When do I know she's ready to really potty train?

Question

Hi everyone. I have a 14 month old is developmentally mature. She is at a 17 month old level... Every night before bath time she wants to sit on the potty but only for a second or so. Then throughout the day if she sees me go she puts her back up to it and wants to sit when I'm done. So i appease her and put her on. Today I went to buy her a little potty of her own but she really doesn't want too much to do with it. I'm not sure if I should start the potty training consistently or just appease her when she wants to sit on it. What are you're thoughts?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

i would either wait till she really wants it... or

just try to convince her to sit on it at times when the BMs are most likely going to happen... ex. after meals, morning, before bed, after nap (if dry and not soiled after nap)...

Answer 2

it might be that she's mirroring you...

but I don't think she is.... but its good that she's showing an interest.

she sounds smart  (babies are getting smarter and smarter... i know a 14 month old that can count to 3), so she should be able to figure out what you're doing on there...

Answer 3

Most kids will know when they're ready. Right now it sounds like she's experimenting with it. She doesn't feel quite ready, but she wants to get used to it so that it's easier when she is ready. Just appease her and when she's ready, she'll say something like, "Mommy, I wanna use the potty!"

Answer 4

There is so much wisdom in this advice about potty training.  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

The main thing you are waiting for is ability to "hold it" 2-3 hours which usually develops between 16-24 months.  Choose your time carefully to potty train, she'll train quickly, thoroughly, and younger than todays average.

Answer 5

14 months old is young, but it's a good place to start.  Girls potty train so fast, and I'm sure she'll be using her little tiny potty soon.  The more you bring her to it, the more she'll use it.  Reward her for actually using it!

Good luck!

Answer 6

When she can remove her pants and underwear/diaper by herself. Lol, the wait sucks. My daughter is about the same as yours, and she's 20 months but very bright. She does the same thing and I've actually gotten her to go in her potty 2x. But she's not ready cause she can't get her pants off by herself quite yet. So just appease her for now, as pushing it on them too early can set them back a lot. I can't wait until I don't have to buy diapers anymore, now I'm having to buy day and nighttime ones because her kidneys are a lot bigger than they were a few months ago and she's soaked her bed every night and naptime this week. Good luck!  

Answer 7

I would just encourage her to go, reward her when she does, but dont push it too much. Its still a young age and we wouldnt want her losing interest.

Answer 8

I'm in the same spot. My daughter is 16 months and very advanced hitting milestones very early. She squats when she goes so we always know she's going. Our dr advised us to wait till at LEAST 18 months, but really they should be able to sign or tell you they have to go. Every time she squats now I do the sign language and say verbal words so she can pick that up. We've been doing that for a couple weeks now. Hopefully she'll pick it up soon and we can start at 18 months. Right now she just nods when we say Potty? Or Poo poo? But she doesn't say it back or sign it.

Good luck. There is no harm appeasing her or getting her familiar to the idea of it. It's great for them not to be scared of the potty!