18 months - is it too early to start potty training a boy?

[Ole]

I thought 18 months is really early to think about potty training a boy, but for several weeks now he has come up to me and started saying 'poo poo poo' and yes indeed there will a big poo in his nappy, so I'm wondering if it is suitable at this age to try to dash to the potty when he starts saying poo poo, or is it too soon? Could this just be a phase he is going through, or is this how potty training starts? At first I thought it was just a coincidence, but it is now obvious that he does know what it means also he does not say it unless there is a poo in there or if he is just about to do one, so I'm wondering if this is my cue to do something about it??

[BB100]

It maybe a good time to introduce the potty to get him familiar with it if he is telling you he is about to poo. However, I wouldn't rush out and buy pants just yet as the wee control can happen a lot later. Give him lots of praise when he tells you and encourage him to sit on the potty for a few minutes. Children vary greatly in their development so the best rule of thumb is to go with the child.

[sharls]

Hi - I would go with your child but dont push it. My first boy was nearly 3 and my second just over 2 and insisting on taking his nappy off and going on the potty.

[Ruth_Baldock]

We tried to, sort of, with Seb. He's says 'icks!' if he'd done a poo, and grab at his willy and look worried when he wee'd. Then he started pointing at the bathroom, and then a few minutes later, he'd poo in his nappy. We took it slowly but he would only ever 'go' on the loo (with tiny bum loo seat) if he wasn't pre-occupied. We had many 'accidents' (nappy off) whilst ceebeebies was on. Sometimes he tells us he wants to go, often he doesn't- we've got ages and ages before we really *need* to worry about it, but it's nice that he's got the idea in his head this early on- sort of gives us a head start with the whole process, I think.

[anna75]

Ruth, 18 monthers are normally able to do what you describe. My children were not as advacned as my best friend's however. Her girl was potty trained - and totally dry - at 18m. When her son came along, we all said "no way". However, ditto. Do these children just have good instincts or is their mother a training genius?!

PS they had normal - ie pampers disposable - nappies. Babies who have old fashioned nappies should learn earlier on average as they can feel it more easily.

[Saffron]

I have a copy of 'The Diaper Free Baby' that you're welcome to borrow. It's all about understanding your baby's signal that s/he needs the toilet.

I read of few chapters of it after Little Saff was born and decided no way did I have the energy for that. However, I do think that being *super* clued in to your LO makes it easier to potty train. You might find the book interesting even if you decide not to follow it's methodology.

xx

[kylie6097]

i worked in a nursery and found the younger the child the easier they took to it. obviously it depends on child and if they are ready but you could certainly introduce it and leave it to him to decide.