Ready to potty train at 14 months?!?

Question

My mom babysat my son yesterday and she took him over the her neighbor's house. When I came back the neighbor lady said that my son is getting ready to potty train himself. I thought come on now he's 14 months he couldnt know,but she said he would hold his crotch area and the would pee in his diaper and that he knew the feeling of having to pee. Also the other night we were camping and I put him in swim trunks with no diaper and he didnt potty for 3 hours until I put the diaper on him. Is this lady crazy or for real?!

Answer 1

I don't believe that children can potty-train themselves. My mother-in-law swears that my husband did, and my grandmother swears that most of her children did, too, but I just can't bring myself to believe her after having two kids of my own. I think that it was acceptable to believe this back when our parents were kids, or even when we were kids. A child that is ready to be potty-trained at 14 months would be phenomenal. Usually, children are not physically and mentally ready for the challenge until they are 2 1/2 to 3 years old. Do a Google search for "Potty-Training Readiness Checklist". This is an awesome checklist for parents that wonder if their child is indeed ready for potty-training. Don't be discouraged if your son isn't yet ready, though - I'm still trying to introduce the concept to my 2 1/2 year old!

Answer 2

It sounds as if he might be ready. Although I don't think he can train  himself; he will need some help.  I have known kids as young as 14 months who were potty trained, although it's unusual. I would suggest getting him a training potty and seeing if he wants to use it. You may find that he is really interested for a bit....and then gets bored with it. That's what happened with our twins. They were really excited about the whole idea when they were just over two. At three and a half, we finally got them trained.

Answer 3

all kids are different it is very possible he is ready, but it takes a while so even though he may know he has to use the bathroom, he still needs to learn how and when. but he is on the right track. start taking him in the bathroom with you and get him a potty chair. it cant hurt to try. Good luck (its not always easy)

Answer 4

Get a little potty out and encourage him to use it.  Although it is rare that they start this young it is possible.  It doesn't hurt to try.  My son started to show sign he was ready around 18 months, and he wasn't fully trained until around his third birthday.  My daughter is almost two and wants nothing to do with the potty.  Every child is different.