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Though I know there are people out there who say you can start potty training as young as your son is (or younger), and who have probably done so successfully, I opted to wait with my daughter. At that age they may be able to learn how to use the toilet, but: Your daughter isn't walking yet so you'll have to take her every time. It will be a long, long time before she can undress herself, flush the toilet, or wash her hands when she's done. Finally, from what I've read and from what my doctor said, children don't have true bowel control until they are around 3 years old (in other words, you're always going to have to know when it's time to get her to the toilet because she won't be able to hold it). Not to mention she can't yet communicate her need to use the bathroom. (I guess maybe that part could be taught, but I'm not sure...I never looked into it that far.)

It's a very personal decision, so I would never tell you not to try if you think you know what you are doing, but those are my reasons for waiting. My daughter is a few months from 3 now and in the midst of training. It's going fairly smoothly and she's learning all the steps at once.

If it's possible, you might want to ask your mom and your husband's mom if any of their kids were potty trained that early. It could be something that runs in families! (I'm grasping at straws here, but you should ask them anyway if that's possible because they may have some insight.)

Patti
SAHM in SF Bay Area

While I don't agree with the following method, it's something you can check out. I agree with Patti in that they don't really have control until 2 or 3. I also think that it's normal for her to try to take off her diaper. My son tries to do that from time to time and I had a friend who had to duck tape her daughter's diaper on from the time she was about 6 months old! (she's 5 now and has only been potty trained for 2 1/2 years!) Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/

Anita Burnham
www.anitaburnham.com

Bridgette, by potty learning do you mean sort of letting them take the lead and let you know when they're ready, etc.? Because that's what I've done with my daughter too and I think it's worked quite well. Up until recently, it was her telling me when she wanted to try. We set up a little toilet for her around 1 year, and it mostly just sat there but she showed interest in it every once in awhile. At 18 months she even used it a couple of times, but then when I asked her again if she wanted to do it, she said no so I left it alone. Now that's she's come so far and even started asking for panties, I do have to tell her to sit on the potty sometimes because she still doesn't always know (or want to tell us) when she has to go. But I really think giving the child a bit of control over the situation helps. I always thought it was weird that kids got so traumatized over potty training and thought parents were being over sensitive (or not sensitive enough in some cases), but with my daughter I've learned that this is a big deal to them, I guess because it has to do with something their body makes. Hard to get inside those little heads sometimes.

Patti
SAHM in SF Bay Area

Don't worry yogamom, I really do think most kids learn at their own pace. I think people used to believe (and perhaps some still do) that early potty training was a sign of intelligence, and late training was a sign something is wrong. Doctors now say this is far from the case. It's really a physiological thing, but it's also just the individual kid. Just as some learn verbal skills early while others master more physical skills, etc., some kids take to toilet training while others want to take their time. They ALL learn it sooner or later.

Patti
SAHM in SF Bay Area

Patti -

Yes, by potty learning that is exactly what I mean! My daughter just turned two three days ago, and I've only changed one poop in a week. She's just now beginning to show interest, and yesterday, there wasn't much interest. But that's ok. Kids shouldn't be pushed into potty training if they aren't obviously ready. They can control two things. What they put in, and what they put out.

I let my kids control what they eat, by providing healthy meals and snacks, and since it's just the three of us 5 days a week, my son and I usually decide together what's for dinner. I did not let him potty learn, and he was 4 when he finally got it.

And when it comes to my daughter, I allow her to control what she puts out. She's not into the little training toilet, so we have a stool and toilet seat for her, and on occasion, when she's doing really well, she runs around diaperless. When she's super distracted and more off the potty than on it, when she says she needs to go, she's in a pull up. If she's actually going, but slightly distracted, she's in training pants.

I do use all cloth with her, and sometimes that gives an advantage since the chemicals in disposible diapers are ment to keep the kid feeling dry, so a lot of times potty training takes longer when you use disposables. Of course, we know that isn't always the case I potty learned in a week when I was about 18 months old. And around 4 months after that, was no longer having accidentds.

Good luck with the potty learning! It is so much less stressful to me as a parent because she calls the shots. I don't watch the clock or have to ask her a milllion times a day. I know the "look" she gets when she needs to poop, and the little dance or shifting in her seat when she pees. I'll ask "did you pee?" or "do you need to poop" If she says "yes" I'll ask, "do you want to go potty?" If she says 'yes' we go, if she says "no" I say Ok, do you need a new diaper? It's so much more relaxed!!

Bridgette - Activist and Advocate for Normal Birth
Mom to Jack (01) and Kate (05)
Homebirthing, breastfeeding, clothdiapering, non-vaxing baby wearing, sleep sharing mama!

No worries about the delay, I hardly remember to check in here anyway

Since you moved, you should expect that she regresses a little, as it's quite common after a big change like that.

Bridgette - Activist and Advocate for Normal Birth
Mom to Jack (01) and Kate (05)
Homebirthing, breastfeeding, clothdiapering, non-vaxing baby wearing, sleep sharing mama!