 3 days and gave up. Low and behold I left her alone and she gained more interest than you would believe. She potty's all the time on the chair when I ask or when she tells me. I still have her in pull-ups because with my 10 week old I can't totally commit to her 24 hr. full attention.
What we do now is put a pull-up on and then put the Dora panties over the pull-up. Makes things a bit more fun. I don't have to bribe or anything anymore. I got the Dora potty cover for the toilet and she only wants to use the BIG potty. Good luck to you!!

[mysty2001]

At 18 months she probably has known she is going to go for a while - does she stoop, leave the room, or go under a table - those are general 18 month old signs that they know and are ready - when she does this communicate let her know she should go to potty room and say 'mama"  she will get it - that is great

my son knew early when he had to go

but other kids they had to be trained - and they just needed a nudged!

good luck

[kierstynsmommy]

I am in the process of potty training my 2.5 year old daughter and she gets it very well...Shes only had a few accidents with #1 since May. The thing I did was throw all the diapers away and put her in big girl panties. She hasnt worn a diaper or pull up ever since. Even at night, I would put her panties on because she always woke up dry, so I have just chanced it and she has done awesome. Number 2 has been a trick for us. I have literally tried everything imaginable to try to get her to go poop in the potty and just yesterday (since training began in May) she told me that she had to go poop in the potty and sat down and actually did it! Back to the panties, she never liked the way they felt when there were wet, so I would make her take off her wet undies and put them in the hamper, we would go sit on the potty chair and I would question her and ask her where we are supposed to go pee pee at. When she would finally answer correctly I would give lots of praise. When I was first starting out training, I went to the dollar tree and got like 40 dollars worth of toys/stickers/candy (stuff she loves) and put them in a box in the closet, every time she went potty, I would let her pick out one prize, after she got good at that, I started to used a dora potty chart (had one made cause she loves dora) and she got to put a sticker on the chart every time she pee peed. At the end of the chart, we got to go to Walmart and she got to pick out any surprise she wanted instead of giving prizes every time she went. Good luck. My daughter was wayyyy to easy to pee train, its just the other that has been a battle!

[peekawho]

My biggest tip is that you are expecting too much, too early.  Girls do usually catch on more quickly than boys, but 18 months is very early to expect too much at all, even from girls.  If you are having pee success, great!  Don't expect a lot of poo success yet.

Our mothers did things very differently in the old days.  My mom used to spank my sister and I for accidents, and bragged that because of this, we potty trained very early, long before 2 years old.  It was a different time back then.  Now we know better.  

Some toddlers are ready at 18 months.  Not many.  Don't pressure them.