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I currently live in the Czech Republic, and I have been asked a few times why I haven't started potty training my 14 month-old-son. Since I've always heard that potty training (in the States) starts at 2-3 years, honestly I haven't even thought about it! So now I AM thinking about it, and I need some info, please. First, does anyone know of a good website for "how to" potty train? I'm sure there are some "don'ts" that I'll surely "do" if I don't read up on the subject! (Did that make sense? LOL)
I saw an earlier discussion on training pants, and you mentioned something about a naked method. Hmmmm . . . care to elaborate? This is obviously our first child, so I have no idea what I'm doing. Any suggestions are appreciated! |
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For traditional North American thinking, yes, 14 months is very young for 'normal' potty training. That said, what people there probably do is a form of Ellimination Communication (EC for short, also sometimes known as infant potty training). It's based on the idea that even a newborn can communicate their need to pee or poop, the same way they communicate that they're hungry or tired. If a parent learns to recognize those signals, both parties can communicate in such a way that reduces or even elliminates the need for diapers. Infants can even be 'trained' to release on command using sounds, gestures or simply location (ie being held over a small potty for example).
I'm certainly no expert on it, I didn't do it with any of my children but I wish I had. I didn't hear about it till it was pretty much too late with my son. And then when the twins were born I found the prospect too intimidating and I knew I'd have little to no family support for the idea.
Anyway, there's tons of information on this subject on the internet. Entire websites with support/info forums, books on the subject, even online stores that sell EC 'tools' like tiny potties etc...
As for the 'naked' method, it's basically like it sounds. You leave the child naked from the waist down to facilitate the process. The idea is that a child is more likely to 'get it' if their pee/poop isn't hidden in a diaper or training pants. Seeing what happens when they pee is a good way for them to recognize the feelings that preceed it etc... Plus no clothing to pull down/remove can be helpful for a child in the early stages of learning.
It obviously does result in at least a few messes on the floor so this isn't the best idea if you have carpets everywhere.
Karen.
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I know several people who, although not really proponents of EC, have introduced their children to the potty at a fairly young age. For them this was just putting child on the potty (one of those little ones, which are common in the UK, and I think in the US are made mostly by Baby Bjorn) at regular times, like after getting up in the morning, after nap, etc., or when they think baby might have a BM (if you've got a regular pooper). The ones with the most success had girls, and I know that some people say girls have an easier time than boys. They started around nine months or a year, and were fairly soon able to have most BMs on the potty instead of the diaper, and the girls were completely day dry by two. They really weren't pushing it or putting a lot of pressure on baby/toddler.
Personally, I'm not sure that would have worked too well with my boy at a year, but at about two my DH started putting him on the toilet after dinner, a regular BM time, and that did lead within a few months to being completely day dry, without the fuss and trauma of an all-out PT push. We were pretty surprised that he learned so easily, because he really hadn't shown any of the "signs of readiness" that you will find on websites, books, etc. for readiness to train.
Personally, I'd consider introducing a potty, but would keep it pretty low-key. You have to do what _you're_ comfortable with, not those around you, but a low-key introduction to the concept probably isn't going to hurt, really might help, and then you can say yes, you're working on it. :-) |
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Thank you all for the info and suggestions! I think we'll probably go with a low key solution right now, just to keep stress levels down.  |
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Just so you know, the people I've talked to say that EC can be as involved or casual as you'd like. Many do it while at home and their baby uses diapers while in daycare, that kind of thing. It's not as far-flung or bizzare as it sounds and just offering the potty at certain times of day is a very common way of ECing, especially with older babies. They 'catch' what they can and don't stress the rest.
Karen.
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