potty training

United States
February 7, 2009 10:18pm CST
So my son just turned 2 last December. I am so lost on the whole teaching him to potty train. We started buying him pull ups but he thinks that when he does go it is right before he says pee and then sits on his chair. I have no clue on a routine to go by. Should I put him on his seat every hour, 2 hours? I eliminated his milk at night. He seems ok with that, thank god. He is less wet at night time. For 3 days now, I have tried the every hour to 2 hours thing and he has yet to go in his potty. I dont think he has a full understanding what he needs to do on it. I have had him watch Elmo's potty video a lot, we read books about it and he watches me and my husband go. I feel so stressed because I have to hear everyone around me say that a kid they know that is younger is already training. I know I have to be super patient with him and I sit down with him and occupy him by doing flash cards. I hope I'm not the only one out there...
1 person likes this
4 responses
• India
8 Feb 09
I have heard abt this first time. Is there people or organizations that give such training. quite interesting
• United States
9 Feb 09
Not that I'm aware of. You may wish to check out www.diaperfreebaby.org . They don't necessarily do the training for you but there are support groups for this type of elimination training.
• United States
8 Feb 09
That's a tough one. It seems every child is different. We're potty training our son right now so it's pullups in the daytime and a diaper at night. He doesn't get anything to drink at night either, but he still wakes up wet. Our original goal was to take him potty every hour when at home but sometimes that gets turned upside down with our school work, or errands. So, we decided to just let him decide when he's ready. That seems to be working better. No pressure, I guess. So now he knows when he's about to pee and tries to go to the potty himself. Sometimes he doesn't make it and the pullup will be wet as well as him going in the toliet but he's at least connecting the two. He hasn't gone number two in the toliet yet-those are still something he's not sure when they are occuring, though he knows soon after and will say "Change poopy". Our pediatrician told us most boys don't really start potty training until three years so that if he's showing even a remote interest we're doing better then most. He's not even concerned if he's potty trained yet or not. So, with that in mind too it's caused us to be more relaxed, and our son is taking his own interest. We keep the bathroom door open (things put up), and his potty is right there by the door. It's one of those flip toliets so he can shut the lid and use it to stand near the sink and wash his hands. Keep up just letting him explore his toliet and I'm sure he'll come around soon. Best of luck. Anora
• United States
10 Feb 09
Thank you for the advice. I think I'm going to hold off for a while and when he is interested to sit on his chair then I will let him.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
8 Feb 09
Just be patient with him. Your doing all the right things but he may not have made the connection of going with the need to go yet. I would get rid of the pull ups because he doesn't feel the wet pants when wearing them. You might try taking him soon after he has had a drink if water or soon after eating. That is usually when they have to go. Try timing him after drinking and eating to see how ling it takes for him to go. Also take him as soon as he wakes up in the morning and after naps. those are the best times to catch him. But just be patient and when you do get him to go the first time the rest will be easier. Don't listen to any one telling you about other kids. All kids are different. They don't all walk at the same age nor do they all potty train at the same age so relax.
• United States
6 Jan 12
First of all, every child is different. I have seen boys that have been potty trained by age two and I once saw one that didn't potty train til after three. If I could just offer one suggestion, and some may argue with me, but don't use Pull-ups. Part of potty training is "not wearing a diaper" correct? Well the kids think that Pull-Ups are diapers. Every time I put one on my son, he would go potty in it. The kids need big boy undies. The absolute best way to potty train is to keep your kid naked. Yes! Naked time is the best potty training technique. Anytime you are at home and it is possible to let him run without pants, do it. When he feels like he needs to go, a certain little panic will set in. It's good for them. Once you start letting him wet his pants, he will continue it. One other tidbit.. put cheerios in the toilet and ask him to hit them with his stream of urine. He will always want to go potty after that.