Potty Training...too soon?

[HOMum]

We have a 16.5 month old little girl who is very knowing and very interested in the 'adult' loo too.

She is aware when she is about to poo and also when she has done a poo. (pulling at nappy, putting down there and also pulling out changing mat and wipes)

I often have nappy off time at home, she has the little girl potty book and so far we have successfully had many wees in potty and 1 poo. She seems happy to do this and claps herself.

Nanny bought her a clever little potty that spits stars out, if she has done anything! - this potty couldn't practically come everywhere with us though, too big and doesn't break down easily.

She goes to nap time with a fresh nappy and often has a clean nappy after her 1/2 hour sleep.

We haven't braved leaving the house without a nappy on.

Any ideas on what I should do next?

[TE44]

I don't think there is any set time, all children are different, I would stop putting nappy on in house, when she naps you can put a waterproof sheet under her. She's letting you know when she needs that she's aware, I'd take it off and see how she goes, good luck.

[minder]

Your little girl sounds very forward and only you can decide if she's ready for potty-training. Leave the nappy off in the house if you're keen and see how she goes for a few days.

16 month olds usually start to be aware of doing a wee or poo in their nappy anyway (pulling at nappy and getting the changing mat) but won't actually use a potty to do a wee or poo.

In my experience, even at 2 years old, it's still early to start potty training, and children go back to wetting/pooing, and you're back to square one.

Night-time training comes a bit later so you should'nt go by how dry she is at night.

[TE44]

I've found children come off night time nappies quickly once they are going to the potty themselves. often

after a few weeks the nappy will be dry in the morning. I would not put to much attention on the age,I am from a big

family and we were all off nappies before we were two. There were no disposables then but my mum always said,you'll know

when there ready when they start realising themselves.I did go with how dry my children were at night, and apart from a few accidents had no problems afterwards.

[The Nappy Lady]

Age is a guide but there are always exceptions. Children in cloth tend to train sooner - both my girls were out of nappies in the day by 24/25 months, but nights took another year. My friends daughters (also in cloth) the same, but 1 of hers went dry at night too within the same month at just over 2. I know of a boy who trained at 18 months all on his own, his mum was rather apologetic about it bless her!!!

I think your daughter is showing all the signs of being ready but I'd take a very relaxed approach and if you or she feel unhappy in any way I'd go back to nappies for a while.

It's so great to be nappy free, Im so glad my two trained as early as they did (& it wasn't a stressful thing at all).

Good luck!

[redwillow]

Go for it my son was out of nappies by 18 months he sounds just like your little one he chose to do it he is just about to turn 2 and a 1/2 and is now out of nappies at night too.

This is all his own doing I feel if they are ready let them do it.

I was previously a nanny so have potty trained 7 children and my main advice is the more relaxed you are the better it is for the child.

And if you are going out with a child invest in a pottet a folding potty and well worth the money if you get the more expensive one it becomes a toilet seat too